When a customer came into the store with a loom for me, I had no idea how much it would take hold of me. It was mid November when I made my first hat, and I was hooked. Every spare moment gave me opportunity to get a few rows in on the current hat I was working on- breaks at work, school pick-ups, putting my kids to bed. I would even take it out of my bag while I was in line at the grocery store. I made it my mission to create as many hats made as I could. When strangers would hear that I was trying to make 100 hats to give away, I was met with a lot of doubt. That doubt could have easily broken my spirits, but instead it fueled my goals. I was able to make 113 hats, even after taking a few weeks off around Christmas.
When you say that you don't have time, is that accurate or is what you are trying to do just not a priority? Most phones have a metric that says how long you spend on your phone each day. If the only thing you changed in your life was to put the phone down, it is wild the amount of literal hours you can reclaim in your day. Stop doom-scrolling and take back your life.
When I heard it was going to be a record 10 degrees in Nashville, I knew that hat Monday was here. I was pumped to spread positive vibes all around town. I made a promise to help 113 strangers stay warm by giving away hats to those who needed to know that they matter. There is nothing like a hand-made hat to make you feel loved, even on the coldest of days. I gave hats to everyone from teachers on school car-line duty, first responders, and caffeine fueled commuters. At sunset, I finished the day by warming the heads of those on the pedestrian bridge downtown. Nothing prepared me for the stories shared to me by the displaced wanderlusts that live on the street in Downtown Nashville. You never know who needs help to stay afloat. Kindness can be a lifesaver. If you are waiting for a sign..THIS IS IT. I'll forever be the one with the flower headband and endearing enthusiasm. Mondays don't have to suck!
