I’ve put my foot down and started spending the time I need to spend to be reasonably satisfied in my crafty endeavors. I feel a little guilty putting the dishes off until I’ve finished another square (or doing them in the morning!), but that square is important. It is an expression of skill and craft that is worthy of your time and care.

Like many people, I’m pretty bad about making time for myself. There are kids and chores and social obligations filling the day. I’ve learned, though, that taking a bit of that precious time to work on a project brings such rich rewards that it’s worth it. It brings me peace, it helps center me to meet other challenges, it brings on a sense of accomplishment, and it’s just plain beautiful, both during the process and in the finished project.

I’ve started to guard my crafting time, even if all I can carve out is a round of ribbing on a sock or a pattern repeat on a scarf. It’s these little things that add to the day far more than they steal in mere minutes. Time is precious, and so are the things that bring you joy. Keep them close.