motivation

When No One Notices

I’ve been reflecting a lot lately on the strange pressures of living a creative life online.

In the weaving world, there’s so much inspiration to be gleaned – endless projects, beautiful photos, clever ideas. It’s wonderful, but it can also creep up on you in ways you don’t expect. Sometimes it feels like there’s an unspoken rule: keep producing, keep sharing, keep impressing. You need to do something new! If you don’t? You fall behind and get forgotten.

Of course, no one says this out loud. But that’s how it can feel.

I’ve found myself getting stuck in this mindset more than I’d like to admit. I catch myself thinking:

“I need to have something new to show. Something exciting, something impressive. Otherwise, why would anyone pay attention?”

And when I do share something I’ve made that I was excited about and it lands quietly, with hardly a comment or a like… it gets under my skin more than I want it to. I start questioning the work itself:

“Was it not good enough? Was it boring? Did I waste my time? Have I lost my creative spark?”

Even worse than that, my original thoughts and excitement about the piece change. Because, if no one likes it, if it’s not popular it’s less valid, right? 🤔

It’s not just about weaving, either.

I’ve noticed this happening in other parts of my life too, most recently with my health. This year I’ve been working consistently on some major changes. Eating better, moving more, taking care of myself, prioritising my health and getting stronger.

I’ve lost some weight, I feel stronger and healthier, but – hardly anyone has said a word. No “You’re looking great!” or “You seem really well!” Not even from people close to me. Literally the only person to have notice the changes is my husband.

And honestly? It’s made me question whether the effort is even worth it.

It shouldn’t be that way. I know it shouldn’t. We’re supposed to be motivated by our own progress, our own joy in the process. I am proud of the changes I’ve made, both in my weaving and in my health. But I’ve realised how easy it is to get tangled up in needing recognition to feel like something counts.

When something goes unnoticed, it’s tempting to think it wasn’t valuable. It can be so hard to keep going, keep striving for improvement when you feel alone in it.

But that’s not true.

Some of the most meaningful work we do – in creativity, in health and in life happens quietly, without applause.
The growth, the learning, the persistence, the small daily choices still matter. Even when no one notices.

I’m sharing this because I suspect I’m not alone in feeling this way. If you’ve ever poured time into a weaving project and wondered why it didn’t get more attention. If you’ve ever made positive changes and felt deflated when no one cheered you on – please know this:

It’s normal to want encouragement. But it’s also possible to keep going without it.

It could be helpful to examine your own sources of motivation and purpose. I’ll use weaving and health as some examples in my own case:

MOTIVATION 1 – WEAVING

My desire to weave began with a fascination but there are other factors that have made me remain a weaver rather than giving up.

I feel called to spread beauty throughout the world.
Using my hands to create brings me joy and stillness
I love to help others
Weaving feels very special and unique to me
I love giving handmade gifts

MOTIVATION 2 – HEALTH JOURNEY

I love to feel as physically well as I possibly can
Being overweight is unpleasant and slows me down
I don’t want my auto immune disease to dominate my life
As I age I want to gain strength and be capable
I like my clothes to feel comfortable and I want to feel good in my own body
Being healthy and exercising is great for my mental health

For me, this is a lesson in finding deeper motivation. Not the quick hit of approval, but the steady satisfaction of knowing I’m moving in the right direction for me. That’s what really matters.

Weaving has always taught me patience. It’s teaching me this lesson too.

Thanks for reading. I hope this article resonates with you and helps you to think through your own perceptions in a positive way.

So, tell me. Have you ever felt this way? Perhaps, like me, it’s something that you struggle with frequently? Drop me a comment down below to share your experience ⬇️

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

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Fallen out of love with weaving?

by Kelly 1 Comment

If you’re feeling uninspired by your weaving lately — or wondering where the passion went, know that you’re not alone. Every creative journey has its ebbs and flows. You’re just not feeling it lately, I get it. But does this mean that you have fallen out of love with weaving?

I want to assure you that it’s very natural to have periods of time where you just don’t feel motivated to weave. For some people it will be a few days long, for others it will be “my loom is in the back of the closet” long!

Taking a break from weaving is absolutely fine and sometimes it’s really necessary. But I feel very sad when someone tells me they are giving up altogether. I feel that, with the right tools, information and motivation, most weavers can reset and get their weaving mojo back.

Today I’m going to take you through a few ideas and mental exercises that may be just what you need to get re-started.

Take a Trip Down Memory Lane

It doesn’t really matter whether you’ve been weaving for a shorter or longer time, these methods apply to all weavers.

I want you to think about the time leading up to, and beginning to weave for the first time. Cast your mind back and consider these questions:

What drew you to weaving in the first place?
What were your first projects like?
What excited you most back then?

Now I want you to write down the words and/or phrases you would use to describe those early feelings. Think of it as a brain dump – you can write whatever emotions you remember feeling at that time, both positive and negative.

I’m going to share my list of words with you as an example, but please use the words that apply best to you.

