Choosing Joy Again: An Intentional Return to Sewing

Small steps, soft plans, and finding my way back to what matters

Lately, I’ve been sitting with a big question: How do I get my joy of sewing back?

Not the productivity.
Not the perfectly planned projects.
Not the pressure to finish what I said I would.

The joy.

This year, my word is Intentional. I’m realizing that getting my joy back doesn’t require a dramatic reset. It requires intentionality. Small, thoughtful choices made with care instead of urgency.

Intentional Baby Steps (Instead of Big Resolutions)

Right now, my next steps aren’t bold or flashy. They’re intentional.

They look like:

  • Sitting at my sewing space without the obligation to produce
  • Touching fabric without deciding its destiny
  • Sewing for 15 minutes and stopping when it feels right
  • Choosing curiosity over guilt

Being intentional means honoring where I am today, not where I think I should be. Joy returns when sewing feels safe again—when it’s allowed to be slow, imperfect, and just for me.

The Finish It and Toss It Series—An Intentional Revisit

I’ve been asking myself a big question. Should I continue the Finish It and Toss It series? This involves the planned work through my unfinished sewing projects, also known as WIPs and UFOs.

Here’s what intentionality is teaching me: The idea still has value. But, the way I engage with it needs to change.

Instead of finishing everything out of obligation, I’m choosing to intentionally revisit each project.

Some will be finished with care.
Some will be altered with fresh eyes.
Some will be released—intentionally and without guilt.

Completion is no longer the goal. Alignment is.

Do I Scrap All My Plans or Start Fresh?

An intentional approach doesn’t mean throwing everything away.

Those plans were created thoughtfully, but by a version of me with different energy and expectations. Rather than scrapping them entirely, I’m choosing to review them intentionally:

  • Keeping what still feels supportive
  • Adjusting what feels restrictive
  • Letting go of what no longer serves me

Starting fresh doesn’t always mean starting from zero. Sometimes it means editing with intention.

What Do I Tell the People Following Along?

Intentional communication matters too.

What I want to share—clearly and honestly—is this:

  • I’m reconnecting with sewing for joy, not constant output
  • Plans shift as I move more intentionally
  • Unfinished does not mean unsuccessful
  • This season is about sustainability, not speed

I don’t owe perfection. What I do owe is honesty—both to myself and to the people who have chosen to follow along.

Moving Ahead—Intentionally

This next chapter isn’t about doing more.
It’s about doing what matters.

I’m choosing to move ahead intentionally—allowing space for rest, creativity, and change. Whether joy returns quickly or slowly, I’m committed to listening, adjusting, and honoring the process.

This isn’t the end of sewing for me.

It’s an intentional, gentler beginning.

Please read the earlier post When You Lose the Will to Do What You Love here

When You Lose the Will to Do What You Love

When the Things You Love Go Quiet

Lately, I’ve been telling myself—and anyone who watches my Instagram stories—that I’m about to do all the things.

I’ll sew again.
I’ll finish that project.
I’ll get back into my rhythm.

The plans are there. They’re written down. They’re organized. They look hopeful on paper.

But here’s the truth I haven’t said out loud: it’s been over a month since I even turned on my sewing machine.

That realization landed heavier than I expected. Sewing has always been more than a hobby for me—it’s been a source of joy, creativity, and grounding. And now, it sits quietly, untouched, while I keep insisting (mostly to myself) that I’ll get back to it “soon.”

So what happens when the things you love start to feel distant?

Planning Without Following Through

I still plan. I still write lists. I still imagine how good it will feel once I start again. From the outside, it probably looks like motivation is alive and well.

But something has shifted.

Lately, my plans don’t turn into action. The energy it takes to follow through feels bigger than it used to be. Not impossible—just heavy. Like walking through water instead of air.

And that’s the confusing part. Because when you lose interest in something you love, the first instinct is to ask:
Is something wrong with me?

Is this a mild form of depression?
Or did I just lose the excitement?

When Life Piles On

Context matters, and I can’t ignore mine.

