Beyond Knitting
Self-care Express: I Bet You’re Doing SO WELL
Hello friends!
If you are in the northern hemisphere, I’m going to assume you have one eye on your phone (reading MDK of course!) and hope the other is on the sparkling beach before you. (I also hope you remembered your SPF 50, top must-have of summer self-care.) So this is a shorty.
Wherever you are, we are halfway through the year. Perhaps a good time to take stock?
Let’s begin with our Word of the Year (WOTY). How’s it going with that? (If your word is not on your fridge, your bathroom mirror, and your desk, and you’ve forgotten it, maybe you dropped it in the comments here in January.)
You may remember that my WOTY is toughness. I kind of forgot that, until Montana poet laureate Chris La Tray confronted me—well, in his Substack—with this Georgia O’Keeffe quote:
“Any person with any amount of mental toughness ought to be able to go a few months without things they like.” “☠️”, O’Keeffe was not able to add at the time.
Anyway, rude! Just to let you know Georgia, I’ve been five months without my No. 6 Depot Guido’s Special Blend in the morning, and I’m a total wreck.
Or so I thought, in an unexamined way. But this is why we have language, and sticker-coated Leuchtturm1917s to preserve it in. Because when I looked to see, and then capture evidence of my toughness, I found a lot.
Naturally, I made a list, because that is how I like to overwhelm the Inner Critic into stunned silence. It was long!
It started with “went to Zoom divorce court last week and had to look at my ex and kept it together because TOUGHNESS, and I did not forget to use honorifics when addressing the judge.” I think Georgia would have given me a curt nod, at least.
Your turn now! Please look to see all the ways you’ve embodied your Word of the Year and honored what you knew was important to you. Bring them into your awareness by writing them down.
And I would love it if you wanted share what you’re most proud of in the comments below. Then we can all ride the wave of appreciating self and others into the rest of the year together.
Image credit: Georgia O’Keeffe (cropped), Alfred Stieglitz, 1918, Art Institute of Chicago. Used with permission.
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Oh, Max – congratulations on your TOUGHNESS! So inspiring. Since January 20, I’ve definitely had to search internally for toughness, and I didn’t even have to Zoom to court – what a (relatively) easy (?) time I’ve had. I’d say “Take care”, but I know you will. Now I have to remember to keep saying it to myself. Thank you so much. ❤️
I looked at my comment from January, i didn’t pick a WOTY but my prediction of the myriad of feelings was correct. I am most proud so far in 2025 that I have been working so hard and yet still able to enjoy myself, learn, help others, and grow.
Courageous – as the care provider for my DH who is on the Alzheimer’s journey, I fired his family for constant gaslighting. I said this isn’t a line in the sand, this is a painted line on the pavement.
Wonderful! Good job Catherine!
Wonderful! Good job!
Boundaries. ☝ This.
You are a warrior on the most heartbreaking battlefield of all. “Toughness” does not begin to encompass all the qualities you will find within yourself, but it’s near the top of the list.
Those of us who have fought this fight salute you, and ask you to hold on to one more strength you will need when it’s over — forgiveness. For yourself for making the decisions you knew you had to make, for doctors who delivered news you didn’t want to hear, for caregivers who did things differently than you wanted them done, and even for family members who Just. Didn’t. Get. It.
You are awesome. And tough.
Thank you!
My word was “GROW”, I had to go look it up and got side tracked reading my journal. Anyhoo, I’m taking a Zentangle class and completed the 100 day Zentangle challenge. It took me a a little longer because I was hospitalized 4 times for stress related things, but, BOY, have I GROWN!
You’ll know what a “piece of work” I am by this post. I feel good about myself every day I walk on treadmill, don’t cry in public, do some dishes & or laundry. I feel good when I can do some knitting, reading or a puzzle. I feel good when I fill my weekly pill container and see that I didn’t miss any days. The house is still a mess but I feel like I’m making progress. And yes I even celebrate my small accomplishments with a fancy coffee once in awhile. I’m a work in progress and know I’m moving forward most days.
So everyone, keep up the good fight and treat yourself for your progress! Life is challenging & short. Stay on track! You’re worth it!!!
Love your story!
Love your comment!! It gives hope. We all need joy and peace and hope wherever we find it. Don’t overlook the small joys around us.
uhm… m’y « heart » emoji dropped… big heart…
I THINK my 2 words were Grace and Grateful. I going going thru a “thing” right now when I most need my words so thanks for the reminder!
I had to look it up. Shadow to remind myself not to be a shadow in others’ lives. I haven’t always succeeded. This was a good reminder for me.
I picked a phrase instead of a word: just one thing. It’s helped me tackle what seems like an overwhelming amount of things I need or want to do. It’s also helped ground me in thinking about today in a concrete way.