My Words and Phrases

Happiness, joy, intrigue, fascination, wonder, disbelief, enraptured, amazed, hopeful, confused, frustrated, curious, excitement, immersion, something to look forward to, dreamy.

Now that we have a list, first highlight the words you would consider to be negative. Choose 3 of those words. We’re going to look at those negatives in a different way to turn them into positives:

Felt Then	Positive Outcome
Confused	Learning and understanding, clarity
Frustrated	Patience, learning through further research
Overwhelmed	Slowing down, one step at a time

Now we’ll take a look at the rest of the words and again, choose 3 to work with. This time think about how that positive emotion has contributed to your overall weaving journey, and where it has allowed you to get to.

Felt Then	Where it took me
Fascination	A habit of curiosity and interest
Hopeful	Kept me going when it was hard
Immersion	Allowed to expand my skills

The point of this exercise is to remind you of the positives surrounding your creative journey and to illustrate that even the perceived negatives have a necessary place in learning.

Why Do We Lose Enthusiasm?

There are so many reasons why we might find ourselves at a point of thinking we have fallen out of love with weaving. Some reasons may include:

Repetitiveness leading to boredom

Pressure to be productive or guilt that you’re not using your loom/s

Comparison or perfectionism

Lack of time/energy

Not knowing what to weave next

Poor health or chronic illness

Sometimes you need to go backwards in order to go forwards. That is why we did the exercise of words and emotions, it’s a strong reminder of you as a newbie weaver.

Practical Ideas to Reignite Joy

Here are a few ideas that can help to kickstart a little reset and have you feel that joy for weaving like you used to:

Try a new technique
Make a gift that blesses someone you love
Weave with a child or a friend
Reorganize your yarn stash—rediscover old favourites and donate what you don’t intend to use
Set up your loom just for play—no outcome required. A sample is perfect or maybe an arty wallhanging.
Take a fun quiz to give you a fresh perspective
Watch inspiring weaving videos or documentaries
Join a weaving challenge or class

Student Wisdom

I asked some students of the Online Weaving School to share their own thoughts and advice when it comes to the concept of falling out of love with weaving.

Inga has some great advice about acceptance:

“I know that falling out of love with weaving (or any craft) will happen. I also know the spark will come back, so I try not to sweat it if I’m in a slump. I have everything I need to jump right back in as soon as the spark hits.“

Gai had some wonderful ideas about keeping the spark alive in a small way when you can’t be working on bigger things:

“I had never used a pin loom before, but this loom arrived when I was at the start of a year-long health issue that left me, both physically and mentally, unable to use my RH or inkle looms. This little loom took no effort to warp and weave, and I believe it kept me sane during a very difficult time. I literally made hundreds of 4” squares during this time, beginning with just random squares in any colour wool or cotton that I laid hands on.

The humble pin loom kept me in the creative realm by giving me something new, simple and undemanding to do and, I believe, it inspired me to explore even more on my other looms when I was able to start weaving on them again.“

Katie found that the rediscovery of a special yarn she had purchased as a new weaver, plus discovering another beautiful alpaca yarn to go with it, was the perfect solution to getting out of a weaving rut.

“I found that, for me, even switching out my choice of fiber could jump start the creative process again!”

Are You Ready to Fall Back in Love With Weaving?

Consider the possibility that you haven’t lost your love for weaving—it’s just waiting for you to notice it again, perhaps from a different angle. The spark is still there and can be reignited.

I hope this article has helped or inspired you to consider ways that you might fall back in love with weaving!

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

The 10-Minute Rule: A Simple Trick to Boost Creativity, Productivity & Beat Procrastination

by Kelly Leave a Comment

Today, I want to share a simple yet powerful trick that has helped me stay productive and creative, even on those days when I just don’t feel like doing anything. I call it the 10-Minute Rule—and trust me, it’s a game-changer!

The Inspiration Behind the 10-Minute Rule

Spring is in full swing here in Australia, bringing the urge for spring cleaning, organizing, and tackling all those little tasks we’ve been putting off. I had a busy day ahead with two appointments—one over the phone and another in person (which, let’s be honest, I don’t love having to leave the house for!). But before heading out, I had a short window of time in my studio, and that’s when I realized just how much I rely on my 10-minute rule.

So, what is the 10 minute rule?

It’s not really a strict “rule” but more of a simple productivity hack. It’s about breaking tasks into manageable, bite-sized chunks that feel achievable—even when you’re low on time, motivation, or energy (and if you are, I hear ya!)

How the 10-Minute Rule Works

The concept is simple: dedicate just 10 minutes to a task and see what happens. There are two main scenarios where I find this rule helpful:

When I have limited time – If I only have an hour between appointments or other commitments, I can still accomplish something meaningful in a short burst of focused time.
When I don’t feel like doing anything – On days when I’m feeling unwell, uninspired, or just plain unmotivated, committing to just 10 minutes often gets me started—and sometimes, that’s all I need to keep going.

