Day 20 – Try a New Hobby: A Tale of Tangled Yarn and Stubborn Determination

You know that moment when you finally decide to tackle the thing you’ve been “meaning to get around to”? Yeah… that was me with knitting. Day 20 of the mental health challenge called for trying a new hobby, and I figured this was a good time to dust off the knitting needles that have been quietly judging me from a drawer for way too long.

To be fair, I didn’t intend to knit while camping. But with the weather being mostly chilly and rainy, I absolutely could have. Instead, the needles sat exactly where I put them—untouched. As with many things lately, I found myself surrounded by good intentions and equal parts procrastination. But at some point, I knew it was time to stop avoiding the quiet little corners of my life that I’ve been ignoring, and finally just start.

So, I picked up the yarn, took a deep breath, and started in on what I thought would be a simple cloth. Let me just say—this was not my first fiber rodeo. I’m an avid crocheter, so naturally, I assumed knitting wouldn’t be much different.

I was very, very wrong.

Casting on? No idea what that meant. Stitches that sound like medieval fencing techniques? Had to Google every single one. And despite four hours of genuine effort (and several strong words under my breath), I managed to get halfway through the cloth—but only after pulling it apart ten times. TEN. My fingers were sore. My neck was stiff. My pride was somewhere in the corner unraveling like the yarn I kept having to restart.

But here’s the thing—I tried. I committed to trying something new, not just once, but with enough persistence to say I gave it a fair shot. That’s the point, isn’t it? To step into the unknown, struggle a bit, and figure out whether this new thing feeds your soul or just confirms it’s not for you. Knitting might not be my forever hobby, but I’m determined to finish this cloth and a few more after that. If it clicks? Great. If not? I’ll hang up the needles and go back to my trusty crochet hook with a clearer understanding of what I love and why.

Trying something new isn't about immediate success—it's about growth. It’s about learning where your passions really lie, and how to stretch yourself, even if just a little. Not everything has to be a lifelong commitment. Sometimes you try, it’s a mess, and that’s okay. You still come out of it knowing yourself just a little better.

And who knows—maybe once I get the hang of it, I’ll be the person handing out hand-knit dishcloths like Oprah. Or maybe I’ll just be the person who tried and now knows better. Either way, it’s a win.