Friends, family, strangers—everyone gets the same paperwork now.
Because here’s what I learned from sewing Sophie’s dress: If someone is thrilled to take your time, your skill, your labor, and then makes you feel guilty for wanting to be paid, they were never really your friend.
They were just auditioning you for the role of an unpaid extra in the story they’re telling about themselves.
I don’t want that part anymore.
So I stepped off her stage, picked up my needle and thread, and started rewriting my own script instead.
If karma wants a supporting role, that’s between her and the universe.
I’ve got hems to finish and a life to live.
And next time someone smiles at me and says, “You’re so talented, could you just whip something up?” I’ll smile back, hand them a quote, and see if they still think my work is just a favor dressed like friendship after all.
