I hear you! Post-Holiday let down I guess.

I haven't sewn anything for a week! I think that we all need to take a break, especially after the pre-Christmas rush to get things done.

I am right there with you. I always feel down this time of year. I have had an especially hard holiday season as I lost my mom very suddenly a week before Thanksgiving.
I have way too many "want to make" projects sitting around that I can not seem to pick a starting place!
I am not familiar with your part of the world. Does spring help you? It always does for me.

Well, the rain doesn't help. When it is cloudy & snowy here, I just want to cuddle up in a big easy chair with a cup of hot choclate and read a good book. It also seems like after Christmas with all the husle & bustle, we are let down when it is all over. You are not the only one, Just spend a few days doing what you want to do & if that means sitting and doing nothing, so be it. Look forward to a brighter and more energenic New Year. Hugs

I can't get motivated either I have a couch sitting on my craft table for year now that I am recoving and I just can't seem to get back to it I am only good under pressure but I hope before spring I have it done

You are definitely not the only one - I can't seem to settle on anything to start. Got a few ideas and some stash but action isn't going anywhere!

The after Christmas blaas have hit me too...but I have been two days trying to tidy up my closet that houses Christmas deco...What a mess..too much..alot going to the thrift shop. If I didn't put it out this year, it is gone! Can't wait until I can make it in to my sewing room...right now the door is blocked with boxes.

ditto! I think we all go through that at some time or another. Sometimes it is worse after Christmas, esp. if the holiday didn't turn out like we expected.

Yep...know the feeling. I also feel guilt ridden if I haven't accomplished something, or been working flat out. Today I'm a bit perkier, so maybe I'll get some piecing done.

Would really appreciate some rain, so send some of yours if you can! I'm suffering from "bucket back" trying to keep my plants alive.

You are not the only one. If you are like me, you probably have had it happen before. Cut yourself the necessary slack. Remember, everyone goes through it, everyone feels unproductive and thinks about all they could, should, or need to do. But this to shall pass. In the meantime, you can do other things that need to be done like spend time with those you love. Take care.

You're not alone & I think the weather has a lot to do with it, at least for me, snow , snow & more snow. Need sunshine & warm weather.

I understand how your feel when its dreary and rainy. The doldrums have a tendency to creep up on me as well. I am truly a solar-powered woman and have not enthusiasm, energy or desire to move when it's been gray for too long! We just had a few sunny days after 8 days of rain and I was able to pull out some fabric and begin a new project. HooRay!!

Hi I'm from So CA too and it rains rains and rains lately. Also, I think the downs have something to do with running out of cookies and candies to eat. I never can have that in the house but during the holidays, there is a lot of that to eat. So after hi-sugar intake, there is a let-down. We seem to be sleeping a lot later too. Maybe we are just getting older and tirder.

Jump on board and do the NYE mystery quilt project. If you need the link, let me know and I'll send it. Only 4 fabrics and lots of good sewing. Absolutely loved last years project and am looking forward to this years. Maybe that will pull me out of the doldrums or I feel sorry for myself time.

Feel the same let down.

Had the same feeling today after all the family left. I was watching TV in my sewing room and thought,"If I'm sitting, I should be doing something." But my sewing room was so clean and so straight (prepared for company) I just couldn't bring myself to make a mess so I started making yo-yo's for someone on this Bd who has requested them. at least my fingers were busy...I gave my machine a much-needed rest. One things for sure, quilters don't stay idle long.

Wish I could. We were in the same position earlier this year. We were in WA last April/May and it was sad to see it so dry, though it did pour down in Fremantle one morning.

This expresses very well exactly what I have been thinking. I am involved in 3 or 4 new projects (2 quilting, 1 sewing, and one organizational), but I don't feel any pressure to get anything done immediately like I have the last 4 months. It's actually kind of nice!

You are not the only one - I refer to it as my annual Christmas depression - this year it came after the day --- usually it comes before. Relax, brew a cup of tea and everything will be OK in a day or so.

you are definitely not the only one! Believe me! I've taken on a project that makes me think I've bitten off more than I can chew. It's a fan quilt for each of the twin beds in my guest room, and it involves A LOT of applique! Now, I like applique, but I'll be appliqueing until I'm in my 90's! (I'm gonna be 70 in a couple of weeks). I think that's why I'm at a standstill. Take heart - this too shall pass.

Happy New Yeaar!!

quiltin' nana

Your not alone.

It is the let down from having everyone home and the rush to get everything ready and then there is quiet, quiet, and quiet. You add in the weather-ice, snow and cold. It is a long time till April. This to will pass. Spring does come every year. I just bought some new fabric on sale and committed myself to several projects that will be in a swap here. I like getting something from someone not knowing what it will be. I appreciate the creativity and skill of others because I know the work that goes into making something with fabric. Cheer up!!As my father would have said, Being alive beats the alternative. As you watch the rain, remember it is filling the watertable and will bring newlife in the spring.

