The Things We Think While Making Things
Making things comes with all sorts of thoughts. One moment you’re enjoying yourself; the next, you’re wondering whether the whole thing belongs in the bin. Lately, I’ve been getting curious about the thoughts that make me want to stop—and whether I’ve really lost interest in the project or just reached a difficult bit.
I used to think that if I wasn’t enjoying making something, perhaps I shouldn’t be doing it. If it wasn’t going well, maybe it was time to quit.
These days, I’m a little slower to dismiss a project. Sometimes “I don’t like this anymore” means “I don’t know how to do the next bit.” Sometimes it means “What if I spend all this time on it and it turns out badly?”
Fear can sound surprisingly practical.
Maybe you recognize yourself in a few of these frames.
I’m learning to pay more attention to the thoughts and feelings that turn up when something isn’t going right. I don’t always enjoy looking at them, but I’m curious about what’s underneath that sudden urge to abandon the whole thing. Why does it bother me, really?
Do I still like the project, but dislike one part? Do I know something needs changing, but can’t figure out what? Am I already imagining what someone else will think of it? Or have I simply lost interest?
Those are different situations, even when they all sound like “this is no good.”
Sometimes I need to try something different. Sometimes I need to leave it alone for a while. And sometimes I really do want to stop. I’m just less quick now to assume that feeling frustrated means I’ve chosen the wrong project.
I don’t have to finish everything. But I’d rather not throw something away just because I haven’t worked out what it needs yet.
Sometimes it’s nice to leave “is it any good?” unanswered and just see what happens next.
What thought would you put in a frame?
Keep exploring! 🖤
©Maiiou. Maja Piskorska. All rights reserved.
“Negativity is the enemy of creativity.”
