Yarn And A Weekend Sermon

It's day 81 of documenting 2025.

What a week!
Lemme just start by saying that....
I definitely learned a lot about myself and using a laptop.
Well, I returned my friend's device yesterday as agreed.
She told me I could borrow it another time.
That's great 😃

So, I said something about an exclusive report...on the things I learn while the laptop was in my possession.
That was, at the beginning of this week.
Exclusive....not so exclusive.
The main thing I learned was how to place my fingers on the laptop, according to the Mavin Beacons software I used last week.

I didn't even measure my speed.
That is, words per minute.
All I know is, I typed....and watched movies occasionally
(Spoiler alert 😐)
But it was mainly in the morning.
Now, my nights are for typing and scheduling the next day's post.
The new method has been helping....a lot.

Can I tell you a secret?
You promise you won't tell?
Okay...
I'm currently typing this sentence by 8:28 pm on Friday night!
Shh 🤫
Don't tell anyone okay?....you promised.

Jokes apart tho...
I've been doing better when I don't have to wake up by 4am to type the post for the day.
I now wake up by 5:45am.
I'm able to do my stretches, say my affirmations...
And generally get ready for the new day.
I'm glad I decided to try something new.
Besides, it's better use of my time....to save more time.

After scheduling the post, I can go online for a while to communicate with my boss and chat up my peeps...
Ya know...ma fam
(I'm just trying to say friends....disregard my terrible attempts 😅)
Next up, bedtime.
And that's how it goes for most of the week.

Another gist from the week that passed....
People are loving the crochet stuff I make....
Sometimes, I come to the tutorial with a work in progress or WIP as they call it.
And the students there, most especially girls, say I'm talented.
It's no talent!!
Anyone can learn!!

Funny thing is, most of them say,
"I want to learn....I want you to teach me"
That's all...it ends there.
Them saying they want to learn.
None of them actually take it seriously....which is what most people do.
(Me shrugging my shoulders)
It's their life, not mine...
🤷🏼 I keep to myself and do my own thing.

I recently gave out an amigurumi bunny I made.
I named him Hugo...it's a 'he'
(Yep!...I name my creations!)
Then I posted on my Whatsapp status, a picture of him and a goodbye message.
A friend from the tutorial center saw it and was amazed when I told him I made it.
He told me he thought it was something I bought.
He also showed the picture to his friends and one of them said he didn't believe I made it.
Guys!....it's just amigurumi!

By the way, if you don't know what 'amigurumi' is, look it up.
Then decide if it's hard or not.
It's not actually....as long as you have a pattern you're following.
I made Hugo with the most basic of all stitches in crochet...the single crochet stitch.
It's a wonderful technique...

What's up with all this yarn? 🧶
(😂 Ha! Crochet jokes...)
The main point is, when you're learning something like a handicraft, it's hard at first.
You may look stupid when you don't do the stitches right....
Or feel frustrated when you have to loose what you made because of a single mistake.
But with time, it gets easy.
It becomes enjoyable.
And you have something else to do besides staring at your screen.

So, my friend...I'm gonna preach now
(Clearing my throat 🗣️)
Learn a handicraft.
Something you can do with your two hands.
It does a lot for your overall well-being.

Should I start with your brain? 🧠
It reduces excessive stimulation from your devices.
Should I go to your productivity?
It helps you practice how to focus on a single repeated task....which helps in other areas of your work where you need focus.
Should I move to your self-esteem?
Think of how good you feel when you complete a project you started.
That wide smile...
That feeling of "yes, I made it"

My friend, there's more I could say....
(If only my research on this topic was complete 😆)
But let me end by saying this:
Learning anything else is no different from learning a handicraft.
At first, you're sloppy.
It could be a high income skill, a relationship, how to drive or cook....you name it.

With time, you get better.
Just because you're not getting it at first, doesn't mean you're bad at it.
As they say, "repetition is the mother of skill"
So, keep practicing.
Thank you!
(Applause 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼)

My week was interesting.
I hope yours went well....or was more interesting than mine.
Let's do highlights now.
Honestly, I don't know how that became a full-blown speech 😄
Moving on.....

We're looking at the usual read today.
I decided not to pick any other book.
Although, I promised to highlight Monday's read, which I skipped this week.
I'll do that tomorrow 😉
The usual read is 365 Days With Self-discipline by Martin Meadows.
Let's dive in!

365 Days With Self-discipline
📌 Day 81: On Identifying Your Resources

"With every accident, ask yourself what abilities you have for making a
proper use of it.
If you see an attractive person, you will find that self-restraint is the ability you have against your desire.
If you are in pain, you will find fortitude.
If you hear unpleasant language, you will find patience."
Quote by Epictetus.

"For every problem you face, there’s an ability or resource you can tap into to overcome it.
The key is to discover what it is and immediately put it to use.
Unfortunately, many people default to discouragement or frustration rather than adopt a resourceful attitude and look for possible solutions."

"The best way to prepare yourself for setbacks is to visualize them and seek solutions before these problems materialize."

"By creating a list of potential solutions while being at the top of your game and not being influenced by negative emotions, you’ll save yourself the time and energy that is wasted on trying to solve problems with a clouded mind."

Hmm 🤔
This makes you think, doesn't it?
There's something I usually do when I want to do something bold.
Something I haven't done before.
I usually ask, "what could possibly go wrong?"
A cliche, but I still ask...
Then my mind gets to work and starts to make me see how badly things could turn out.

What I do is, I come up with ways to salvage the situation.
It's like a mind game now.
Me versus my mind.
It shows me a mishap.
I take note and come up with a way to prevent it or think of what I could do to manage the situation.
I guess that's what the last two quotes are talking about.
Nice 🙂

How about you, my friend?
Do you agree with the notion of visualizing setbacks?
Yes? No?
Your opinion counts, so share them in the comments below, if you don't mind.
PS. You can be anonymous.

Happy Weekend, my friend 😊
Thanks for reading.
Thanks for joining this crazy girl as she explores 2025.
You may have started this journey with me since day 1.
Or you may have joined in later.
Either way, I appreciate you 🙏🏼

By the way, I started a Whatsapp channel this week and so far, I have 5 followers! 🎉
You can follow as well...if you're interested in the skill of content writing...or just for support.
Follow the MCW channel here
See you there 🤗

If you're wondering, I'm Duon Ada.
The eccentric writer.
I'm documenting 2025.
And I'll see you tomorrow.
Ciao 💕