February 12, 2024: Monthly Reflection - Unconditional Kindness and Crafting
 Love me, Love my work! This month's reflection.picture of a red heart (made from yarn) on top of a white ball of yarn, set against a pink background.With Valentine’s Day arriving, it’s time for a little love! Valentine's has a reputation for being a couples thing; this week, however, we want to celebrate love in the form of unconditional kindness to yourself. How many times have you gotten frustrated for making a mistake? Weekly? Daily? Hourly? You've stopped counting????? We laugh, but it’s common for handcrafters to believe they should make perfect projects and to get frustrated when they're not. If we step back, though, we realize perfection's not only unrealistic, it’s kind of an oxymoron - things made by hand are often celebrated for their unique elements, many of which started out as mistakes. So, as you look at your work, we encourage you to love your handiwork unconditionally, mistakes and all, and be kind to yourself. Kindness is honest (a mistake is still a mistake) but forgiving. Your work is beautiful, mistakes and all, and you're fabulous for continuing to practice your craft! This unconditional kindness helps you bounce back from mistakes and learn new skills, and learning new skills is one reason many of us love crafting. Wishing y’all a little kindness this (and every) week! -Caryn and the Yarnivore staff |