I recently got offered a job – as an English teacher in Stockholm. This means a big move down south, sharing a pretty small flat with a handsome, tall Swede. It will be a new start in the working world after 2 luxurious years studying music in the idyllic countryside here in the north. I will need to take a big stash of yarn with me to calm my nerves (but where will I store it?!)
I will be commuting on the Stockholm underground, T-Banan, travelling to various schools in the northern district, starting somewhat south. Sometimes it can be fairly quiet on the T-Banan (loud music blaring from headphones and squeaky train brakes aside) if you travel off-peak. However, during the busy periods, will it be realistic to try crafting with my elbows squashed, yarn tangled, needles crampt, surrounding by the i-phone-plugged-in-trance-commuter-brigade? Maybe it will be out of the question. So, it will be a case of taking a small bag along with me and seeing how it goes as to whether I can really squeeze in a stitch or two – as well as myself – on the train.
How do you manage to get the work-craft balance right? Is it easy to fit in crafting around work or family commitments? How many can knit of crochet on the commute? Let me know your stories!
garnharmoni 
Well…it is matter of finding balance: down time, taking time for other things than work. Re-assesing, re-adjusting, being honest with yourself and with others. And, above all, a positive attitude: really. I have been juggling, family, work, study, moving (12 times!) most of my life. The more positive and the more whine and cheese I let go, the easier it became! Keep sharing girl, you have the talents to give it try! Johanna
Thanks Johanna! Yes I understand the need for a positive attitude in life. My situation is further complicated by a chronic underlying health condition that requires scheduled rest during my days. This is actually not so easy in every day life. The job is part-time and I’m lucky this year to have a longer summer break. Unlucky though to be struggling through a relapse. Always good to get your comments, encouragement and insight! Hope your latest move went well. 🙂
Having a full-time job really makes it tricky sometimes to find time for crafts. However, I think if your hobby is important for you, you will always find some time for it. I find crocheting when commuting relaxing on longer trips, however I’m worried all my work will get frogged by accident or all the yarn gets entangled, so I do it rarely.
A full t-bana can be a challenge! But maybe it is worth a try, especially if you need to change lines and maybe have some waiting time in between. Welcome to Stockholm, by the way!
Iida
Hej Lida! Bor du i Stockholm då? 🙂 Maybe are yarn paths might cross sometime? I am moving in August. Yes, I also find knitting or crochet relaxing on longer trips like on the train from Östersund to Stockholm, a trip I have a made a fair few times… Sweden is such a big country so it means long train rides and a big bag of yarn!
Long train trips are perfect for meditative crocheting. 🙂 I have also recently moved to Stockholm. Would be cool to have a crochet meet up sometime once you are settled! Good luck with the move!
Hej Lida! Javisst! Absolutely. A crochet meet and fika sounds perfect once I am settled down there. 🙂 By the way, are you Swedish? your name is rather unusual so I am curious! I am a Brit (with a Swedish mother) that has lived in Sweden almost three years. A move to the big city is going to exciting but scary so a yarn friend would be very welcome! Christina
It is most definitely difficult to get the craft/work balance right. And work definitely gets in the way. I crack out the knitting at conferences and during long conference calls. I actually concentrate better that way anyway. My commute is 2 hours so I make on the train. In fact any moment when I’m sitting, it comes out. When you’re working, you don’t notice the stares!
If I didn’t do this, I’d never get anything finished!!
Wow, we crafters are a resourceful and determined lot! 😉 It isn’t two hours commute one way?! Yes, I know about those stares but most are somewhat approving looks, I find… Happy Knitting!
Working a lot makes crafting all that more important. I really started crafting as I gave up work to look after three children. I needed to find a way to give myself permission to sit down as I spent all the time worrying about all the jobs that I should be doing. Crafting means that I am still busy but am sitting down (usually in front of the TV). Good luck in your job. xx