Expectations

 

Expectations. People have them. We have them about ourselves. But they can be very restrictive or even downright dangerous for us. I recently read Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson. There was a great quote about this, which is what led to this page:

"We adapt to our situation like water in a strangely shaped jug, though it might take us a little while to ooze into all the little nooks. Because we adapt, we sometimes don't recognise how twisted, uncomfortable, or downright wrong the container is that we've been told to inhabit.

    We can keep going that way for a while. We can pretend we fit that jug, awkward nooks and all. But the longer we do, the worse it gets. The more it wears on us. The more exhausted we become. Even if we're doing nothing at all, because simply holding the shape can take all the effort in the world. More, if we want to make it look natural."

Not being authentic to yourself is exhausting. We all know that, because we all mask to some degree, depending on the situation, but the more we can be ourselves, the more relaxed we can be. Let's try not to be poured into a jug that doesn't suit us.

On another subject, I've been having a go at amigurumi - crocheting stuffed dolls. Here is a sloth, from a pattern by Lauren Espy: