So...the multi-talented, "modest" (NOT), multi-tasker that I am, I picked up yet another "hobby"...making jewelry! And any new hobby warrants a brand new, dedicated blog. So that's been done too.
A distant (technically), close (practically) relative just found out I have blogs...because I promoted the jewelry one on FB. She said she loved to read blogs, and went through all of mine. And left an email how much she enjoyed reading about everything I was upto. And I replied, yeah, there's a lot of things I start, never continue with anything. To which she responded, well, you at least start, I don't even do that. She said she read all my posts, enjoyed them, but was too lazy to comment :)
Well, I ain't lazy now, am I? Had to come up an entire new post to respond to her!
Her comment got me to think, what is it that stops us from trying things out? I know this girl, lets call her Concha, (hehe :) is an amazing painter. There may be other things she loves to do as well. I have noticed folks that are artistically inclined find various outlets for their creativity. So I bet there are other things too.
So what is the roadblock?
I came up with a few things that would apply to me....
- Daydreams....some of these amazing ideas I have, that I never got around to implement, are simple flights of fancy. They may not be difficult at all, but are just passing thoughts. They come, make me smile, and go away. Off late, this has started to bother me. I seem to find jewelry design ideas in pretty much everything that I see. (My shoe laces got a good bit of attention today! No, don't worry, they are not coming off my shoes and going onto someone's neck! I will buy new ones :p). Especially at night, when I am tossing and turning, and thinking about what I should do the next day. Amazing ideas! Which are gone by the time I wake up. I don't have a solution to this problem :( You may suggest that I note down my ideas and refine them later. Can't do that. I would never sleep if I did that! The only half-baked solution I have come up with is to think of one or two projects at a time instead of letting my mind wander the universe. If the scope is limited, I can focus and remember better.
- Ease of implementation...this can definitely be detrimental, epsecially when you dont have all the material and equipment you need. But this can also be an opportunity to think outside the box. I have done that quite a few times with my jewelry..the standard component is not available, but I absolutely HAVE to finish something to find peace of mind. Rummage around, use something else, and voila, interesting new technique. I have turned into quite the hoarder too. I collect things that catch my eye even though I am not sure what I will do with it. I recently asked my husband to give me some of the used postage stamps he collects...want to turn into a pendant, I said. He gave me a funny look, no stamp :(
- Laziness...we are all guilty of it :) When we have our idea, we mostly think of the end product. Not the work that goes into it. You start to think of the mundane things, and you give up even before you start! I DETEST doing accounts for my jewelry business, actually so strongly, that I sometimes think why am I even doing this! Luckily for me, my husband set up an easy spreadsheet for me to use in the beginning and my nephew is helping me find more powerful software that will help me get this beast under control. If this is what is stopping you, find help! Someone else might actually like doing what you hate (no, cleaning up your mess does not count here!)
- Lack of time...I think this is mostly an excuse. Sometimes it is a genuine reason, but mostly it is an excuse. Whenever I feel I do not have time to do everything I want to, I think of a friend of mine...she works full time in same office as me, has two small kids, goes part time to grad school...and she managed to run a half marathon. Just thinking of her makes me get off my butt and get going!
- Company...is very important. If you have folks you can bounce your ideas off of, who would encourage you to get better with your efforts, the enthusiasm stays. Boredom is kept at bay if there are others involved. My friends and I started a "craft club" 2 yrs ago. At the first meeting itself, we were all wondering how long this club would last. We meet once a month, everyone brings their own project to work on, share ideas, learn new things and have a good time. We will have our 2nd "birthday party" next month! Whodathunk!!! Building a team is definitely going to make your interests stronger and deeper. So go out there and find your buddies!
- Sense of purpose...this is a big one for me. Most of my crerative pursuits died in their infancy because at some point I would think why am I even doing this. Am I achieving anything at all? Most of the times, the answer was "nope". Other than using the time to do something other than watching tv, or reading, nothing else is accomplished. On the contrary, hobbies can be expensive. You want to buy the best equipment, get the best training..all of this costs money. I am pretty frugal by nature. So I get all my training through library books, use material I can find around the house (no, no, don't worry, I am not going to use those shoe-laces) and so on. Even if the money factor is taken care of, I would not be happy after pursuing something for a few months. I needed a "purpose". And I got that for my jewelry hobby! Folks loved my designs, offered to buy them, and I donated the money. A lot of good achieved, I am happy I get something challenging to do, my friends are happy they have something unique and beautiful, and the charity gets much needed funds. I have my purpose!
I would strongly encourage everyone to atleast give their ideas a chance to see the light of day. You will feel good, may decide this is what you were meant to do with your life and continue, or decide that you don't really like it, and be glad that you tried and now you know for sure!
That is what happened with my "writing career". I love writing my blogs, so thought maybe I should try some freelance writing work. I tried to find something I would like. Believe me you, I could find nothing! This made me realize I am not really a writer, I just like to talk and say what's on my mind. So gave up on that idea, but am glad that I know that this is not for me. Write your blog, and be happy. No need to worry about making a living out of it.
So Concha, unleash your ideas and enrich the world with the vibrant colors of your art! And if this list does not cover your reason for not trying, then let me know, will throw another post at you! All the very best, dear!
