Be confident and stay weird

Grappling with imposter syndrome? Creative people often find themselves in this predicament. It can be paralyzing.

What is there to do? I used to overthink every little detail before I even picked up a pair of scissors and, as a result, I regularly failed to even start a single project. It was a sophisticated form of self sabotage. I was very good at listing all the reasons why I shouldn’t bother.

But no more.

Doubting your ability to learn and grow is really exhausting. A lot of energy is wasted pushing a boulder of self inflicted negativity up a very steep slope. And for what? In the words of Groucho Marx: “Nothing!! Not even ice cream!”

If you’re reluctant to try something new for fear of failing, stop right there! Instead, give yourself the chance to learn something new. You don’t belong in the proverbial hamster wheel of doubt and procrastination. No offense, Mr. Hamster, but it sounds awfully boring. 

I say go for it and be dreadful at whatever tickles your fancy. Thinking that something is only worth doing if you excel at it is a fallacy. Be the worst dancer on the dance floor, knit a hat that’s three sizes too small, or make your first collage with scraps from the bin. The important thing is to have fun. Keep practicing, stay psychologically flexible, and try new stuff. Be confident. Give it your own unique spin.

If collage is on your bucket list (and it should be), everything you need to navigate it enjoyably is in these guides: Discover new tools and materials, learn the basics of composition and technique, and get inspired by collage artists from all over the globe.

Chin up! You can do this!

Confident Making Collage

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Coming apart at the seams is my hobby

Getting myself over the finish line after six weeks of pneumonia is proving difficult. I’m one of those long distance runners who lose all motor control in the last few miles of the race, and end up meandering all over the place. I have the will, but my body is saying no.

I used to be a tough cookie. I don’t mean it in a brawny kind of way, but rather in a bend but not break way.

Because my health was fragile from infancy, I got used to running on fumes. For a while, I was able to kick butt and take names without ever recharging my batteries. Now the only thing I (almost) kick with amazing regularity is the bucket, and then (with any luck) I take naps. Times they are a-changing.

What is there to do? Adaptation is the only way forward: Thicker reading glasses, cushions to prop me up, contraptions to help open jars, shoe orthotics for aching knees, inhalers, pill boxes, splints, and industrial strength spanx to keep it all neat and under control in public. That’s a good Tuesday for me.

It’s hard to be patient when your body is always sabotaging your every move. I expected more of my sixties, to be honest. Fortunately, there’s still one bright spot in my life right now, and that is making art. My frustrations tend to dissipate while I work on a collage. It’s a real blessing, and I’d be lost without it.

I’m a firm believer in the power of creativity and I can wholeheartedly recommend that you try it whatever is troubling you. Besides, I’m not really qualified to do anything else and a girl has to make a living somehow. Old age is not cheap.

Jokes aside, thanks for supporting me. Your appreciation means the world for this old lady, and your purchases fuel my recovery (and also my doctor’s new fancy ride, to be honest).

Stay healthy and get old as disgracefully as you can. ❤️