5 ways 2021 has made me a Better Person + Self Care Printable Challenge!
As a follow-up to my previous post I did last last year, which I felt was something great for me to look back and reflect upon. This year, I actually felt I had expanded on a lot of things that I was just starting out in 2020, mostly for Pocket Yarnlings. Remember to read until the end to get the free self-care challenge printable!
1) Community
This was pretty amazing for me last year because I had so many amazing opportunities to connect with other creatives! There were instances where others reached out to me like for the Charity Amigurumi and then there were times where I reached out to other Etsy sellers like creatives who sold pretty stitch markers!
Also would like to thank Joy from Anvisgranny for the opportunity to join so many international amigurumi crocheters in her bundled Packs because it’s great value for you guys right and there are so many pretty patterns! Then there was Jade from Sweet Softies who helped me out with my Knotions collaboration ebook ‘Amigurumi Hairstyles - A Comprehensive Guide’ and for her referrals! These 2 women really inspire me to do more!
2) Connections
Now when I mean connections, I’m not just referring to the crocheting community like I did above but being able to collaborate with other bigger companies was just such a privilege. From working with UK’s Crochet Now, to working with US’s Happily Hooked Magazine to the amazing Jody from Knotions magazine, having a Hook Nook Feature, Oombawka Design Crochet feature and multiple Craftgossip features as well (including the random nerve wrecking home-made video interview I did). Not to mention Amy from Madeline Tosh, who was always so encouraging and had the most amazing yarn, which I’m still slowly cherishing at home lol. Now that I look back, I didn’t realise I had so many things going on haha! This was in the midst of toggling between work and looking after my little one as well… But it’s been such a year!
3) Company
Family time is the most important for me, which is why there is always scheduled and unscheduled time for that :). When I refer to company, I refer to the company of my daughter and my husband and the rest of my family, they help me get through the tough days, which can get pretty rough during this pandemic. Hope you guys are all hanging tight with your families as well!
Also, when I refer to company, I’m referring to the clinic I set up with my husband as well, in a tiny little corner of the East side of Singapore. Our patients are slowly and steadily growing, we have our ups and downs with them, from when they are dating to some forming families now and even helping some who are working through covid at home. We have learnt a lot of new ways to manage patients, often times involving the social aspect more so than the medical aspects and it is really very satisfying. There was even a Paddington Fitness Virtual Summit that we organized!
4) Stepping out of my Comfort zone
This was one of those instances that I would never have expected to do, which was film what I did when I crochet as well as film when I was at work in the clinic. It was done in Chinese which was nerve-wrecking for me because conversational Mandarin is ok, but full on interview in Mandarin was no walk in the park. It’s still so cringe-worthy to see myself on film so I’m pretty surprised I went ahead to do it!
5) Creativity
Making original Pocket Yarnlings designs is probably one of the greatest leaps I took last year. I had started off crocheting beautiful geeky characters that I loved and now increasingly what my daughter loves as well (she’s recently really into Avatar: The Last Air-bender so I do have a set for that as well lol). The next challenge for me was to create characters out of the blue using random techniques that I had learnt in the past. I’m really excited for the year of 2022 and what it brings! I have some sets planned already and as usual, too many ideas bouncing around in my head such that I do not know which one to implement first.
For Yourself?
As for yourself, think about these few points to ponder over. For me, I would always prefer to see the cup as half full rather than half empty. So 2022 should be a fulfilling year to do things you have not tried before, as hopefully we move out of the doom and gloom of 2021… Think about
What did I learn in 2021 which I had no clue about in 2020?
What did I do in 2021 that made me proud to look back on?
How can I make 2022 a better year for myself and my loved one?
As for myself, I think I should engage in more self-care in 2022 and since crocheting is my outlet of self-care, do look out for more of it! :) Do check out the 30-day self care challenge printable below and you will also find crocheting does pop up quite a lot….
Guys let me know about your 2021 (positive vibes only please because I’m really all about that!) and what you would love to do more of in 2022? Bring the new year on!
