Balancing Work With Work

Nursing vs. Crafting

When I was about to graduate high school I told my parents I wanted to be a fashion designer.  They immediately told me no.

This may sound cruel to crush your child’s dreams when you’re supposed to be able to be whatever you want to do be but this is the single best thing my parents have ever done for me.  After that I entered college blind but soon settled on health care. I wasn’t sure exactly which way I would go with it but then I decided on nursing. I had this great idea in my head that I would graduate college when I was 20 and then be set for life.  O boy if I only understood it all then.

Nursing is hard. Really hard.

When I went from working and going to school to just becoming a full time RN I had a bit of a reality shock.  No longer was I a college student..  (Even though technically I am online) But I was now expected to work long hours and carry a whole lot of responsibility.  I worked… I ate… I sleep.. And then what?   Simply I was lost. Don’t get me wrong I love what I do.  It is rewarding and challenging and ever changing but something was just simply missing. 

Then I figured it out.

After many weeks of my boyfriend recommending I find a hobby I though back to those days when I wanted to create things.  I then decided I would learn to sew.  Of course I had sewn in 4H when I was little and even made a sweet vest in high school but in all reality I had NO idea how to do it.  I got books. Read things online and then received my hand me down sewing machine.  I sew with a 1950 Singer that was given to me by my boyfriends wonderful Grandma.  This machine is a beast! I love it.  It is what got me started.  After finding the manual online I stumbled my way through learning.  I have come a long way.  I have learned a lot but I still have SOOO much to learn. 

In a way it is kind of like nursing to me.  Challenging.

Sewing is a wonderful form of stress relief for me.  I know this sounds crazy because any one that sews knows it can be very frustrating at times.  I think for me it is more of something to focus my mind on.  When I have a hard day at work or something is bugging me I can sew.  It challenges my mind and takes me to a different place.

I think having a hobby is important.  I know for a lot of people it is their children.  Someday I am sure that will be my case.  I am now experiencing a new challenge and that is balancing my time between work and work.  Since I now have my own business and sell things I have time lines on my crafts.  That means even if I am exhausted I must sew.  And even if I am worn out from crafting I must be a nurse.  It keeps me busy though and keeps me on my toes. 

Life is too short to be bored and this is one thing I pledge not to ever be.

                                                                  Have a wonderful day :)