4 October 2015

Mottainai...


The Japanese word mottainai isn't easily translated accurately into other languages,
it's an old Buddhist word which has ties with the Shinto idea that objects have souls.
The nearest I can get to it is that it's a term conveying a sense of regret concerning the waste or misuse of anything; food, cloth, time... the last is something I have seriously been a culprit of wasting.
                           
                                             
After spending what adds up to literally days over the past couple of years amassing hundreds of beautiful images on pintrest, which sent me spiralling off in all directions full of ideas, I realised it would take a hundred lifetimes to be able to follow through all of them, and that while I enthused over the makings of others I had come to an almost standstill in creating anything of any worth myself. 
Unless I actually stepped away from the computer I was never even going to make a start.

The internet must be wonderful for people who are housebound, it opens up worlds,
but it's also probably one of the biggest wasters of time.
One of the reasons I'd not posted for nearly 5 months was because I wanted to take a step back from the internet, no weaning, just stop.
It worked.
I managed to produce more in the 5 months than in the whole of the year before,
most of it churning out the same boring things to stock up my shop, but a couple of things started to materialise outside of the shop that were actually using my brain.

The internet is a siren. 
I like to see and read about the things you make, the courses you give, the renovations you make to your houses, the fairs you attend, I just don't need to be plugged in 24 hours.  
So why am I posting again? well... (and trying not to sound like an AA meeting)
my name is the woolly dog and it's been a month since my last posting...

That's me above, minus fag 

20 comments:

  1. Totally..Totally agree...!
    When l was given my original PC, back in 2008.
    Friend of mine, Ally, who went to school with my
    daughter, said...'Willie..you must have a Blog'
    'Blog'! 'Blog'! So together we developed my Blog.
    She being the author,and writer. It's a one and only
    post! I've been nagged over the years, to start one of
    my own and post regularly...I've always said NO!
    Why? Because l know 'ME' I'd be at the thing..Morning,
    noon and night. I enjoy the internet for just two things.
    e~mail..love the funny jokes and stories that come through,
    which l like to pass on...And..following and commenting on
    few lovely Blogs...And...That's it! :).

    And waste....No! No! No! None in my home, none what so
    ever....Especially food...Sacrilege!

    Sorry...Don't smoke....So can't sent you a 'fag'.....HeHe!
    By the way...That kitchen could do with a coat of paint.
    Do it out the same colour as mine...Bubble~Gum Pink! :).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, bubble gum pink to match your shop door would look stunning. So that's why you don't blog... it's a wise man who knows his weakness and can stay away from it, wish I could apply that to myself where food is concerned. Love your emails, thank you Willie. x

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  2. I hear you loud and clear my dear! I too have taken a massive step away. Still unsure if I will return. But then reading this made me think of a sunny summers afternoon stitching with you in Kent. And that wouldn't have happened if I hadn't been slightly plugged in to the internet. Is a hard thing to manage! X

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    Replies
    1. You're right, it was great to meet you Nora, it was a lovely day (I still haven't bloody finished it !) thank you. x

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  3. I have missed your blog...a source of education and entertainment (better than TV!)... so please don't regret spreading the fun. Hope you find the balance. xx

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Ethel, and good luck with all the fairs you've lined up for yourself, looks like a lot of work. x

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  4. I love to waste time! Actually, I'm not wasting it if I'm enjoying myself. But I know what you mean about the internet and creativity. I keep looking for inspiration by seeing what other people are doing, but it usually just makes me less motivated to use my own imagination. I don't think I could give up web surfing, but I do try to look at a variety of blogs so I get a mix of input.

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  5. Exactly... I suppose it's just that time seems to be going faster the older you get. Good luck with your move back to Blighty in the Spring. x

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  6. I've missed your blog but fully understand that it can be a huge time waster. I stepped away for a while and now blog only once a week or so and I do it from work in my lunch hour when I am limited to just one hour! M x

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    Replies
    1. That's a good idea for you, unfortunately I usually start about 10pm and am still lost in space till 1am. So sorry not to have been able to get over and look at the dolls wardrobe, but our builders started knocking through external walls and all that entails... x

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  7. I know what you mean. I have been persuaded to join Face book and wish I hadn't ;0)

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    Replies
    1. You mad mad fool, you won't be needing this t-shirt then... x

      http://www.thewoollydogblog.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/general

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  8. Hi Woolly Dog! Eco Ethel sent me your way! This post is so timely for me. I am just embarking on a mammoth event (originated
    by Julie from Notes on Paper) to leave 300 comments on blogs in 30 days. After I have commented, absorbed and been enlightened I think I may go and lie down in a dark room for a year. I talk of being creative but creatively am very stuck and intimidated by all the proper artisans and their imagery. In fact I think I may go a lie in a dark room right now. It's all too much! :-)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Simone, how on earth do you manage to run 4 blogs? good luck with your marathon commenting. x

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  9. I am very much enjoying getting back into my own blog again - and it's lovely to see you back. But I do hear what you're saying. My life has improved immeasurably since I abandoned Facebook many months ago in a personal capacity and since then I've been sending good old fashioned postcards to people!

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  10. That's a great idea for keeping in touch with friends and more relaxed than a card. A lot of us always think of you at this time of year Gretel, take care. x

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  11. I am worried how much I use the Internet but I don't think I can go cold turkey! X

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  12. PS So glad to have you back! (Am I being selfish?)! X

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    Replies
    1. Ahh chuck, didn't know you'd missed me, I'm obviously not billy no mates after all then, thank you. x

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  13. Wow, I totally agree, I also do instagram now which is possibly more addictive than pinterest, lol. But I have learnt to be absent online, so as to make the work happen, the magic. FB is probably the worst distraction for me, as I always have this need to reply to people directly when they enquire about something and remark, instead of being reasonable and dealing with it all say once or twice a day. This is the approach I intend to do from now on, ( but lets see if I can, lol ) Your posts are always inspiring, so thank you so much for the inspiration and joy you bring to others.....was that an fb notification i just heard, lol. love always from Miss D XXX

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