we started off with good intentions... || knitting vlogmas 2023 day 12 

Thank you for the realness. It’s been a hard holiday season for me and the validity and solidarity this provides is immeasurable. Also even if you didn’t accomplish what you set out to do, you took care of a sick baby, went to the gym and picked up your other babies. No moment is truly wasted, it may not be the day you set out to have, but you’re still always doing something and sometimes that’s helping a baby rest. Or very much helping this internet stranger feel less alone in the chaos of stay at home mom responsibilities.

These are my favourite episodes - the realness, the truth, the every day chaos of trying to be festive but also just getting through the days

Omg - you had a HUGE day! Being a mom is most definitely a “day job” and you crushed it today. Thanks for sharing the realness and I wish you some peace and reset that fills your cup back up.

I can’t express how much this video means to me. My career is 100% personal service focused and I often feel so alone in my hardest moments,or just exhausted from near constant masking. Your words reminded me that I’m not alone in this journey! The encouragement to dig into my needs and my routine is exactly what I needed. Thank you ♥️

Vlogmas's are tough, hell the amount of time and effort that you all put into them is like a full time job! Honestly take a break if you need it, not everyone does everyday. We don't expect anything flash, it's just lovely to have you chat with us for a bit, we aren't going anywhere! Hope today was a good day and thanks for being you xxx

I think your impact is far more reaching than you realize. The advise, realism, the truths that you are sharing will have a ripple effect. Thank you for all the work and effort to share your content with us.

I have ADHD and anxiety. I really appreciate hearing someone else has similar struggles. My brain can be a cute, little liar too. Thank you for your honesty and sharing and authenticity. I hope you have a better day today and tomorrow and the next few days.

My kids ALWAYS get sick when I have a work meeting I can’t miss and my husband is out of town on a work trip. 16 years into parenthood and it still trips me up!! I LOVE your honesty about mental health! It’s so nice to hear another human speak the thoughts that are in my head!!❤

You are an absolute light in this world. Thank you for embracing & celebrating the fact that we all exist in multitudes, especially at a time of year when there is so much pressure to be externally cheerful all of the time. Your impact is felt, and greatly appreciated🥰

Your realness is appreciated! The sense of drowning in “Things to do” is never ending for me….so seeing you deal with the same thing and how to were able to reset is noteworthy-worthy 📝. Sending love crafty cousin!

I think that by being your true self and being vulnerable and honest, it makes your channel SO MUCH more relatable and worth watching. When people put on a false self and act like life is just peachy all the time it makes everyone watching think they don't measure up. By showing that you have some days that are off, it gives us all the space to acknowledge our normalcy in having days like that as well. All that to say, thank you so much. Thank you for it all. I am loving what I've seen on these vlogmas videos and because of your authenticity, I am sure I want to stick around!!! Also, side note.... being more extroverted has its drawbacks as well. I think it's one of those "the grass is always greener" thoughts. It can feel very lonely when you need to charge your social battery and others aren't available.

I appreciate how real you are! And how thoughtful. Also, please nerve feel like you need to put out a video, it’s 100% ok to skip a day if you need to! You matter more than content!

You being honest with yourself allows and gives permission to others to do the same. ❤ i bet it feels so good to be honest about where your at and I appreciate more people that are doing that!

i think a lot of the fun of watching a vlog is just seeing what someone else is getting up to. you said you hadn't filmed a lot, but as a viewer it felt like plenty. you having to take care of your child made me think back to my own childhood and being taken care of like that. its a very cozy vibe which i love feeling in these christmas vlogs. i also think your home decor and the way you edit with sound makes every video a vibe even if you're not able to do much of anything.

And this is why I watch... Your self-reflection is so powerful.

