Many small things

Today I bought a sewing machine. Nothing fancy. Just sewing machine, one each. I purchased it online from Costco. Price was $160. Free delivery. It’s coming tomorrow.

You might ask what I am going to do with said sewing machine, and my answer is, huh? I don’t know, but I’ve been wanting to try something new for ages. I actually do have some sewing experience, but it has been many, many moons since I messed with needles and thread.

But rusty skills was not the primary issue for me. I resisted because I thought, oh, that’s the last thing I need. One more toy. The garage is full. Why throw money at something that might not stick?

But that’s the thing with me and why I enjoy retirement so much. Very little sticks. While I envy those who find a singular purpose and excel at it, I have always been someone who tries many small things. Few of them are permanent.

It’s not that I lack focus, per se, but my focus is sequential or rotating. And it felt like time to throw something new into the rotation. Don’t worry — I’m not giving up art or cooking — just adding one small thing to the mix.

So, I told myself, start cheap. You do not need the sewing machine of the future. The Sewmaster 5000. It’s not a lifelong identity. I will not necessarily be good at this.

It’s an exploration. A hunt for creativity and fun. For provisions, my sister suggested Costco, and boom! I hunted it down and killed it with a credit card like the bloodthirsty predator that I am. She sent me another list of accessories I will need, and it doesn’t look like it will cost me an arm and a leg. Good scissors, thread, a few other niche tools.

I feel better now that I’ve decided I will never find that ONE BIG THING that drives some people to success. That quest was mostly driving me nuts. The key for me is many small things, which I guess could be put under the umbrella of keep moving, continue to learn and stay curious.

And then, of course, write about it.