The stash busting challenge for January was to inventory all my yarn. I thought that couldn't be too hard. It's just the tote under the bed and the basket in the corner. Oh, and the smaller basket in the corner... and the big basket in the closet... and the yarn in the secret stash by the couch... and all the loose skeins on the bookshelf.
Gathering all my yarn together was probably the more difficult part of the inventory challenge. Not to mention the actual inventory data (which I did not do). That's what my day job is, and I would rather let my yarn be more free form than my usual metadata creation and subject-assigning. Still, it was extremely beneficial to see all my fiber in one place. To really see the mountain of it and understand that I absolutely have enough yarn to keep my crocheting steady while also participating in a no-buy year for yarn and other craft items.
So in January, I really had two challenges:
- Don't buy yarn
- Look at all the yarn I already have
Looking back from the first week of February, I'm pretty proud of myself. My yarn balls are now organized by fiber content, still in several places, but I know exactly where each of them are.
This year, I find myself thinking on consumerism often, and how the want/need to amass More can stem from the things we see online. The "lives" we see only glimpses of and then want for ourselves.
When I first started selling on Etsy (yikes), the Seller's Guide had great tips on creating enticing photos. It said that you, as a seller, aren't just marketing the item you have on offer; you're selling the idea of it. You're selling the aesthetic and the presumptions that tag along with what you're making. It's great advice, especially since once you know it, you see it everywhere.
You aren't just buying a claw clip or a specific nail color, you're buying into the idea that you'll become the kind of person who has these things.
With crafting this happens really easily. What I'm seeing more of now is a move away from trends and away from the accumulation of new things. Granted, this could be because I'm engaging with this kind of content more than haul videos. But with a so-called "trend" like underconsumption core, I'm inclined to believe it's more than just my circle who want this change.
A shift toward gratitude and appreciation for what is already here is an amazing way to change your life for the better. It's easy to say, and sometimes harder to practice, but a silent "thank you" to all the things that make your day easier really makes you feel like a pampered queen.
Well, for me at least 🙃
This guy, Aki, reminds me to be grateful and appreciative every day. You might enjoy his videos too
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