I've always loved wishing--throwing a penny in a fountain, finding an eyelash, blowing out birthday candles. I'm a daydreamer, and I revel in the hope of having a wish come true. Until now I've held tight to the superstition that wishes have to remain a secret. If you tell someone your dream it won't come true, right?
Wishing has been on my mind because today I'm adding another year to my age. Twenty-seven. Suddenly (to me) my age sounds so...(sigh) adult. It sounds like I should have my act together a little, like I should have some sort of plan for my life. I've always had a plan before. Get the heck out of high school, finish college, teach in Japan, get married, go to grad school. I'm trying to get a new plan. I'm trying to figure out how to turn all of the little things I do every day into a livelihood.
The things I love doing are writing and crafting, especially crocheting. My stomach did nervous/excited flip flops when I posted my first crochet pattern the other day. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the pattern on Ravelry with my name listed as “designer.” Me?!? One pattern doesn't make a designer any more than one step makes a journey, but it's a start.
And so today I'm vowing to say my wishes out loud. Telling people my dream is scary! I've been so afraid of what other people will think of me. Crochet designer? That's impossible, strange, or just plain silly. But saying it out loud, even if people judge, makes the dream seem a little closer. Somehow the voiced words make it more real. I've realized that blowing out birthday candles, no matter how magical, does not hold the power to give me the life I want. It will take my words, my efforts, and my determination to live a life that I love. Today I give you the very first step, my words.
My wish: To be a crochet designer, have a family, make a home, grow a garden, craft a life.
* * * * *
Do you have a dream you've kept silent, locked up tight inside? If you feel bold enough, I'd love to hear it.
My dream was always to have children - and I achieved that dream and am lucky enough to get to stay at home to look after them. My youngest starts nursery this September so I need a new dream now....
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday!
ReplyDeleteMy dream is a work-in-progress in a million pieces (aren't they all?), but it's to live more consciously. Your dream to "craft a life" really gets to the heart of what I want to do - fully experience the moments of life. I want to write poems, start a family, teach, and they're all part of crafting my life.
This was such a wonderful post; thanks for writing it!
Happy Birthday! When I was your age, my greatest dream was to start a family and my son was born when I was 28. I hope you experience that joy soon. You will be a wonderful mother. You are well on your way to achieving all of your other goals too because I believe that knowing yourself is the first step and you seem to.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday darling! I'll be 27 next Tuesday :)
ReplyDeleteYour dreams are fabulous. And I have no doubt you'll achieve them.
My dreams are to find a job I love that also pays well and has benefits... including mommyhood benefits:)
They say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
Happy, happy birthday Dear One! What wonderful dreams! You are well on your way there. As for my own dreams... I'm chasing some new ones that aren't quite clear to me yet, I'll keep you posted. Hope your day has been a lovely one!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping all your dreams come true. All I ever wanted to be was a mother of 5 kids. The reality is mothering is hard work (I'm glad I stopped at 3). Remember to let me know when that crochet book gets published!
ReplyDeleteOh, Allison..! What a beautiful post. Congratulations on taking your first steps toward achieving your dreams - it sounds like you are well on your way. Congratulations, you! And what a wonderful, wise way to celebrate a birthday. I love the idea of crafting a life, like you say... Perfectly put.
ReplyDeletemuch love,
-maria
Yay for you!! What a huge step to say it out loud. Your first pattern is great, so I'm very curious of what you are going to come up with. Congratulations on your birthday.
ReplyDeleteGreat post ~ Happy Birthday! (My birthday is today) I think anything is possible as long as you have energy and creativity. Never doubt that you can accomplish what you set out to accomplish!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a big dream. I have a general idea that things need to change but I'm not sure what my path will be yet. I trust that it will come to me in time. :)
Happy belated birthday to you!
ReplyDeleteI hope all your wishes and dreams come true. :)
I, too, have always dreamed of "making a home."
Happy Birthday Allison! look how brave you are...sharing your dreams! blessings to you as you begin your design career.
ReplyDeleteHappy (belated) Birthday, Allison!
ReplyDeleteJeez, I sure am bad at remembering birthdays! So instead of wishing you a happy birthDAY, I'm going to wish you a happy birthYEAR... I've been 27 for almost a month now, and it has been very enlightening (in a good way!). Cheers to your dreams! They are inspiring me to seriously reconsider (or, in fact, find) my own.
Keep up the good work! I'm looking forward to another year of "field wonderful" (cuz whenever I visit here, I always feel wonderful!).
Happy belated, girly! I hope it was grand.
ReplyDeleteI like your dreams. I'm confident you'll accomplish them all.
I've never really kept my dreams secret. They are so simple that I've never felt the need. I dream of living by the lake and having a garden. I can almost feel my toes in the cool water.
Lovely post Allison, congratulations on your first design and I hope you continue to create!
ReplyDeleteMy big dreams are to continue traveling but I also have smaller, everyday dreams....I want to live in the moment and not let days slip by unnoticed.
You listed it, you're a crochet designer, congrats! Don't be shy about your dreams, aspirations and achievements!
ReplyDeleteMy dream is that my kids become fulfilled and healthy adults.
As long as you keep those dreams in mind and believe they can happen they will.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest dreams came true - the biggie being to have a family and the next to be able to stay at home and look after them but I never stop dreaming.
Hi Allison, I have just stopped by from our beautiful friend Maria's blog Vintage Simple, and what a beautiful post to see first up! I love your dream of becoming a crochet designer, of crafting a life that you want to live...inspirational!! I am so sorry I missed your birthday, but very belated happy birthday wishes to you:) May all your dreams and wishes come true ~ Tina xx
ReplyDelete