CROCHET CLUB & STEPPING OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE

One of the things I said I wanted to do this year was learn how to crochet. I set myself a challenge last year to read a book a month and ended up reading 38 books—smashing my goal and in the process, I rediscovered my love for reading,so I wanted to set myself another little challenge this year. I use the word 'little' lightly because, as of yesterday, I officially joined a crochet club, and I can already tell that this is going to be a real challenge!

I found a local crochet evening that meets every fortnight on a Thursday, and after going back and forth with worrying, I finally built up the courage to sign up. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone is something I really want to do more of this year. I want to truly live and enjoy life, rather than just existing within the safe spaces I’ve created for myself. Recently, I wrote a post on rediscovering yourself—not only embracing your own company but also being brave enough to do things you once thought you couldn’t do alone. This was my chance to practice what I keep preaching :)

So, yesterday was my first crochet club meeting, and I won’t lie—I was absolutely terrified. It almost felt like going on a first date, that strange mixture of excitement and nerves, where your stomach is in knots, and you’re questioning every decision that led you to this moment. Dramatic? Maybe. But the truth is, I rarely do things just for myself anymore, and taking this step was a big deal.

The club meets in a pub, so I found myself standing outside trying to psych myself up before walking in. Eventually, I went in and got myself a drink and headed upstairs to where the group was meeting. And that’s when all my nerves disappeared.

It’s a small group, just six of us, plus the lovely lady teaching us. From the moment I sat down, I felt at ease. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. Half of us were complete beginners, struggling to get our hands to cooperate with the yarn and hooks. Let me tell you, I did not get it at all at first! I was losing the will to live at one point, staring at my tangled mess of yarn. But we were all in the same boat, laughing through our frustrations, encouraging each other, and celebrating the tiniest victories. By the end of the session, I had managed to create a small stitch to take home, and that felt like such an achievement.

I can already tell that this is going to be one of those experiences that not only teaches me a new skill but also helps me grow in ways I didn’t expect. I’m really looking forward to the next lesson, and I’m excited to see how much progress I can make by the end of the year.

So, if you’ve been thinking about trying something new but keep waiting for someone to do it with you—this is your sign. You don’t need anyone else to take that first step. You have yourself, and honestly, that’s enough. You’ve got this!

My crochet journey begins now. Let’s see just how far I can go!