We have all heard the phrase, “I lost my mojo!”, but what does that really mean? I recently experienced losing my cross stitching mojo, and let me tell you it is not fun. My sewing needles lost their energy. My fabric lost its luster. My floss lost its color. I lost my mojo! I had no desire to cross stitch. These were dark times, to say the least.
What is “Mojo”?
No, I am not referring to the seasoning used in Latin American cuisine. I am talking about the state one may find themself in when they lose their enthusiasm for something they love. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of “mojo” is a magical spell, hex or charm. However, in modern slang terminology, “losing your mojo” means to lose ones confidence, energy or enthusiasm in something they enjoy.
How Did I Lose My Cross Stitching Mojo?
There are many different reasons for someone to lose their mojo. I lost my cross stitching mojo in March of 2022. This was after a series of stressful events in my life: my mother-in-law recently passed away, my sister was diagnosed with lung cancer, my daughter was going through the college application process, a close family friend recently lost his son, my son was experiencing difficulties handling all of these events, which caused him to struggle in school, and we moved from our home of 20 years.
I simply felt burned out. It was as if I had hit a brick wall and did not have the desire to do the things I once loved. I did not want to cross stitch, talk about cross stitching, go on social media, watch FlossTube, or even shop for cross stitching supplies. These things were once integral parts of my daily life. I loved to cross stitch. I loved talking about cross stitch. I loved watching and recording FlossTube. And I absolutely loved shopping for cross stitching supplies. During this time, I could not help but ask myself why. Why did I not want to do these things anymore? Why had I lost my mojo? Why was my passion and former way of releasing stress no longer appealing during this incredibly stressful time in my life? As I was going through this depressing stage in my life I knew I had to snap out of it, but how?
How to Regain Your Cross Stitching Mojo
The most important thing you can do if you ever lose your cross stitching mojo is to simply be patient with yourself. Do not force yourself to stitch. Forcing yourself to do something you love when you are not in the mood will only result in you resenting that thing, and pushing away from it. I was fortunate enough to have an amazing support system of family and friends who understood what I was going through, and they gave me the space I needed to rediscover my passion. Over time, I was able to start to slowly emerge from my funk by finding small, creative jobs to keep me busy. One of the first small steps I took was organizing my new sewing room at our new home after the move. Soon after I accomplished this task I began looking for small, simple cross stitch projects to help me ease back into my hobby. Even though I had numerous stacks of WIPs (Works in Progress) filling my sewing room drawers that I could have worked on, the size of most of these projects was unappealing, and I still lacked the former mojo and motivation I had once had to push myself to complete these projects. I knew at the time that I did not need to cross stitch anything big or long term. I simply needed to have a feeling of accomplishment, which I found in smaller, short term projects.
Suggestions to Get Your Mojo Back:
Though reorganizing my sewing room and taking on small cross stitching projects was helpful in my journey to regain my mojo, there were also many other things that helped me find my mojo. Below, I have listed advice which greatly helped me, and they can help you too!
- Be patient
- Get your rest
- Talk to family and friends
- Go for a walk
- Garden
- Do not force yourself to stitch – the desire to cross stitch will return
- Find other activities you enjoy
- Brighten your day with fresh flowers
- Organize your cross stitch supplies
- Buy new cross stitch supplies
- Visit a local needlework shop
- Watch FlossTube
- Go on social media to see what other people are stitching
- When you return to stitching, start off with a small project (this is not a time to start big)
- Ease into it! There is nothing wrong with taking a break, and there is certainly no timeline for your passions, so do not feel like you need to make up for “lost time”
- Cross stitch something from a designer you have not stitched before
- Celebrate the small victories!
I hope you never experience losing your cross stitching mojo, but if you do, I hope this article helps you get back to doing what you love. For me, cross stitching brings me so much peace, relaxation and happiness. But most importantly, always remember that a finished project is better than a perfect project.
So, to conclude, I am thrilled to announce that I have my hoop back in hand!
Happy Stitching!
Annie
I’m Annie, and I love all things cross stitch and quilting. I enjoy helping others finish their cross stitch pieces and learn to quilt. My philosophy is that a finished project is better than a perfect project. Join me as I share my not so perfect finishes with you. Welcome!
Thank you for sharing your advice Annie.
I sometimes can feel overwhelmed if I have too much in my collection. I enjoy as you did organising and clearing out things I know I will never stitch. I give myself permission to let go.x
Thank you!!
I’m so glad you got your mojo back. I’ve gone through similar things.
I think we all do. But, they’re powerful. In fact, they feel insurmountable. But, they are not. I sincerely hope your advice will help others.
I hope so too
Thank you for sharing Annie! Life can be overwhelming at times. Your advice is excellent! I think giving yourself permission to process things and being patient with the process is so important! So glad you’re mojo is back!!
