Need To Get Inspired?

Oliver Wendell Holmes said that ” Many people die with their music still in them. Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it time runs out.”

I don’t want that to be me!

My story

My story started with me wandering around a craft fair. I met a lovely old lady and we sat and chatted for a while. I asked if she had bought anything. “Oh no.” she replied wistfully. “I already have a big cupboard full of craft supplies and kits. One day I am going to do them. I lie in bed each night and dream of the beautiful things I am going to make – and then tomorrow comes and I just don’t seem to get started. If only I had done them earlier.”

Wow! Wake up call!

My cupboards too were full of beautiful supplies and my ‘things I intend to do’ list was long. There were books I wanted to read. Courses I had bookmarked for later. Travel brochures stuffed in a drawer for ‘someday’. Books I planned to write and crafts I wanted to learn.

I felt like I was staring my future self in the face. And I did not like it! 

Instead I decided to get on and do some stuff that I love and enjoy. And to share some of that here in case it inspires someone else.

Let me show you some what I have accomplished so you can decide if I deserve to have a site called JulieInspired 🙂

 Crafts

I have knit since I was a child but sock knitting became an obsession for a while. I think one year I knit 59 pairs! Of course – then I wanted to learn to dye my own yarn. Then I wanted to learn to spin my own yarn. Then I needed to learn to weave to try to use up the piles of beautiful yarn I had created. I have also made quilts (ok ok – mostly I make tops and send them up to my Mam to quilt for me. I hate that part!).

Painting

Ceramics

 Climbing

Really I am exercise averse! But I got persuaded to give indoor climbing a try. I can’t say it was love at first climb (I don’t like heights). But it is somehow addictive and I have learned to love indoor bouldering. A couple of years ago I attended the Woman’s Climbing Symposium which was very motivating.  Here I am climbing in a competition final. I fell off about 30 seconds after the photo was taken 🙂 And seriously – I am rubbish.

 (Self) Published Books

I have written several books and sold both as e-books from my websites or via Amazon. I really want to do more of this!

 And Also

• I have kept chickens including a battery farm rescue (called Belinda!)
• I learned to bake bread.
• I have 3 websites, an Etsy store and this blog.
• Made good inroads in my extensive library of books.
• Taken courses in painting, blogging, lettering, writing and being more productive!

These might not be the things you would love to do. But maybe you will find something of interest here.

I would love to inspire you along your journey.