But the magic has waned for me. There just isn't that spark. There are, without question, people and activities that I will miss. But the cons (the old girls' club, differing viewpoints on quilting and life in general, etc.) far outweigh the pros for me.
But here's the thing, people. I'm not a tree. I can leave. If you're in any situation that's not working and that's not going to change, you can can leave. So that's what I'm doing. I'm done worrying about it.
I will be forever grateful to my renaissance friend, Adrienne from Chezzetcook Modern Quilts for having the courage to do what I didn't - start a modern quilt guild in our city: Maritime Modern Quilt Guild. Now I go to guild meetings with an excitement that I haven't had in a long time. I hate to miss it! I feel, for the first time in a long time, that I'm surrounded by like-minded people. At MMQG, I'm not the odd one out any more - the young one, the one who works, the modern one, the one who loves Konas, the one with the blog. We've only been together for a short time, but when it feels right.... well, you just know.
This post is not in any way intended to disparage my (now-former) guild. If anything, it's meant to encourage you to join a guild, any guild. Why? There's so much to see, to learn, to experience. Go shopping for a guild that suits you. And if it doesn't, don't worry. There's no kids involved and you don't have to sell the house. Move on. Keep shopping. If there's nothing in your community, start a guild. Or if that seems like a huge undertaking, find a blog (or make one!) and build your own community. There's one thing you can be certain of: no matter what you're doing, there's someone out there doing it too... and they'd love some company!
J
P.S. If you live in (or near) the HRM and want to give the MMQG a try, our monthly meeting is this Thursday at the newest stop on the fabricaholics fix tour, Patch Halifax. Check the MMQG blog for more details.
Well good for you, i totally agree sometimes we get stuck and need to get unstuck!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I am so glad you found a better fit! :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you, for realizing this and acting upon it. And yay MQGs!! I'm involved in the MQG in my city and our meetings are so very different in flavour and tone from the local traditional guilds.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! Time is the most precious commodity we have, so spend it with the people you enjoy :)
ReplyDeleteWhat Serena said :) Funny how we stay stuck in situations that we really don't need to stay in at all. Good for you for moving on!
ReplyDeleteYou need to do what's right for you and your family. I'm so happy that I met you (in person) before you left. We will still have the online friendship :) Best of luck, Jenn.
ReplyDeleteLike!
ReplyDeleteGood for you. We have a modern guild in Montreal, but it's too far from me, I'm working the morning after ! I know what you mean. I'm member of a guild for one year now, and only two people are younger than me. I may not be as "modern" as you but I'm still the more "modern" of them. But it's a guild that meets at night, wich is rare. Half on the women are still working at daytime, so we have a variety of people between 40 and 80 (and a young one of 25 !). Other guilds in the area are "day" guild, so I supposed them to be way much more traditionnal (and older people) than my acutal guild. But it's sometime hard to be the only one who's doing something different (I'm the only one who is doing FMQ). I had a conversation with a woman about hand quilting, wich is the only good way to achieve a quilt, other methods are not just as worthy as hand quilting. You let this people talk and you continue your journey. As a revenge, I'm the program coordinator for the guild this year, I will try to challenge them a little bit. I don't think I will succeed very much but I'll try. The previous guild coordinator had a hard time with those women who still want to do things like their grandma. Good luck with your change.
ReplyDeleteYou had me worried when I saw the title and the logo! I thought you were leaving the Guild you're in with Adrienne! Luckily you're not!
ReplyDeleteBeen there, done that! But I haven't found part B. Good for you.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteLike I always say, life is short! You need to do what you love and what makes you happy. I am forever grateful to everyone who comes out and give the MMQG a try. I needed a quilt community and you all make it happen! How lucky are we!
ReplyDeleteGood for you - why do something if you aren't happy doing it! This is just why I joined blogland - to meet up with some people who like the same stuff as me and then talk, share and learn more about it! Hoping to join my local Modern Guild too!
ReplyDeleteYes, life is too short and we have too much to do and you can get a lot more done when you are happy! My excitement level has taken off like crazy since joining the MMQG..and talk about likeminded..I want to make everything you make! You are such an inspiration to me, Jenn.
ReplyDeleteOur local modern guild doesn't have the resources of the original association. A better alternative for them, I think, would have been to pool resources (stay not split) but form a special-interest subgroup. Sometimes, when a guild isn't working, it can be tweaked. Some among the grey-haired set in the original association make things as modern as the younger group, and they have some amazing skills for the younger girls to learn.
ReplyDeleteHave you heard the expression, "Make like a tree and leaf?" Perhaps, I should set aside the 100 Jokes Book. I'm glad you have found an opportunity to have fellowship with other quilters that better suits you.
ReplyDeleteThat was a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteAnja sent me here; I recently had a similar incident. You've said it very well. I tried for 2 years, even took a job on the executive to try to break in to the old girls' club a little more. Figured this week that I don't have time in my happy life for something that makes me upset and frustrated. :-)
ReplyDelete