I am new to your channel (heard about you on Sandy's channel). You are such a breath of fresh air. I am 62 and been around a block or two and wanted to encourage you to feel free to call your next vlogmas "Day 13-15 or 16" or however long it takes you to feel equipped to post another video. There is NOTHING saying you have anything to compete against or show up for. These episodes should bring you a much joy, making them as it does is watching them. So if you need to hear this, please be kind to yourself. We will love seeing you again WHENEVER you busy life schedule permits! ❤ and blessings, Kirsten from Canada xxx

I have to tell you, I love your Vlogmas. Your message today hit home. I, too, suffer from anxiety and depression. Panic attacks are the worse. There have been many days I've had to reset by, honestly, curling up in bed and sleeping. I am blessed to have a significant other who understands this and encourages me to rest when it is evident I am struggling. I feel like I could have an entire conversation with you here, girl! From motherhood (I have a 5-year-old son who is kicking my butt), to balancing work, home, personal health, social engagements, and the list goes on...and is making me tired just thinking of it all (Lol)...I literally now just want to sit down and knit. Anyways, my son did watch one of your Vlogmas' with me (I think it might have been day 1 or 2) and he said, "Can we meet Maressa, and her kids?" You left an impression on him too.

Sad and anxious girlie here, and I love your authenticity and vulnerability. I know that sharing that can be empowering, affirming, but also emotionally taxing. Love that you’re honoring where you’re at today, and hoping you show up when/how is healthiest for you. Rooting for you crafty cousin! Also, also thanks for the reminder that our output/productivity has no correlation to our worth!

Your vlogmas videos have been such a comfort for me these past couple of weeks, as I've been in a funk recently with my mental health. I appreciate your energy and vibe so much, as well as your realness and honesty. However, please don't feel like you have to push yourself for us to have videos to watch, your mental wellbeing is worth so much more. Lots of love from Norway

A student of my told me to be my authentic self. I took her feedback to heart and I push myself to doing that. Today, is a bad day for me. I cried and have felt so frustrated by my emotions. I appreciate your honesty and reminder of taking care of our needs.

I really needed to see Mommy realness. My flow was broken when I couldn't drive my van this morning. And my 4y/o got sick on the way to ABA this morning. Now she has a fever. Yay! Motherhood 🤯

Self-care includes acknowledging how you feel in the moment. ❤

Yes !!! This is exactly what I enjoy about your vlogmas and yr videos now. You are you and how you are feeling is You. Thank you for having this conversation and making it “normal” . I continue to love watching you and love when you said self care is taking care of your mental health “it’s creating routines that keep your brain healthy” … I’m going to write that down and repeat that every day … you are so incredibly right 💖💖💖

Watching your kids knit is so precious! I'm gonna teach my nephew how to crochet for Christmas, I hope he can be as focused as your girls lol

Being able to stand up for yourself - and saying STOP for yourself, when it is necessary... this is so strong. Thank you for being so brave. All the best to you

I hope your daughter feels better and everyone is healthy for the holidays. Family comes first. You come first. Don't worry about us. We'll be here when you post. If you have to bundle a few days that's fine too. BTW I love that your girls are knitting. 😍

My girl really said dark yarn, dim light…no problem. A superhero ❤

Love your authenticity. Also, thank you for all of the work you’re putting into your videos. You are amazing every day, no matter what.

When content creators are real, It helps the watchers. We say wow I'm not crazy. Other people are going through things, too! We love watching you... but if you need to take time off, we'll still be here waiting. Stanley always steals the show ❤

I think you have an excellent point about the amount that content creators "give" and don't get recognized for. Even the other videos where masking was required; THAT'S content creation too and it's exhausting to be "on stage" like that. Also, there's a lot of emotional labor that I think goes into content creation and influencers; managing a "brand", interfacing with followers, etc. etc. Anyway, hopping off that soapbox to say; thank you for showing up for the anxious girlies, the ADHD girlies and the sad girlies and every girly in between. Arrive when you can, crafty cousins will be here! ✌

Life is hard. And we all know that. And if you are on here being Miss Perky and everyone and every little thing is just wonderful…weeeeeellllll we all know you be lying and being fake. Life is hard ….. but it’s also wonderful and exciting and beautiful. You do influence people and it is so much more appreciated when you do it from a place of truthfulness and honesty. So far this vlogmas you have shown us the full spectrum of you, but not in a way that says”oh, feel sorry for me. Poor me, my life is hard”. You say… I’m having a bad day but look at me… I’ll be ok , just give me a minute. I think you’re amazing. Keep up the good work!

