I was once told if you have any FREE time, use it to help someone else. ( Insert Googley Eyes Right Here).
Let me explain: I am about to set a few people Free today. Honestly, I never agreed with that statement.
At this point in my life, any amount of Free time I have, I want to work on something or do something that brings me joy. Or maybe, just maybe, finally, try that childhood dream that I need extra time to accomplish.
I know that may sound selfish to some, but who cares? Life is moving fast, not to mention there are not many hours in a day for a gal like me, over 50, to keep starting over.
Although there is no starting over for me at this point in my life, it's either do something fulfilling or just work, wait around, and die. (No Pun Intended)
SideEye: If you're reading this and feeling shady towards me, allow me to break it down.
It's 24 hours in a day, but most people work at least 40 hours a week. We all have a total of 168 hours for 7 days. That seems like a lot of hours for a week but:
8-9 Hours per day goes work: Don't forget you have to get up one hour before scheduled work to get ready. I live in Texas so it takes an hour to get to work because I have to drop the kids off at school. Repeat in the evening, 1-2 hours back home.
Now it's nighttime, and I still have to cook dinner for 2 hours or more, help with homework, and listen to what my family has to say about their day. By now, it's 10pm at night.
Wait, my husband is getting off work and eating dinner around 11pm or later. And now he wants to talk and tell me about a job I don't care anything about. lol(not joking at all:).
Most likely, I am hitting my pillow around 1 am every day, hoping to get enough sleep before I have to start the day all over again. So, any Free time I have, the good Lord wants me to rest.
In all due fairness, I will not talley up all the hours I am doing for others (seen or unseen). Honey, it has taken years for me to take my Free time and do what I want with it.
Just My Point Of View! At this point, we all know how to show up for others, especially in a time of need. But, darling, if you are not drowning in the Louisiana Bayou or being chased by a pack of wild cats, my FREE time is non-negotiable.
Now that I have gotten that off my chest, I can move forward into a purpose-filled life.
I have learned over the years that almost everything in life has a chance to start over, except time. Moving forward, I have come to understand this about myself. I had a dream as a kid and I never let it go. So, in my FREE time, I work on cutting up denim to make handbags and accessories. Yes, my creations may be a little weird or odd but I love making conversation pieces so much.
In 2021 I decided to jump head first into finally making denim bags from old second-hand items. I even hand paint ugly art on most of them while mixing in different fabric prints. My hobby has brought me so much that I turned it into an online business.
What was once a childhood dream has turned into a life of possibilities. Each item I make tells a story through the weirdness and oddity of each piece.
For example, my dominoes bag has an ole' school nostalgia that stems from my family getting together and slapping dominoes down on the table. Back in my day, family games kept the family together. I remember the smell of family backyard BarBQUE'S from the grill and children running around playing hide and seek.
The clothespin bag represents my grandmother and sometimes my elders hanging clothes outside. It seems strange now but those were the times of joy I remember.
The abstract bags stem from my younger days having just blocks and broken toys to play with. So, I have learned how to use old pins and token charms to make something nostalgic.
The ugly art paintings on every denim bag have a message that there is beauty in all imperfections. It's the colors and uniqueness of it all.
My earrings and bags all collide into a funky grunge vibe that embarks on my underlining weirdness that is openly fashionable.
So, if anyone asks where it is Tangie-Please tell them I am off using my FREE time to make something that makes me smile.
Lastly, I used to believe my sadness was because I was missing something but I have learned if I am sad, it's because I am doing nothing. I am in charge of my time and how I use it, especially my FREE time.
WOW! I feel so good about documenting my life. Thanks for reading. I hope to see you in the next blog post.
XO Tangie
Hope You're Living And Not Just Existing!
You can see more of my handbag-making on my website Funky Grunge Boutique:)
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