I get that way too! I think it is a combination of the letdown from Christmas, so much going on for weeks and then it's all over and the dreary rain. I live in rainy gray Oregon (January, Feb and March) so I understand perfectly. I know we will get over it and back to our love of sewing!! Hang in there :lol: :lol: :lol:

I think the BLUES hits every one some time or other . with to days pace of life we forget how to do nothing.soooooooo in the morning sit down watch TV / read a book/ listen to the radio or just sit and do NOTHING.I`ll bet after not to long you will be soooooo bored you will click into gear and off you will go again .This works for me every time.It is`nt a crime to do nothing you know.Hope you soon feel better. Hugs to you .

"Today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."

It is really amazing to me to read all the different replys as to conditions in different locatiobs. Here in Texas we usually always want rain, early in the spring this year we received 15 inches in one day, it caused some flooding but nothing terrible..today, it is so dry. On Christmas Eve we were at my Sisters...and it started to rain, we all went into the garage; opened the garage door and clapped and were so excited...I guess only people who has experienced a dough can understand our happiness.

Try using some positive words. I've read, depression, doldrums, the blues but to name a few. We should all be glad to be alive and have all the wonderful friends on this forum.
If the cloudy weather gets you down shut the blinds ( or whatever) turn on a bright light and tell yourself it's sunny inside your heart.
I found myself feeling down & negative in the early 90's and my attitude was giving me the willies. I decided I was the only one who could make me feel better so decided that whenever anyone asked how I was, I would say "great" even if I wasn't.It was amazing how soon I started feeling much better. As my daughter said "fake it till you make it" These days I always try to find something to be grateful for in every situation. As someone said on Christmas day " let's play the glad game". That brought back happy memories as Pollyana was one of my favorite movies when I was growing up.Maybe because I liked Hayley Mills so much, still do.
I hope everyone is feeling much better soon. BTW I live in Brisbane so have had the rain too. While I feel despair for all those suffering flooding I won't curse the rain as not too long ago we almost ran out of water and I said I'd always be glad to see the rain when it came.
I hope I don't sound pompous, I just realize I am the mistress of my own happiness.
I'd like to wish everyone a very safe & Happy New Year and Happy Quilting in 2011.

Well said Katesnanna, sometimes it is good to be reminded of this.

I am going in to see my doctor on Friday to get meds for depression. The stress of the season got to me this year and all I want to do is sleep. The snow and cold we have doesn't help either.

I do this sort of thing too. It helps to feel that "things are in place", I absolutely dont like chaotic surroundings, or disorganized "stuff", my DH calls this "piddling", but I have been piddling with him for 51 years, so guess he is willing to put up with my stuff. :D

Does it matter that it's the perfect project or the project that turns you on? As long as it's a project, do it. As long as a project gets me off my butt when I'm feeling like you and gets me moving, I do it, and I don't care what it is. I don't care if it's cutting strips from my leftovers or dusting the living room furniture. As long as it gets me up and moving I do it. It's still decorated for Christmas here. I usually get the way you are when the Christmas music stops and all of the decorations are away and the true bareness of winter hits me. Then I need to get up and get myself going. I've signed up for several quilting classes this winter through March. That'll help. It's a matter of day by day doing little things to get me moving and get me through the day until I see a blossom or two for spring. Do you read? Read a book. I could go on and on, but the problem is I have to do it. Nobody can do it for me.

The secret, I think, is that we each have a choice when we wake up to be happy or sad. I know it's hard to put on a happy face sometimes, but I get up, take my shower, put on some makeup, fix my hair and all of a sudden I feel better! Try to do something that makes you happy - I call a friend or neighbor who I think might be feeling the same way, and all of a sudden, we're cheering each other up! Try it, you might like it!

Such an awesome post!! :thumbup: :thumbup:

Further to yesterdays post:- I've been thinking of all the quilting sisters(and maybe brothers too) who are feeling down or can't get motivated.
I have times when I can't get motivated (sometimes a couple of months) and do understand where you are all coming from but on giving it some thought I think we sometimes put too many demands on ourselves and our quilting.
Most of us on here, I think, quilt for the love of it. A lot of us, me included, have stashes that we will never use up in one lifetime of quilting. Hence we turn what started out as a hobby and a pleasure into something more demanding.
I used to worry about not using it all before I die but have given DD & DH instruction of what to do with it and now realize I don't need to worry because I won't be here. That's solved that. Now I can quilt or not quilt as I choose.
When I can't get motivated I move on to something else, knitting, reading,embroidery, visiting friends. Although I have been retired for 8 1/2 years I still have to remind myself that it is alright to simply sit & do nothing, "no guilt/quilt required". {Have you ever noticed there is only the tail of one letter difference between guilt & quilt}.
Eventually my machines call me back. If I start some machine embroidery it doesn't take long for the motivation for a new quilt to arrive.
Anyway I hope everyone is feeling better today. Life is just returning to normal. As John Lennon so aptly sang "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans".
I wish everyone a wonderful day.
Smiles
Jude