DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m someone who’s always on the go. When things are busy, I hop from event to event. I usually have the energy to attend multiple events in a night or a weekend. That’s how I roll.
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My problem is, I can’t do any of that right now. I injured my leg and had to have surgery. The recovery time is long: at least six weeks. I can’t stand it.
Sitting still and resting is excruciatingly difficult to do. I stare at the clock, take naps, call friends — and I find myself falling into a puddle of sadness.
I can’t speed up the healing process. I was warned that if I don’t allow myself to heal properly, I could have tremendously negative repercussions.
How can I psych myself into living through this period with a better state of mind?
— On the Mend
DEAR ON THE MEND: First, you have to accept that you are not in control of what happened in the past. You are in charge of how you deal with the present.
Rather than bemoaning your state, make a plan. What can you do and what is off limits? Be clear about these things so that you can post reminders to yourself regarding activities and timelines.
Next, figure out something productive that you can do during this period of immobility. Can you take up a craft? Write that book you’ve always dreamed about? Clean out your inbox? Prepare your taxes? Yes, seriously.
Anything you usually put off that you have time to do because you are confined to being still can go to the top of your list. Write it down.
Make an exhaustive list of possibilities and check each one off as you complete the task. Tiny victories should help to raise your spirits!
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’ve recently taken up beading as a hobby, creating waist beads and bracelets.
Lately, my work has gained attention, and people are asking about purchasing my jewelry. I’ve been taking credit for my creations and even making custom pieces for others.
While I want to keep this as a fun hobby without stress, I’m torn between making extra money by selling my jewelry or keeping it solely for personal enjoyment.
What should I consider in deciding whether to turn my hobby into a side income?
— Making My Own Way
DEAR MAKING MY OWN WAY: Many people start businesses as an evolution of a hobby.
Since you love jewelry making and beading so much, why not do a pilot to see if you also enjoy creating inventory, developing a sales strategy, hiring support and anything else that may be needed to turn your hobby into a business.
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Give yourself a time frame to test to see if you are up for the investment of time, money, creativity and energy that it takes to launch a business. If it seems like you are, go for it.
Keep careful records to help you determine if the business is worth it and can be profitable. At the end of the timeline, review your progress and decide if your return on investment is worth it.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to [email protected] or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