Thank you! It is a process, one that needs patience.
Thank you Annie! I’ve lost it too and am trying to find my way back. Heading to Stitch-Con A, so I hope it comes back by then!
I hope so too! I will be at Weekend A – see you there!
What an insightful article Annie. I think there are many events in life which can overwhelm us, and especially when they all seem to happen in the same time frame. Your body and brain needed a break and I am so glad you were able to analyze the whys of losing your ‘mojo’ and then share that information with the rest of us.
We all struggle at times, and isn’t it helpful to know we are not alone. I’d add two other things to do when your ‘mojo’ is missing: take long walks and work in your yard. I know that always helps me.
You are such a beloved Flosstuber that your followers missed you and are so happy that you are back again with your infectious enthusiasm!!
Thank you so much! I agree, I need to add those to the list. You are such an inspiration to me and so many stitchers, business owners and women. Thank you for your friendship.
I appreciate your openness and encouraging words.
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you!
Wow…has never happened to me…yet. I tend to stitch more under stress and sadness…it brings me joy. Cross stitching is a release for me…good thing since it’s also my job!
As I read your post Annie I think about the events in my own life that warrant my attention. I love floss tube but have to watch selectively; I tend to compare my time while others have finished 10 projects to my 1 piece. Constantly have to remind myself that I can’t stitch every new pattern that I see. Thanks for sharing you positive solutions with us!
You are absolutely correct! Do not feel like cross stitching is a competition. Stitch what you want, when you and as fast as you want. I have to remind myself that those on FlossTube stitch a variety of things to share. This does not mean they finish all they show. I had to stop comparing, and just focus on what I enjoy to do.
Annie, this is a great article! We all get in a funk in different times of our life, but it doesn’t last forever. It’s good to be reminded of that and have coping mechanisms. Happy your “mojo” is back! 🌮
Thank you!
All of a sudden your life is trying to hold it’s self together and then, something, one thing to many happens and life is changed. This happened to me , almost to the day twenty years ago. , of an almost fatal car accident, I was always so grateful my 6 month pregnant daughter, had ridden with her sister. But when your life changes so much, you just need to get through each day. It was at least a year before my stitch mojo came back and then left again for a few years . When you think of all the things that have happened the last 7 or 8 months in your life, it’s very hard not to lose a bit of yourself for a while, a bump in the road. Sometimes bigger bump than others. It’s hard on the soul, but with the Lord’s care and love, it finds its way back. Life is changed forever and life goes on, but it does take time. I just learned that one problem I have had for twenty or maybe 18 years ago, is, I compared myself to someone, my old self. I am sorry I went on and on, it just seemed like I had to explain something once in awhile.
Thank you so much for your comment and for sharing. You have put into words what I could not. xoxo
What a great article. I lost my mojo many years ago when the stress of my job, dealing with the passing of family members and caring for the surviving spouses kept me too busy and tired to stitch. I would sometimes remember the joy and the desire would come back but there was no time nor energy to devote to stitching. But as scripture tells us, “For everything there is a season…” and I knew that someday I would be able to pick up cross stitching again. Then came retirement!! I wasted no time going through my charts from 25 – 30 years ago, checking out all the new designs I found online and purchasing so many from designers I’d never heard of (probably because they were babies when I stopped stitching in the mid 1980’s!!) Since retiring, I stitch almost every singe day! It brings me such comfort and joy but now I have sooooo many FFOs to do!! Watching you has been such an inspiration to get started on that part of the fun! Thank you for sharing your time & talent with us!!
Thank you for commenting. I am so glad that cross stitching has found its way back into your life. xoxo
Thank you🌻
So glad you got your mojo back. I enjoy your floss tube.
Thank you
Boy, can I relate to all of the above. I lost my husband almost 5 years ago and since I have lost my mojo in many things. I took care of him for 14 months . Since then I have worked on eliminating things in my life that bring me stress and find things that I calming . Cross stitching brings me comfort and also knitting and reading. That what I mainly stitching I don’t worry if I will get them done or not. It doesn’t bother me. I do things at my own pace. So far this has been very helpful to me . But cross stitching and my other interests are coming back but not as fast I would like but that’s ok with me. As long as I cross stitch a little each day, I feel good.🤗
Thank you for commenting. I am so glad you have cross stitch to get you through all the stressful events. May it always bring you comfort. xoxo
I have lost mine as well! Thank you for writing this article it really helped me to not feel alone in this weird phenomenon.
You are very welcome. It is so hard to go through it. Please let me know when you get it back.
Thanks for the article!
Annie. So happy for you in your new adventure. A wonderful shop to contact is Kathy & David at Hobby House Needlework in Pittsford NY. They are wonderful people & have 2beautiful shops. & adding a quilt shop as well.
Cheers!