I embarked on the upcycle challenge on April 1st, a significant date marking the 20th anniversary of my brother’s passing. He was the one who ignited my love for footy and instilled in me a deep fear of spiders. His life was a whirlwind of adventure, and I recall clinging to him on the back of his motorcycle as we sped through the rear laneway, helmetless—a secret kept from Mum. It was during these exhilarating moments that I discovered my appreciation for speed, a value that resonated throughout the challenge. My aim was to complete one upcycling project per day, and I accomplished 26 projects in 30 days. Progress often crawled along, typical of upcycling endeavors. I had to tap into my creativity, often disassembling one garment and integrating elements from another to realize my vision. At times, frustration crept in, and I found myself being overly critical. I became aware of my negative self-talk, prompted by the stress of the process. Watching motivational YouTube videos on self-talk served as a temporary fix, reminding me to treat myself with the same kindness I extend to friends. Despite the challenges, I gleaned invaluable lessons from the experience. Upcycling fashion proved to be more demanding than creating garments from scratch, but it expanded my skills and perspective. Now, when I look at a piece of clothing, I envision multiple ways to transform and enhance its appeal.
One of my favourite projects of the challenge