I was sick over the holidays—a time that’s already emotionally loaded—and instead of rest feeling restorative, it felt lonely and sad. Just as I was finding my way back into my gym routine (a place that usually makes me feel strong and capable), I tore the meniscus in my right knee.

Suddenly, my body felt limited. Movement became cautious. Progress slowed.

When things like this happen back to back, it doesn’t always feel dramatic in the moment. There’s no single breaking point. Instead, it’s like a slow dimming of the lights.

You keep going. You keep showing up. But something inside starts to slump.

Loss of Joy Doesn’t Always Look Like Despair

We often imagine depression as being unable to get out of bed or feeling overwhelmingly sad all the time. But sometimes it’s quieter than that.

Sometimes it looks like:

  • Loving something deeply… but not wanting to do it
  • Making plans… but never quite starting
  • Wanting to want something again

That doesn’t automatically mean depression. It also doesn’t mean you’ve failed, grown lazy, or lost your identity.

It might mean you’re tired in a way rest hasn’t fully touched yet.

It might mean your nervous system has been absorbing too much—illness, disappointment, physical injury, disrupted routines—and needs time to recalibrate.

Joy doesn’t disappear overnight. Sometimes it just goes into hiding.

Grieving the Version of Yourself Who Was “On Fire”

There’s also a quiet grief in realizing you’re not operating at the same capacity you once were.

I miss the version of myself who couldn’t wait to sew. The one who found excitement in starting, not just finishing. The one who didn’t have to negotiate with herself just to begin.

And maybe that’s part of the slump too—not just losing the activity, but losing the ease of loving it.

We don’t talk enough about how hard it is to be patient with ourselves when we’re healing. Especially when the healing isn’t visible.

Maybe It’s Not Over—Maybe It’s Paused

I don’t think this season means sewing is “over” for me. But I do think it means something needs gentler expectations.

Instead of asking, Why can’t I do what I used to?
I’m trying to ask, What does showing up look like right now?

Maybe it’s turning on the sewing machine without making anything.
Maybe it’s sitting near it.
Maybe it’s allowing myself to not perform productivity online while I figure things out offline.

Slumps don’t always need fixing. Sometimes they need acknowledgment.

If You’re Here Too

If you’ve lost the will to do something you once loved, you’re not broken. You’re human.

Life happens in waves, and sometimes they come too fast to process individually. When that happens, joy doesn’t vanish—it waits.

And maybe, for now, that’s enough.

Not everything needs to be rushed back to life. Some things return when we stop demanding they do.

For now, I’m letting myself be where I am—unfinished projects, quiet machine, and all.

Intentional: My Word for 2026

For the second year in a row, I’m choosing a word of the year that reflects my real life. It’s not a highlight reel or a goal list filled with pressure. It reflects the season I’m actually in. As I move into 2026, my word is intentional.

This word didn’t come from a trend or a list of “popular words for the year.” It came from lived experience. From lessons learned the hard way. From moments where I realized that being busy doesn’t always mean being fulfilled. Doing more doesn’t always mean moving forward.

Why Intentional, and Why Now

Intentional means choosing with purpose. It means slowing down long enough to ask why before saying yes. It means aligning my actions with my values instead of running on autopilot.

At this stage of my life, I’m learning that growth as an adult often looks quieter than we expect. It looks like discernment. It looks like boundaries. It looks like honoring your energy instead of giving it away freely.

In 2026, I’m no longer interested in pouring from an empty cup. I want to live in ways that support the woman I’m becoming. I want to move and create in ways that support her as well. I will not support the version of me that felt obligated to do it all.

Being Intentional With My Fitness

Fitness has been a constant in my life, but my relationship with it continues to evolve. In 2026, I’m choosing intentional fitness—not punishment, not extremes, not chasing quick results.

This year, my goals are rooted in:

  • Strength that supports my body as I age
  • Consistency over intensity
  • Movement that feels sustainable and empowering
  • Fueling my body with care instead of restriction

Every workout is a choice to invest in my future self. Strength training, cardio, rest days, and nourishment all have a place—and none of them require guilt. Being intentional means listening to my body and respecting what it needs in each season.

