Sewing to release my nervous energy

What do you do when you are nervous?  Some people bite their nails, some people pace, some people sweat.  I would probably do all those things but I found one way to resolve some of my nervous energy by sewing.

A few weeks ago I had to give a testimony to my MOPS group.  I was a nervous wreck.  I knew my testimony could be helpful to some of the women but my testimony touches on some subjects I do not like to speak about often.  Loss of a loved one, & grief, but the light at the end of the tunnel is my path to my strong faith in God.   Although, I believe in the power of testimony I like hearing them more then giving. 

The night before I was to give my testimony I went up to my room to write down my notes and nothing was coming to mind.  My mind went blank.  While I was sitting their I saw piles of material just calling for me.  I should mention, in my room is also my sewing area and it is really easy to get distracted…and boy did I got distracted.

I decided I needed to make a new shirt for my testimony (this is my way of procrastinating too).  I pulled up a pattern from Seamingly Smitten Called the Miss Mod Top and got to work.  I worked for about 2 hours and this is what I made…

(This is me after the testimony can you sense my relief????)

I did make a few alterations…because I encompassed some of the design elements from another one of her pattern Jenny Lynn Shirred Dress.  If you are interested in all the changes I made you can go to her blog Seamingly Smitten and look it up. 

After finishing my top, I got my confidence up, released some of my nervous energy, and wrote my testimony.  The next day I gave my little speech (in my new shirt) and it felt good.  The best part of giving a testimony is it allows other women to see the value in opening up and sharing what is on their hearts.  I would say the whole experience was a good one for me and I highly recommend sewing when you get nervous…it make you think better!

I realize most people do not sew to release their nervous energy, but we all do something. Maybe it is time to make it your nervous time into a productive time!! It is worth a shot, it works for me.