A Real-Life Example: How It Helped Me Get Creative Again

Yesterday, I wasn’t feeling great. I’ve been dealing with some ongoing health issues and a lingering cold, which left me feeling drained. I had convinced myself to take the day off from my creative projects, but when I stepped into my studio to grab something, I saw my quilt project sitting on the table.

At that moment, I had two choices: walk away or commit to just 10 minutes of sewing. I chose the latter. I told myself, “I’ll just sew a couple of blocks together and see how I feel.” And guess what? Once I started, I felt inspired and ended up working on the quilt for an hour! That’s the magic of the 10-minute rule—it lowers the mental barrier to getting started, and once you’re in the flow, you might just surprise yourself.

The 10-Minute Rule in Action

You can apply this rule to just about anything:

Creative projects – Weaving, quilting, painting, knitting—whatever it is, just commit to 10 minutes.
Household chores – Cleaning an entire room might feel overwhelming, but tidying for 10 minutes? Totally doable!
Work and organization – If you’re procrastinating on emails, paperwork, or planning, set a timer for 10 minutes and make a start.

Why It Works

It reduces overwhelm – Instead of dreading a big task, you’re just committing to a small, manageable portion.
It builds momentum – Often, the hardest part is getting started. Once you begin, you’ll likely want to keep going.
It creates a sense of accomplishment – Even if you only spend 10 minutes, you’ve still made progress!
It helps you manage time better – You can get a surprising amount done in short, focused bursts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 10-minute rule really work?
Yes! It’s a proven method for overcoming procrastination and increasing productivity. The key is that starting small reduces resistance, making it easier to begin tasks.

How can I use the 10-minute rule to be more productive?
Try applying it to tasks you tend to avoid—whether it’s creative work, housework, or admin tasks. Once you get started, you’ll often keep going beyond the initial 10 minutes!

Give It a Try!

Next time you feel stuck, uninspired, or short on time, try the 10-minute rule. Set a timer, start the task, and see where it takes you. You might find that it’s exactly what you needed to get moving—and who knows, you might even finish that project you’ve been putting off!

📌 Loved this tip? Save it to Pinterest to try later!

Have you ever tried a method like this? Let me know in the comments how the 10-minute rule works for you!

Need some further tips to help you organize your creative space? Check out this article:

Must Have Storage Solutions for Weavers

What My Health Reset is Teaching Me: Overcoming Excuses and Finding Strength

by Kelly Leave a Comment

Five weeks ago, I never would have believed I could finish a 25-minute workout—let alone with no modifications. If I had seen this workout back then, I would have said, “That’s too hard. I can’t do that.” But today? I didn’t just do it—I felt strong, energized, and unstoppable. The secret? I didn’t start here. I started small, with just 10-minute beginner workouts. And those tiny steps added up to something life-changing.

Instead of dreading workouts, I wake up excited to move, to walk, to get as much activity in my day as possible because it makes me feel amazing. This shift didn’t happen overnight, but it’s proof that consistency and mindset matter more than we think.

The Turning Point: Breaking Free from Victim Mentality

For those following my journey, you know I’ve struggled with my weight and health for a long time. I’ll be sharing a more detailed update soon, but today I want to focus on the biggest lesson I’ve learned.

The one thing that changed everything? Letting go of my victim mindset.

For years, I told myself:

“I’m gaining weight because I have Hashimoto’s disease.”
“Perimenopause makes me too tired to work out.”
“I can’t exercise because it’s bad for autoimmune disease.”
“I’m always hungry because of my condition.”

Excuses. I had convinced myself that my circumstances were impossible to change. I genuinely believed that I couldn’t lose weight, build muscle, or feel better at my age with my health issues. And that belief kept me stuck.

But here’s the truth: I was wrong.

You Are Not a Victim of Your Circumstances

I know that everyone’s situation is unique. Some have severe illnesses, injuries, or other major challenges. I’m not saying you need to follow exactly what I’m doing. But what I am saying is that things can get better from where you are today.

It might take small changes, or maybe big ones, but the most important shift happens in your mind. The moment I stopped playing the victim and started asking, “What CAN I do?” everything changed.

Every Day is a New Opportunity

Every morning, I wake up and say, “Thank you, Lord, for a new day.” I no longer see my health challenges as roadblocks—I see them as opportunities to find better ways to live.

I still have Hashimoto’s. I still have anxiety. I’m still in perimenopause. Those things haven’t disappeared. But what has changed is how I manage them. I’ve discovered that even with my setbacks, I can make progress. I can feel stronger, healthier, and more energetic than I ever thought possible.

You Already Have the Tools—You Just Need to Use Them

Looking back, I realize that I always had the tools to improve my health. I just didn’t know how to use them. I was stuck in a cycle of self-pity, telling myself life was unfair.

But when I cleared out that negative mindset, everything became easier. The hardest part? Just getting started.

So if you’re struggling, feeling stuck, or making excuses like I was—know that you’re not alone. But also know that things can change. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to take one step at a time.

I hope this post inspires you to look at your own journey with fresh eyes. Start where you are, make small changes, and believe in your ability to improve. You are stronger than you think.

Until next time, friends—keep moving forward!