The cracks let the light shine through. We appreciate you! ❤

These vlogs are bringing up so many feelings for me. I relate so much to your fear of not being good enough and wasting time. I can’t relate to the feeling of putting it out there for those to see. Im honestly very curious as to how it’s affecting you. Watching your honesty and love that last few days has been inspiring but it brings up a lot of questions for me. (I’m sorry if I’m overstepping) Why have you shifted to unmasking? What has changed? How important is it to have moments that are solely for ourselves? What is it doing for your mental health to be sharing your life this way? How do you feel about filming your family? How do they feel about it? How would you define confidence? No need to answer all the questions I’m just really interested (as a hesitant RU-vidr) in opening up a dialogue about the affects of this honest content :) be well ❤️❤️❤️

You’re an awesome woman, wife and mom. You can only do what you can do and I appreciate that you even spoke about what you’re going through. I hope your baby girl feels better (and you as well)! 💕

Yeah that adhd cute little liar brain is an arsehole. I have one too. I’m in awe of how you are doing these videos, looking after 6 humans and Stanley, and not murdering everyone. The hyper focus interruption rage is so very very real. Appreciate you being real and not masking! ❤ lots of love ❤️

Thanks for saying everything you did at the end, especially today. I have been on hyperdrive for two weeks straight and today was the first day that I didn't have to do anything. My partner was starting to get on me that I wasn't getting out of my pjs and I realized that every part of my body was telling me to stop and take a break. I told him this and he understood. But it's hard not to feel guilty for taking a beat and slowing down even just for a second. And by the way slowing down was me sitting on the couch finishing a gift knit while my 18 month old climbed all over me, so like still not the most relaxing day in paradise.

I love your videos! You are in my prayers. It is very difficult to get things done, especially with children. They need our focus more than other things at times. 🥰❤️🎄🙏🏻

Just now catching up on vlogmases because December really went off the rails for me… so appreciate your realness and normalizing having good and bad days ❤

So I'm catching up on Vlogmases after a crazy work week, and I know I'm a little behind, but like others who have commented, I appreciate your honesty here, especially about the ADHD overwhelm and what that looks like (which I know from personal experience, and it's so helpful just to see that it's not just me!). I normally lurk but felt compelled to say that, and also how fun your Vlogmas videos are! (even when more somber, like today). Thank you for posting!

I’m so glad I found your podcast! You are real and I love it. You are my people.

THANK YOU for your honesty and vulnerability! I started my knitting podcast earlier this year and got a great response, but I felt so inauthentic because I was deeply unhappy and masking. You've given me so much food for thought. You're helping me learn how to give myself permission to be real in this space too 🙏

I love your honesty and everything about you and your podcast! You are good enough! You are amazing! Don't listen to that voice! I am amazed by what you get accomplished in a day ❤️

Girl, you are more than enough you are the best, I don't care about dryers or whatever, I care that you are OK, as someone who is anxious all the damn time I feel you, you got this, take care of you ❤️

I love you cuz!❤❤ I love and appreciate the realness and transparency. You really help show that its normal to not to have it all together, it normal for days not to go as planned. Even through the struggle you show us that taking care of ourselves is extremely important. We're all here for you cheering you on through the good and the not so great times.

Ah. I just love you so much. You keep loving yourself girl, and take that break when you need it. We love watching your vlogmas but lord knows we don't want it at your expense. You just keep doing you, and don't feel pressure to have to do any extra for content. We all out here living our lives, same as you. Everyday isn't a full episode of Real Housewives.

I constantly question myself about whether I'm doing enough. And days where I need to reign it back make it so hard. But I'm also working on being kind to myself on those days, and I really appreciate you sharing those moments honestly. Sending you lots of love! Also just want to say, that whether you did one day of vlogmas or all of them, I'd be stoked to watch it. Here for whatever you can do in a sustainable way.

Thanks for being so vulnerable. I needed to hear this myself.

I thing doing a daily vlog with four children is a giant task, especially as you are preparing for Christmas. I think it is so smart to be kind to yourself and listen to what your body is telling you. If you miss a few days vlogging that's okay! Just do what you can do.

