The other day I designed a new mat. When I went to sew it onto my Cheticamp frame I hesitated. I wasn’t in love with this design. It’s a relatively large piece (30″ x 31″). I knew if I wanted to enjoy this mat from start to finish I was going to have to love it from the outset.
I set it aside for a couple of days. I made a few adjustments. I still didn’t love it.
Back to the drawing board
I went back to the drawing board (which is my journal, where I write and sketch) and started to sketch. It took four new sketches, but I finally got it. I flipped the linen over (that’s the backing fabric I like to work on) and drew my new design. I love it and can’t wait to sew it on the frame so I can get started.

Permission to change my mind
So what did I do? In this instance I gave myself permission to change my mind. Even though I’d already drawn the design on the linen, I realized I just wasn’t feeling it. How many times have you started a project, your enthusiasm has quickly waned, but you push on? I know I have done this many times.
What would it be like if you gave yourself permission to change your mind, to take another route? I highly recommend it. It’s incredibly freeing. Now I have a new design that is going to be amazing. A design that I’m going to enjoy every minute of working on. That’s #innerlistening.