My mom has always called me an obsessive person. When I get a new idea, I just simply can’t be quiet about it. I wouldn’t call this a flaw because what’s so wrong about being inspired about new ideas? Nothing really. Unless you forget about those ideas the next day. A couple years ago, I went to Turkey and fell madly in love with the ceramics I saw there. I watched people effortlessly throwing their clay and making smooth, beautiful dishes that they would later paint in intricate, rich designs. Right then and there, I decided I would someday have a shop full of hand thrown ceramics. No big deal! So I took a little class on wheel throwing and made a few lopsided bowls. Then I worked more in a friend’s pottery shed in the sweltering summer heat and it was so difficult that I just completely gave up. The artists in Turkey made it look so easy, but I didn’t have the patience or upper arm strength. That dream was pretty short-lived for having been talked up so much.
I think technically there isn’t anything wrong with having creative ideas and then letting them go, because not everything is for everyone. It’s good to at least dip your feet into different crafts, tasks, or hobbies sometimes. If you dabble in it, at least you can say that you tried it. And trying new things is how we decide what we really love and what we just appreciate from afar, right? I have learned that it’s best to make sure I truly enjoy something before I announce to the whole world that it is going to be my full-time job, forever. This past week, I was inspired in a brand new way and took interest in some online courses. I told everybody I saw about it and they were like, “Oh that’s neat!” But my mom (who speaks the truth even when I hate it) said, “Okay, but you’ve said this before…” Basically, I’m the girl who cries wolf all the time. Do you struggle with this at all? There are currently a few things I’m so excited about, but I’m trying to keep them on the DL until I know for sure that they are real. It’s rough.
Natasha says
Oh gosh, I’m terrible with staying motivated. There have been so many times when I thought “This is it!” and then I lost interest. I’m starting a small business with my boyfriend now and it’s perfect because he’s doing the creative work and he’s never going to stop drawing, it’s just who he is. And I’m never going to stop being excited about what he does because he’s amazing :)
Audrey says
This is the story of my life. I love being so easily excitable though. It’s fun to try new things and see how they go! Even if I love them at first, and end up deciding it’s not my thing, I’m always glad I tried. So I say more power to you! Keep learning new things and getting excited about them. It’s a blessing to be able to live with passion.
…but yeah, maybe it’s a good idea to not plan your life around things just yet. [:
Angela says
ha, sounds like me! I can totally see me picking up ceramics like you did. When I first joined Etsy it was to sell greeting cards. I absolutely love cards but I now know it’s unlikely that I’ll make a business out of that! Crochet works much better for me, though I would’ve never guessed that would be the basis for my business. I love to try anything I can though–you never know what will stick!
Heidi says
This is totally typical of creative types. My sister and I talk about this all the time– we always have so many projects going on at one time because ideas are constantly popping into our heads. Not all of the ideas come to fruition or turn out how we had envisioned, but I think that is a natural course for any creative person. I don’t see it as a bad thing, but rather as a way to stretch your boundaries as an artist. I have to laugh a little because just this past week I thought of yet another brilliant idea for my card shop, and I plan on going to the store today to pick up the materials I need for this new endeavor that I may or may not actually love in the end…. Haha!