Hi, sweet friend! Please don’t feel pressured to put out videos. You are wonderful and so generous for sharing your Christmas with us. But-the holidays by themselves can be really emotionally draining and that is without creating videos! Be gentle with yourself and do what you need to take care of yourself. Thank you for being real and authentic and amazing. But-it is okay to be gentle with yourself, too! 🤗

It is so cool seeing your littles knitting! Love Stanley 😘

I truly have no idea how people do vlogmas - I recorded content for a "day in the life" video last week and it was unbelievably time consuming plus then editing, publishing etc. You are one of my very favorites on the knitting interwebs because (1) I have the exact same ADHD brain as you and (2) I love everything you knit. Oh and Stanley Dwight Rutherford IV of course. Well done keeping it real today - I'm about to go take my me time right now, having just put the kids to bed Imma take a shower and knit my face off till I fall asleep!

PLEASE please please never feel pressure to do more than you can with this. I know it's a goal that you want to make an interesting, fun video every day, but your mental health really isn't worth it, and I think we would all rather not see a vlogmas for a day or two, or see a really short one, than know you are you under pressure that is having a detrimental effect on you. Obviously you're a grown ass woman who's been doing ths for a long time, and you know what you can and can't handle so I hope this doesn't sound condescending 😅 I just never want any content creator to feel like WE as the audience would be disappointed or mad if you don't upload every day. I promise it's fine! I've already seen some vloggers skip days because they were sick or having a bad day and it didn't at all affect my enjoyment or engagement with their content.

This makes me feel less alone ❤ I know it’s hard to share but thank you !

I'm so sorry you've had such a hard time. I understand your anxiety as I've experienced it to the extreme myself. I hope you can gain some strength in knowing that we are all here for you too. You're doing a fantastic job ♥️🤗 and I think you're a wonderful person.

Dude! I truly appreciate your honesty at the end of this video and resonate with everything you said. ❤

Great video. Please continue being real.

The chaos of motherhood means that we have to be flexible and kind to ourselves. I am so happy that you took the time to do that in this video. It was so so worth it for me to see. Please do not feel that you need to do this everyday. I literally just watched your entire back catalogue for the I think second time and it is just like hanging out with friends. You have a wonderful vibe and I am thankful that you are willing to share yourself and your family with us. You rock all the socks (sweaters and shawls). Do you boo! Take all the days if that is what you need. Love, Your new Crafty Cousin ❤❤❤❤

You have a great impact. Being authentic is the most important I feel : I am a teacher in high school and I always say to new teachers to just be authentic or the students will feel it. We all support you. ❤

❤

I appreciate you and your authenticity. And I really love what you said, that self care is creating routines that keep you mentally and physically healthy. 💜

A good friend of mine is celebrating her birthday tomorrow night and at first I was excited to go but the closer it came, the more I started to panick because of where she is having her celebration. In the past I would have pushed through and gone anyway but this time I honored my feelings and declined to go. I apologized and let her know I was feeling overwhelmed and she understood.

Thank you!

Keep up the great Vlogmas content. No one is 💯 % every single day. You have 4 kids, that’s a a 24/7 job x4 humans you need to keep alive. Hang in there, and give yourself a little grace. I want the maple marshmallow! I hope it was delicious!

So glad you're taking care of yourself! I love it when people talk about what self-care really is because the trap of wanting it to be an easy thing is so tempting. The reminder is always a nice one, and that you're not the only one doing a hard thing ❤

Thank you 👏🏼 👏🏼 ❤❤

hang in girl

Thank you thank you thank you.

Stuff will get done when it gets done and if it doesn't get done then that's okay. I know run-on sentence. Stanley is such a cutie.

You are my new favorite vlogmas! Love your style and your whole vibe! 🩷 Also, where is your hot pink coat from??

Your podcast was recommended to me. As soon as you spoke, I knew you were from the South. I'm from Tennessee. You sound like Texas?? Your dog is so cute and your kids. Enjoyed!

I had to pick up my son earlier today for the same reason

If you still need help setting up your mic, my partner is a sound tech and he said he might be able to help you. Lmk! Love your content and your energy ❤

I love this. I love u showing your vulnerability. But please do not, DO NOTTTTT go to bed late. You are harming your body by doing that.

Girl, you have FOUR kids. How is that not as busy as a day job! Cut yourself some slack.

❤

❤

❤

❤