I agree with everything your mother says! I'm so impressed you took up pottery with your busy work schedule, and that you're getting so much enjoyment out of it. The article resonated with me because I took up watercolor about 10 years ago. At first it was sheer delight, because I was such a novice, and I was happy just painting a color wheel. Then I started wanting to get good, and it lost some of its joy. My goal is to not worry about it being good, and to just play. When I was teaching creative writing, I used to tell students "It's OK to suck," (credit for that line goes to an actor in the artist-in-residence program I was in), in hopes of freeing them up. Now I keep reminding myself that every day! ("It's just paper," my watercolor teacher reminds me.) Anyway, I'm looking forward to more posts! (And I love the photo of you with your grandfather -- what joy, in your faces!)
I love the encouragement to try new hobbies! Last month, Nabil and I did a salsa class and it was just like so fun to do something new. I don't know why as adults we forget that hobbies and "extracurriculars" exist? I feel like Covid helped remind people in some ways (like everyone started baking). Overall, I really enjoyed reading about your experience and thought it was really encouraging and a great reminder to get out there and try new things that make us happy without being afraid to fail.
First of all…. I love the things that you’ve created both in your ceramics class and here on substack. Your self disclosure is brave as well as thought provoking. Our culture is so focused on success and achievement that it’s hard to do something for self enrichment or fun. We are constantly comparing ourselves to others, to make sure we are good enough. You are both smart and lucky that you are discovering this while still a young person. Many people wait until they are retired to explore parts of themselves previously ignored. I encourage you to continue identifying those activities that bring you satisfaction and make you happy in the moment. I’ve recently started taking music 🎶 lessons on an instrument I played as a child …. I’ll never be playing on a concert stage but in the privacy of my home, it brings me great enjoyment to make music.
Carry on…. your Tata Joe would be very proud of you.
I agree with everything your mother says! I'm so impressed you took up pottery with your busy work schedule, and that you're getting so much enjoyment out of it. The article resonated with me because I took up watercolor about 10 years ago. At first it was sheer delight, because I was such a novice, and I was happy just painting a color wheel. Then I started wanting to get good, and it lost some of its joy. My goal is to not worry about it being good, and to just play. When I was teaching creative writing, I used to tell students "It's OK to suck," (credit for that line goes to an actor in the artist-in-residence program I was in), in hopes of freeing them up. Now I keep reminding myself that every day! ("It's just paper," my watercolor teacher reminds me.) Anyway, I'm looking forward to more posts! (And I love the photo of you with your grandfather -- what joy, in your faces!)
So great to hear from you! “It’s ok to suck” - I love that and also need to remind myself this daily 😊
I love the encouragement to try new hobbies! Last month, Nabil and I did a salsa class and it was just like so fun to do something new. I don't know why as adults we forget that hobbies and "extracurriculars" exist? I feel like Covid helped remind people in some ways (like everyone started baking). Overall, I really enjoyed reading about your experience and thought it was really encouraging and a great reminder to get out there and try new things that make us happy without being afraid to fail.
You are inspiring ME to take a salsa class! How fun. Thanks for your comment :)
First of all…. I love the things that you’ve created both in your ceramics class and here on substack. Your self disclosure is brave as well as thought provoking. Our culture is so focused on success and achievement that it’s hard to do something for self enrichment or fun. We are constantly comparing ourselves to others, to make sure we are good enough. You are both smart and lucky that you are discovering this while still a young person. Many people wait until they are retired to explore parts of themselves previously ignored. I encourage you to continue identifying those activities that bring you satisfaction and make you happy in the moment. I’ve recently started taking music 🎶 lessons on an instrument I played as a child …. I’ll never be playing on a concert stage but in the privacy of my home, it brings me great enjoyment to make music.
Carry on…. your Tata Joe would be very proud of you.
You inspire me!