Assignment 5 was going quite well, till I hit a major speedbump. My sewing machine is not a happy bunny. Untouched for ages, I’m having major problems trying to get it to do anything, I’ve worked out where the problem is but I just need some time to get it cleaned up, oiled, and just generally treated right. I didn’t really have time for all that. I dramatically declared at the weekend that the Universe was giving me plenty of signs to give up the course. I keep losing things, I feel scattered, I constantly change my mind about my projects, and now my machine is dead. This always happens. Always. I think it’s because – despite lovin’ the whole slow living vibe! – I do everything at 90 miles an hour. Everything I do is an item to be ticked off my to do list. There is no real mindfulness for me at the moment.

“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.” ~Pema Chodron

I am constantly being reminded that I need to keep on top of my workspace, slow down, and look after my sewing machine. That’s the lesson. So no, I’m not giving up on my degree, I will try to take slow pleasure in my work, and I will maintain my sewing machine.

Has the Universe given me a sign that I’m on the right path? Well, I put the wrong date in my diary and it turns out this assignment is not due for another 4 weeks!