I didn’t « consciously » choose a word, but I liked the word/ verb/ action: choice.
I’ve chosen myself, got rid of some « stuff » both emotional & physical
Chose to remove myself from circles who make me uncomfortable in a non-growth way ( because growing is uncomfortable but should not be an ordeal of judgemental and guilt-tripping of epic proportions)
In a world where Women’s choices are being rolled back, I think I might even keep this word & add another… tbd
thanks Max for helping me open that box of the mind
Allow is my word and it’s ever so helpful….. allow other opinions,allow things to sit for a bit, allow yourself not to try and fix everything or do everything….
I have it on my desk standing up and often it waves to me and says try me!!!!
I got divorced in January. I was offered a new job in June. My children were safe at camp after the river flooded in July. It’s been a WILD first half of the year.
Big yes to TOUGHNESS, best wishes, Max!
My WOTY is actually a phrase — Progress, not perfection — and I am getting there. I am making progress on many fronts, such as our land, my knitting, taking care of my mom, finishing a remodel of our home, helping kids face the adult world, and more.
Sometimes progress is slow, but it is happening, and I look back on the first half of the year with joy at my accomplishments.
Best of luck to you, Max, and congratulations on your progress!
Life shows us we are stronger than we thought. You know that last year I broke my foot, was declared deceased by the bank and social security, moved a 91 year old to a new apartment and was caregiver to the 91 year old for three weeks till he died. He was my boyfriend of 28 years. I did things for him I never thought I would or could do. Caregivers are angels. They don’t get the credit they deserve.
I also believe things will turn out for the best. It just may take more time than you like.
Beautifully said. Thank you!
Damn. You’re awesome Francis.
Made my day.
Great quote from Georgia. I have never done a WOTY, but congratulations on surviving so much through your TOUGHNESS!
My WOTY is ‘Present’. As in, be present, present yourself openly, remain IN the present, and even occasionally give yourself a present! Who knows what you’d like better? So far I’m doing okay in some areas, no so much in others. (;
Thanks for sharing Max, you’ve got this.
I am most proud of setting boundaries with a relative I really don’t like at all…. And sticking to them. It really does seem that no matter what comes along, life is a bit easier and there is fresh breath in the hard spaces.
Carry on.
Appreciate this post. As I read this I’m donate blood so I think my WOTY is GIVE.
Fortitude. “Nuff said. I’m trying
Did No 6 Depot stop making Guido’s special blend? If it’s still available I’ll be happy to get some to you.
Well done Max, that must have been a horrible thing you had to go through. I would say you are not tough, you are strong and courageous. Sending you love and admiration Ax
Rambunctious was/is my word. I think I’m doing pretty well with it, proceeding with my (some think) crazy prairie restoration and volunteering at my local wildlife refuge. No hesitation, no second-guessing, just moving ahead with what works for me.
My “Phrase of the year was: We’ll See. Since I wrote that in the comments, I have not only said it at least everyday, probably more, but it has helped me to settle my inner freak quite a bit! That was why I chose it. Sometimes I think age is making me wiser, but then I cast on a lace weight sweater on size 00 needles and realize I’m just as goofy as ever.
My WOTY was consistency and I’m pleased with my progress. Thank you for reminding me to celebrate that! I’m knitting, running and reading consistently (just not at the same time…). Now if I could add eating healthy consistently all would be well.
Divorce. One of the most unpleasant things one may ever have to do. Sorry you had to go through it. A new beginning on the other side, but that is tough, too. Best of luck.
Accept, that my WOTY. I have an adult stepdaughter who is doing her best to exclude me and my husband would never dream of addressing this. I have fumed over this for months until I decided to accept this is who she is right now, I am not going to change her. I have distanced myself and have to keep saying “that’s her problem”. Its a relief to accept this.
I can’t remember whether I picked a WOTY, but this past few months has dumped a lot on me (chiefly, the loss of my soulmate). My word for the rest of the year is “Nurture”: nurture myself and those around me, and recognise and be grateful for those looking after me.
LOL, I had to look back in my journal to remember my WOTY. It was not decided till January 8, and think I probably forgot about it a few days later. The word I settled on was Generosity. Not necessarily financial generosity. I have commitments that mean I am always worried about the money running out, and I lack that quality that would allow me to throw caution to the winds and give generously anyway. What I meant was more about being kind to myself. Giving myself a break. I am generous with my time and my knitting. I knit a lot of things for others. If I decide I really want to make something for myself, I try to make the thing and enjoy it without worrying about the deadlines for gift items. I decide that my heart is telling me I need to do this thing for myself and it’s okay, it will be okay. I actually have made some progress on this form of generosity so far this year. Right now I’m making myself an Italian Summer Scarf out of a yarn that I love, and I’m going to stick with it till I’m finished. And I feel good that I decided to do that.