The holiday season is upon us. This expression captures the daunting feeling of the whirlwind time of year and all the memories (good and bad), pressures, expenses, and the overall anticipatory excitement/dread blend that descends on us like a tidal wave or storm. Just as the speed that this tidal wave crashes down is enough to throw me.
This speed tends to distort my sense of time too, especially as I think back to late summer when I wrote a piece about making garlands. The air was still warm and simmering from the Virginia summer, something that feels so far away now that it’s the brisk November weather and brilliant fall color that gleams out the window. This week an article I wrote, “Getting Creative with Floral Garlands: Building Unique Pieces,” is up on Team Flower’s website. You can peruse their limitless resources and beautiful images here.
Glancing back over the piece when I got word that it had been posted on the website, I remember how much I enjoyed the experimentation and low-stakes environment of the whole experience. This ability to tinker and allow for trial-and-error often feels like a luxury and—frankly—unrealistic when in the throes of a busy season or simply juggling the day-to-day minutia.
During the time I made the garlands and wrote the article, I felt frenzied. I had been cobbling together various writing gigs in the wake of my previous job’s mass layoff. I felt as though I needed to take every job, even though it seemed that I’d barely make enough to cover the smallest of my bills. I felt compelled to be at the computer every day and when I wasn’t, guilt trailed me like a shadow. I felt exhausted, strained, and depleted.
So when I’d received an email from Team Flower asking if I had any ideas that could've been a good fit for their blog, I decided to take it as an opportunity to catch my breath. Putting together garlands was something I had wanted to write on for some time and Team Flower’s offer seemed like the exact home where this garland idea belonged.
I made a point to spend minimally on greenery and spend no money on materials (I already had clippers and paddle wire). I set aside a few hours over two days and was able to complete it. And after finishing both the garlands and writing, I felt nourished. Both mentally and creatively, it had felt like a chance for all the racing thoughts to sort themselves and come to a quiet order.
