We can no longer ignore how we’re spending our time. It causes us to stop and think about where our energy goes. We book the trip, meet that friend, start the crafting project.

Personally, I’ve read so many stories over the years of people who’ve made changes in their lives, big and small, because of something traumatic that has happened to them or someone they know. It’s also been a feature in my own life and a key reason why I work for myself these days.

However, the question remains why does it have to take something traumatic for us to realise what’s really important to us and prioritise that?

Life is short. We know this and yet it’s all too easy to get sucked in to day to day life. To all the jobs on the never ending to do list, but that’s not what life is all about. That’s not what we’re going to look back on fondly and remember.

There should be time for us and the things we want to do as well.

This is what I’m so passionate about supporting people to do. If you have creative dreams and goals. Things you’d love to do ‘one day’. Let’s make a plan for how you can get there.

Let’s use that sewing machine, get those half finished crafting projects done, dust off those supplies and actually use them.

As the seasons shift and we’re reminded of that new start energy this is the perfect time to stop, take stock and reflect. I’d love to encourage you to carve out 10-15 minutes for yourself. Grab a drink and a notebook and consider these questions:

What crafting would you love to do?
How are you spending your time now?
What changes could you make to move closer to doing what you’d love to do?

This isn’t about grand actions like quitting your job. It’s about finding time for you in and amongst all the things you have to do in life.

Is there a crafting project in your cupboard you’re itching to start?
Is there a craft you’d love to learn?

What if rather than leaving these for next year, we make progress on them now? What could we achieve before December 31st arrives again?

It doesn’t have to be big, but every step forward you take is a step closer to achieving your goal.

Keep showing up, keep moving forwards.

This is the crucial part. When are you going to take action? It’s all well and good having these dreams and ideas for what you’d like to do. Even having all the supplies in the cupboard, if we don’t take action, they’re just going to gather dust.

This is my challenge to you.

Where can you find time over the next month to take action on this crafting goal?

If you’d like some help with this, that’s exactly what I’m here for so please feel free to drop me an email at sophie@westplumstudio.co.uk.



Sophie is passionate about helping people prioritise their wellbeing. Realising they deserve time and space to explore their creativity.

She offers face-to-face and online workshops, events and courses. Looking beyond the individual workshop to the whole person.

Her aim is to help people spend more time crafting.

Sophie runs West Plum Studio, based in York. Her services are available online and face-to-face across Great Britain.

Find out more about West Plum Studio on the website www.westplumstudio.co.uk and on Instagram @westplumstudio