Being Intentional With My Sewing

Sewing has always been more than a creative outlet for me—it’s a form of self-expression, problem-solving, and confidence-building. In 2026, I’m being intentional about what I sew and why.

That means:

  • Choosing projects that challenge my skills and support my growth
  • Sewing garments that fit my body and my real life
  • Letting go of perfectionism and embracing progress
  • Creating with joy instead of pressure

Each stitch reminds me that learning takes time, mistakes are part of the process, and finished is better than perfect. Sewing teaches patience—and patience is something I’m intentionally practicing this year.

Putting Myself First Without Apology

One of the biggest shifts for me has been understanding that putting myself first doesn’t mean neglecting others. It means showing up whole. It means protecting my time. It means safeguarding my energy and my creativity. This way, I can give from a place of fullness instead of depletion.

Intentional living means:

  • Saying no without over explaining
  • Resting without feeling like I need to earn it
  • Choosing peace over performance
  • Allowing myself to grow out of what no longer fits

This year, I’m honoring my needs without guilt and trusting myself enough to follow my own rhythm.

What I Hope 2026 Brings

I’m not chasing perfection in 2026. I’m choosing alignment. I’m choosing thoughtful decisions, steady progress, and a life that feels good from the inside out.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that intention changes everything. It shapes how we move, how we create, and how we show up for ourselves day after day.

Here’s to a year of living on purpose.
Here’s to a year of intentional choices.
Here’s to 2026.

The Sassy Sweatsuit – A Cozy Second Make

There’s nothing like a pattern that you love enough to sew twice. The Sassy Sweatsuit by Patterns by Dee definitely earned that honor in my sewing room! This is my second time making this pattern, and I have to say, it’s just as enjoyable as the first. The first one was made in November 2024 (the black and white). I am starting to see a theme with this pattern and the month of November.

For this version, I used a soft sweatshirt fleece (I wish I could remember where I purchased it — clearly I need to start labeling my fabric stash!). The fleece provided an excellent balance of warmth and structure. This makes it ideal for cozy weekends. It is also perfect for casual days out.

Easy and Beginner-Friendly

One of the things I really appreciate about the Sassy Sweatsuit is how beginner-friendly it is. The construction is straightforward, and the instructions are easy to follow. If you’re newer to sewing and looking for a confidence-boosting project, this one is a great choice.

Small Alterations

The only adjustment I made was to the pant length. I removed about 4 inches to get the perfect fit for my height. Otherwise, the pattern fit beautifully straight out of the envelope.

Final Thoughts

This is one of those patterns that I know I’ll reach for again and again. It’s comfortable, stylish, and comes together quickly — everything I love in a loungewear project. The Sassy Sweatsuit is a reminder that sometimes the simplest makes can bring the most satisfaction.

Until next time,
Keep the Sew Life with Riesha Nicolle 💜

Viki Sews Erica Top in Hunter Green Sweater Knit

The Viki Sews Erica Top is such a beautiful balance of comfort and style! I wanted something cozy yet chic for my Fall Capsule Wardrobe Collection, and this pattern was the perfect choice. I used a soft, lightweight sweater knit in a rich hunter green — the color feels so elegant and ideal for the season.

What I love most about the Erica Top is how effortlessly it can transition from casual to polished. I wore it with jeans for a casual dress day in the office and paired it with booties and a matching belt to complete the look. It was comfortable enough for all-day wear but still looked put-together.

I also plan to make a pair of trousers to go along with it for a more elevated, coordinated outfit option. The fit of the top is relaxed yet flattering, and the sweater knit gives it that perfect drape — cozy without being bulky. This pattern was simple to sew, making it a great project for confident beginners looking to add a stylish knit top to their handmade wardrobe.

Pattern: Viki Sews Erica Top
Fabric: Lightweight sweater knit in hunter green
Skill Level: Confident beginner

Until the next make, remember — confidence looks good on you.

💕 Sew Life with RieshaNicolle