Blog 2

 

This week, I took a break from crocheting my blanket and got to work on making a birthday present for my sister. I asked her if she could choose any animal to be her sidekick, which animal would she choose and why. She told me she'd pick a llama so it could carry all of her things and spit on all of her enemies.

So, I found a YouTube tutorial on how to make a llama. I surprisingly finished it in about three hours of active crocheting. I was so happy while I made it. It was so fun. When I finished it, I was so proud. My new occupation is becoming so fulfilling to me!

My llama isn't perfect, but it just adds character, right?

When thinking back on the reading, there were many different meanings given to the term "occupation." One definition was that occupations are the things that people do every day. Another definition was a self-initiated and/or self-directed activity. The last meaning that was given to the term "occupation" was along the lines of occupations being whatever we do to occupy ourselves. My occupation fits most in the last definition. The first was somewhat too general for my occupation. Crochet is not something I do everyday, so it didn't quite fit. The second definition didn't feel right, either. To be fully honest, this was not self-initiated. I would never have started crocheting if it wasn't for this class. I feel as though my occupation is merely what I do to occupy myself.

When first reading the blog prompt when it asked about doing, being, becoming, and belonging and how it led to health and survival, I honestly was thinking about how silly that was to consider when taking my occupation into account. But after thinking for a while, something clicked. Obviously the act of actually crocheting is the doing part of this. But, in doing my occupation and honoring that that is how I genuinely now enjoy spending my time, I am being. As I am crocheting, I generally calm down. The whole process really decreases my stress levels. Since starting my new occupation, I have felt considerably less stressed by things that would have sent me over the edge in the past. I have felt far less negatively emotional. In that, I am becoming a happier, less stressed individual when I take that time for myself to crochet. I am also finding that I am belonging better with those around me. Because I am less stressed, I am happier and easier to be around. My husband has noted that. Beyond that, crocheting is now something I have in common with both my grandma and one of my best friends.

I realized then that crochet is helping me with my health and survival. I mean, if it's helping with stress, it is most definitely helping with survival, even just in terms of surviving school.