On Relaxing

The Yarn Harlot did a post today on 'relaxing'.  Her point is that so many people believe that 'relaxing' is sitting doing nothing while she believes (as do I) that 'relaxing' is when you are doing something you love.

One of the things that drew me to weaving was the fact that it was amazingly physical, especially weaving on a production basis.  I've mentioned before how well intentioned people, knowing nothing about weaving except their romantic notion of what a weaver does, would urge me to attend an aerobics class.  Upon which I would giggle somewhat hysterically and explain that I already did about 5 hours of aerobic activity a day.  To raised eyebrows and unvoiced (usually) skepticism. 

I've also mentioned elsewhere that my retirement plan is to keep on weaving.  Why would I 'retire' from something that I love to do?  How many people, after all, can't wait for 'retirement' in order to pursue their love - weaving?

Weaving is also a form of working meditation for me.  When I don't weave for an extended period of time I get rather un-relaxed.  When I travel I usually pack a stack of hand hemming at the very least.  When I drive somewhere I usually bring a bag of knitting to occupy my hands in the evenings as well.  You never know when the hemming might get finished and there I'd be - nothing to do with my hands!

One friend calls my knitting, fringe twisting, hemming, 'creative fidgiting'.  I have to agree with that.  Another friend calls weaving my 'happy place', and I have to agree with that, too.

I've just spent a half hour getting the loom re-adjusted for the next towel and woven one (pictured above).  While I am now taking a rest break, it's not what I would call 'relaxing'.  I've just had a half hour of that.  :)