"Burnout" needs to be called exactly what it is - usually exploitation. i think we're trying to "individual" our way out of a problem that's collective and systemic.
"It’s better to take things at the pace I can manage" - a lot of burnout recovery is just being brutally honest with yourself, especially about capacity
I do struggle with autumn, and I am also in the PNW. Coincidence? It feel neither here nor there for me as a season. Not warm or dry enough to be comfortable, not cold enough to make hibernating feel justified.
I am excited to find your page. I am making a dress in linen that I want to dye with natural pigments, and I had never considered mushrooms. My brother forages mushrooms in Montana, and I wonder if it could become a project between us.
AHH! I feel EXACTLY THE SAME! The weather is all wrong and changes too much through the day, let alone the soppy nature feeling like it lacks the true definition of a season to me also. We are about to get our first big storm of the season today and it's been prefaced with some rain. There was about a week of crunchy leaves and a small attempt at "Fall" aesthetics and now it's just wet, grey, and barren. I keep trying to wear a wool sweater and having to take it off after a few hours much to my chagrin haha!
Dying a linen dress with natural pigments sounds INCREDIBLE. I just thrifted yesterday some linen napkins to dye with acorns I foraged (intentionally just before the storm lol). They're supposed to create a deep brown-grey dye that looks stunning. I am extremely excited about the mushroom pigments too. I can't wait to try it out!
It's so cool that your brother forages mushrooms in Montana - it could be such a cool project between you two! He will probably be jealous of the array we have in the PNW. One thing I've learned is that everyone who does lichen or mushroom dyes lives here just because it's got the most variety. Fall storms also bring down more lichen to sustainably harvest and turn into dyes as well (I have a few ammonia-bath lichen dye jars going that I need to check on, with the hopes they'll turn purple). Lichens and mushrooms? Perhaps they are the key to finding some spark of joy in this season haha!
"Burnout" needs to be called exactly what it is - usually exploitation. i think we're trying to "individual" our way out of a problem that's collective and systemic.
"It’s better to take things at the pace I can manage" - a lot of burnout recovery is just being brutally honest with yourself, especially about capacity
i liked the pics from your purple basil dyebath!
I do struggle with autumn, and I am also in the PNW. Coincidence? It feel neither here nor there for me as a season. Not warm or dry enough to be comfortable, not cold enough to make hibernating feel justified.
I am excited to find your page. I am making a dress in linen that I want to dye with natural pigments, and I had never considered mushrooms. My brother forages mushrooms in Montana, and I wonder if it could become a project between us.
AHH! I feel EXACTLY THE SAME! The weather is all wrong and changes too much through the day, let alone the soppy nature feeling like it lacks the true definition of a season to me also. We are about to get our first big storm of the season today and it's been prefaced with some rain. There was about a week of crunchy leaves and a small attempt at "Fall" aesthetics and now it's just wet, grey, and barren. I keep trying to wear a wool sweater and having to take it off after a few hours much to my chagrin haha!
Dying a linen dress with natural pigments sounds INCREDIBLE. I just thrifted yesterday some linen napkins to dye with acorns I foraged (intentionally just before the storm lol). They're supposed to create a deep brown-grey dye that looks stunning. I am extremely excited about the mushroom pigments too. I can't wait to try it out!
It's so cool that your brother forages mushrooms in Montana - it could be such a cool project between you two! He will probably be jealous of the array we have in the PNW. One thing I've learned is that everyone who does lichen or mushroom dyes lives here just because it's got the most variety. Fall storms also bring down more lichen to sustainably harvest and turn into dyes as well (I have a few ammonia-bath lichen dye jars going that I need to check on, with the hopes they'll turn purple). Lichens and mushrooms? Perhaps they are the key to finding some spark of joy in this season haha!
I spent a few happy years making natural dyes Emma. It is immensely satisfying. I never did mushroom though, that sounds like fun!
I am so sorry you are suffering and struggling. If there is anything I can do to help, please reach out.
I’m always up for a walk, as you know.
Cheerily
Jane
Thanks for sharing your struggles and your explorations.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting Kim!