Leaning to Sew Helped me Discover who I really am after 40 : Sewing Changed my Life Outlook

After 40 I had a physical decline from doing Cross fit training and running for 20+ years and over 30 years in the service industry in a physically demanding position to being unable to stand for long on most days, I had to search for self validation. Circumstance and frustration led down a dark path where I had rediscovered my old making and creative skills. I turned it into a way to care for my family and contribute in the only way I could when COVID shut down the world. Through all of this, the self reflection and acceptance of my capabilities and limitations left me with a way out of the prison my mind and life felt like it had taken. Through learning how to craft clothing, spin and dye wool, making jewelry and making bags, I found what really makes me happy and satisfied and working with my hands is definitely it. The major bonuses are the environmental impacts and fair wages for all makers needs to be regulated and enforced. I learned to sew clothing after 40 and I did it watching YouTube videos and playing around with random mystery fabric bundles and learning fabric types, interfacing, patterns and most importantly, the machine and what it's capable of, and learning about myself and what I am capable of. But more than that, figuring out what you would like to make won't happen until the learning starts and you start your journey to your own self. Is it frustrating, YES but, is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY