by Sammy Dahlstrom
At the start of this year, I did what a lot of us do. I got my fresh new planner, pulled out the pastel highlighters, and sat down with a hot cup of tea to map out my big goals. I had plans to write and release multiple quilt patterns, grow my newsletter list, and even set up a content schedule that would make any social media strategist proud.
I mean, my professional background is in HR and operations. I live for a good spreadsheet and a goal review. And I genuinely love writing patterns, which makes it all the more fun, right?
But then life happened.
Curveballs came in the form of unexpected personal challenges, shifting priorities, and, honestly, some plain old burnout. My “schedule ahead” dreams faded into a downward spiral of catching up. I’d open my laptop only to feel behind, try to write or edit photos, then quietly close it again feeling like a failure.
If any of this sounds familiar, I want you to know: you’re not alone. And you’re not doing it wrong.
Goal setting can be an empowering tool, but only if it’s flexible enough to adapt to the real lives we’re living. That’s why I’ve pulled together a process that’s grounded in experience. Not just mine, but in the work of David Emerald and The Empowerment Dynamic. This isn’t about shaming yourself into hustle mode. It’s about stepping into the role of Creator with compassion, curiosity, and clarity.
This 8-step reset is especially for creative women - moms, makers, side-hustlers, and dream-chasers - who want to reconnect with what matters most. Whether your dream is to sell your first quilt pattern, carve out more “you” time, or just finish that quilt that’s been languishing in a bin for years, this is for you.
Step 1: Set the Scene and Take Yourself Seriously
This isn’t something you do in five minutes between carpool and dinner.
You need space. Not just physical, but mental and emotional too. That means intentionally creating time to think, reflect, and reconnect with yourself. Choose a time of day when you’re clearest. Maybe it’s early morning before the rest of the house wakes up, or after everyone’s in bed and the house is still.
Wear something that makes you feel good. Eat something nourishing. Light a candle, play some music, or head out to a local library or coffee shop if that’s what helps you focus.
By setting the scene, you’re signaling to yourself that this process is worth your time. You’re worth your time.
Step 2: Get It Out of Your Head (Without Judgment)
Grab your favorite notebook or open a fresh doc on your laptop, and start writing freely. Take a deep breath, then ask yourself:
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What goals did I set earlier this year?
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Which ones have I met? Which have changed or fizzled out?
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What actually got in the way?
Maybe you were overambitious. Maybe a family emergency reshaped everything. Or maybe, if you’re being honest, you set a goal around something you thought you should do… but didn’t really want to.
This step is about honesty, not judgment. You’re not being graded. You’re having a conversation with your present self about what’s really working and what’s not.
Step 3: Look Back with Curiosity, Not Criticism
This is one of my favorite “real talk” practices: the retroactive time audit. It’s not as scary as it sounds.
Part 1: Flip back through your calendar or planner. Evaluate how you spent your time. Were there weeks when you were really productive? Times you felt drained or lost momentum? What were the patterns?
Part 2: Peek at your phone’s screen time (I know, yikes). What apps are taking more time than they give? I’ll go first: Instagram “market research,” online shopping, and compulsively checking email… they’ve eaten up hours I thought I didn’t have.
Write down a few things you want to do less of and a few things that genuinely give you energy and you want to do more of. Your future self will thank you.
Step 4: Return to Your Why
This might be the most important step of all.
In The Power of TED*, David Emerald talks about the difference between being a Victim and being a Creator. Victims react. Creators choose. And the key to becoming a Creator? Understanding your why.
Your “why” isn’t some corporate slogan. It’s the personal reason you’re doing this at all. Maybe you want financial freedom. Maybe you want to model entrepreneurship for your kids. Maybe quilting helped you heal through something hard, and you want to share that gift with others.
If your goal doesn’t connect to a deeper why, it’ll lose momentum fast. But if it’s anchored in meaning, you’ll find a way, even if the path looks different than you expected.
Step 5: Dream Big (Even If You’re Not Ready Yet)
Okay, here’s where we dive into the vision for our future.
If time, money, or fear weren’t in the way… what would you create? What does your ideal day look like? Do you teach quilting workshops in your backyard studio? Do you sell handmade quilts at markets? Do you design patterns full-time or partner with a fabric brand?
Don’t worry about the “how” just yet. Your job right now is to dream with as much detail as you can. Because big dreams give you energy, and that energy fuels forward motion.
This is your Envisioned Future. And even if it takes five years, that’s okay. The dream deserves to be named.
Step 6: Define Outcomes That Matter to You
Let’s shift from dreams to outcomes.
A good goal isn’t just about crossing something off a list. It’s about what changes in your life when you achieve it. Think beyond dollar signs (though yes, money is great too).
Grab your journal and start writing:
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What will this goal allow me to experience or feel?
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How will my daily life improve if I make this happen?
For example, when I set a goal to write a bi-weekly newsletter, it wasn’t just about consistency. It was about deepening relationships with my audience, building trust, and sharing stories that mattered. Yes, I hoped it would help sell quilt patterns, but the real win was connection.
Step 7: Consider Your Limits (with Love)
Now we look at what’s actually possible in the next six months.
Do you have kids at home during the summer? A full-time job? Travel planned? Health issues?
This step is about working with your reality, not against it.
Also, ask: where can I call in support? A babysitter for a few hours? A co-working date with a friend? A tech-savvy teen to help turn b-roll into Instagram reels?
You’re not supposed to do this alone. Let your goals be ambitious and grounded.
Step 8: Craft Your Refreshed Goal Statement
Now that you’ve reflected, dreamed, and gotten honest about your circumstances, it’s time to commit to something new.
Use this formula:
I will [what you want to achieve] by [when] because [why it matters to you].
Examples:
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I will finish my first quilt and gift it to my daughter by Thanksgiving because I want her to have something handmade that connects us.
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I will release two digital quilt patterns by December because I want to build a creative income stream for 2026.
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I will set aside one Saturday a month for uninterrupted quilting time because I deserve joy and rest.
This is your promise to yourself. Not a restrictive contract, but a commitment that you choose.
Final Thoughts: You Can Begin Again (And Again)
Goals are wonderful. But they can also be a trap if we tie our worth to them. Life changes. You change. That’s not failure - it’s growth!
Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is pause, take a breath, and choose again.
If you’ve fallen behind, it doesn’t mean you’re not capable. It means you’re human. And being human means learning, adjusting, and trying again with more wisdom than you had before.
So here’s what I want you to know:
You’re not behind.
You’re not broken.
You’re not too late.
You’re right on time to begin again, with clarity, courage, and a plan that fits your life.
Want a Free Workbook?
If you’d like a printable worksheet that walks you through all eight steps (with space to journal and brainstorm), I've got you! It’s a great way to hold space for yourself, even if all you have is a quiet 30 minutes and a hot cup of tea. Click the link below to download the worksheet.
GET IT HERE!
Now go grab your pen, your planner, or your favorite app… and start again. You’ve got this!
About Sammy!
Hi, I'm Sammy, the quilter, designer, and creative behind Sonder Quilt Studio. My quilting journey began in 2018, and since then, I’ve been combining modern design with functional beauty. With a background in photography, art, and graphic design, I love experimenting with color, shapes, and textures to create unique quilt patterns that inspire creativity.
My designs are influenced by everyday moments, architecture, and the idea that everyone has their own rich story to tell (hence "Sonder"). Whether you’re new to quilting or a seasoned pro, my goal is to offer clear, approachable patterns that help you create something beautiful, without overcomplicating the process.
I also offer tech editing, graphic design, and coaching services to other quilty business owners to help ensure their patterns are polished and professional and running their business feels like fun.
Thanks for reading—let's make something amazing together!
*Here and Now Quilt by Sammy Dahlstrom of Sonder Quilt Studio
*Kinship Trail Quilt by Sammy Dahlstrom of Sonder Quilt Studio
*Windowpanes Quilt by Sammy Dahlstrom of Sonder Quilt Studio
Want to learn more about Sammy, or work with her? Check her out at www.sonderquiltstudio.com.