Old Enough to Know Better
it's about love
Hello again. So glad you’re here.
Being creative makes you happy, but perhaps you aren’t taking or making time for your creative self. Yes, you are old enough to know better. You know what to do, but do you? The phrase implies that one has a certain level of responsible thinking about their actions. We know what is right or best, but do your shoulds get swept away by the woulds and coulds? How many times did you say, “I don’t want to,” when you were a kid? How often do you say it now? I say it a lot. And I don’t like myself when I do, because I do know better. Yet, still, I don’t always act better. And then I feel bad about myself. I don’t like to feel that way. It is comforting to know I, we, are not alone in this conundrum~
I don't understand myself. I want to do what is right but I do not do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate ... It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what's right, I inevitably do what's wrong. St Paul, Romans 7:15, circa 50-60 AD
What’s really interesting is that you are already very familiar with the technique required to remedy the situation. It’s called a habit. You likely have several of them. Hopefully most are good, but chances are many of them are bad - bad habits. You’re not lazy. You have lazy habits.
We choose to fall back on our lazy habits because they are easier or more (immediately) pleasurable in the moment. Immediate pleasure exerts a much stronger influence than thoughts about creativity, long-term health, happiness, or well-being. If it makes you feel better, a lot of bad habits are repeated subconsciously. It’s a split-second fallback reaction.
When you pursue your goals and strong desires or tackle a new challenge, you have to confront the prospect of change. Even slight changes can require stepping out of your comfort zone. We tend to avoid discomfort.
Like getting up and out of your easy chair (so named because it’s easier to sit there than doing something else???)
Or turning off the TV.
Or going shopping.
Or confronting the mess in your art space
Or simply sitting around thinking about what you should, could, or want to do, but don’t.
A [bad] habit cannot be tossed out the window. It must be coaxed down the stairs one step at a time.” Mark Twain
Do you want to be comfortable or do you want to be proud of what you accomplish? I’m thinking proud, so here goes~
Create a new habit (or restart an old, abandoned one. How long would you give a child, loved one, or good friend to create a new habit and turn it into a routine? Give yourself that same amount of time. A bad habit wasn’t created in a day. Good habits are not either. You have to consciously work on them.
Set small goals to begin with. 5 minutes/day, 3x/week. (chances are you’ll exceed them quickly.
Keep a record. Post or place it somewhere out in the open that encourages you and serves as a reminder of your accumulating accomplishments.
Create a reward system. While maintaining a good habit is a reward in itself, it’s even more rewarding to earn a prize or gift for yourself when reaching a certain level. Even better, include someone else in your reward. Then you get to share bragging rights.
Be kind to yourself. If you miss a day, don’t give up. Love yourself enough to do it the next day. Don’t stop.
I have a new article, Narrative Threads, in the next issue of Art Quilting Studio available in March.
I’m heading to California in March to film an episode for TheQuiltShow.com
A couple of spots have opened up in my Sold Out Ireland Cyanotype, Stitch & Story retreat. I’d love for you to join us. Details HERE.
