One of the things that frustrates me about myself is I'm afraid to try new things. I don't mean a new dinner at a restaurant or a different route home but a new project. Usually what happens is I get an idea, I'm excited about it....and then I think. And think. And think more and more, hoping that if I think long enough I'll get the idea just right so that when I actually do it, there's nothing that could possibly go wrong. Well, of course, something inevitably goes wrong and I tell myself it's okay because I thought as long as I could.
Example: I've been planning a quiet book for a year or two now. I've drawn designs for the pages, bought fabric and notions but I can't make myself actually sit down and sew. I know I'm going to make lots of mistakes and get frustrated.
But why can't I just try something without thinking for so long and not care if it doesn't turn out well? I've decided to do better, so here's my latest project: piano lessons!
I'm no concert pianist but I know enough that I can teach a beginner. I thought about it for a few weeks and then took the plunge and asked friends if their son would take lessons. They said yes and today we met for the first time. I remembered how much I like teaching children and using a part of my brain that I haven't in a while, even having kids.
I've also thought about taking a quilting class for a long time but hadn't signed up because of some silly excuse. Now I've decided there will never be a convenient time so I picked a date anyway and it's going to be fine.
I hope this motivation will last a while and I can get more things accomplished instead of adding to the list of Things to Do or for me, Things to Think About.
