And so begins our first Tips & Advice post. Let us know what you think, and if you have any requests for a specific future post of the kind, for crafting/writing motivation or otherwise. 🙂
During the last few days, with all the rain and blah-ness drifting in, I wanted to set aside all feelings of dreariness (well, as many as possible) and think about all the blessings that have occurred, in relation to school, friends, and academia in general. To start with, here’s a simple question: How much do you, Dear Reader, remember from your school years? Do you remember all (or most) of the friends you made, the hilarious escapades you and your buddies took part in, or initiated? What was your favorite subject? Who were the teachers who influenced you the most, who made you genuinely want to pursue that subject as a future career?
I ask all this because it’s important not to lose track of who we once were, while at the same time figuring out how than can help form the person we want to be. Sometimes going back and looking at the past isn’t all that bad. Sure, there are the times you wish you’d gotten someone’s contact number, or kept in touch with certain people. But there are also so many wonderful things to look forward to–new friends to be acquainted with, new places to explore, new things to create. It’s the last aspect that I’ll be focusing on in today’s post.
Disclaimer: I can’t exactly say that I have decades of experience in this yet, because technically I’m not that old. 😉 However, I hope that by reading this post you’ll feel even more compelled and motivated to go out there and make a positive difference in the world, if you haven’t already.
When it comes to creativity, it can go any number of ways. Something as simple as a creative thought can blossom into a wonderful, complex and innovative project. Some of you may be wondering how to get from one point to another. From experience, I can tell you this: creativity isn’t linear. Nor is creative thinking. It can seep into your mind at any given time and stay there, or only be present for an instant before suddenly vanishing. The difficult part is how to harness that creative energy and use it to enforce positive thinking, and produce genuine ideas. (Genuine meaning original; something that hasn’t really been brainstormed before, but that can become a remarkable possibility.)
On the surface, this sounds easy. And it can be. But not always.
As the years go by, most people lose being in sync with their creative years. Now, creativity isn’t always limited to youth; it can still come very easily in adulthood. But sometimes it’s more a matter of rediscovery than starting from scratch. As in, going back and pondering what it was back then that made you, perhaps, more open and accepting of things. Aside from imagination and intuition, it can be any number of factors.
Also, sometimes it can be just as hard to figure out what creative niche you find yourself most comfortable and productive in. Not everyone will find crochet therapeutic; I’ve had a number of friends who get quite frustrated with it very quickly. Whatever craft, hobby or pastime you’re pursuing, make sure it’s fun and enjoyable, and does not make you feel frustrated or worn down at the end. (Although, if you’re someone who likes a good challenge, stick to handicrafts for awhile… you may be extremely delighted with the result of your hard work. 🙂 )
Once you’ve identified the creative realm that you feel best suits your interests, sticking to it will be the next bit of work. Make sure to be consistent, and to also take sufficient breaks in-between projects. In short, maintain a good balance with consistency, and respect for the craft/hobby. It’s like having a friendship with someone: you don’t just cut off contact once you’ve met, if you really want to be friends. You keep calling (though not excessively), and keep wanting to hang out, in a positive way.
Such is the same with crafts, and essentially, writing. While the skill never really goes away–as you Fellow Crocheters and Knitters are aware, the motor skills do stick in the brain for quite some time–eventually there comes a point when you start losing the skill. Don’t wait until that happens. Make the most of what you know, embrace it, and don’t hold back on the innumerable possibilities that can stem from it.
And now comes the most important thing: share your skill, experience and knowledge with others. I truly believe creativity is meant to be shared, and even more so as a community project. Even if you’re not the kind of person who loves group interaction, just sharing techniques and what you know with someone can be wonderfully fulfilling.
From following these simple methods of productivity and diligence, I believe, you can stay at the top and feel very accomplished. (Or, as Abraham Maslow would put it, you’ve reached your point of self-actualization.) 🙂
Hope this has helped in some way! If it has, please let me know. Also, if there’s anything I may have missed in this post, or more of something you’d like to see in future, please leave a comment below. It would be lovely to hear from you!
Until next time!~
