Trying Too Hard?

Have you seen a video or picture that you couldn't help but chuckle at because the person in it was "trying too hard?" When we "try too hard," we go overboard and often ruin the original goal we intended. In some situations, this can be funny. In others, it's like banging your head against the wall.

My struggle, for instance, is trying to create. I want to be artistic and make things and bring people happiness. I keep berating myself for not producing more (and better) results. If I don't make something "perfectly" by my standards, I feel like I have failed.

The funny thing is, I would never have this thought process with other people. I am generally open and loving when other people create things. Even simple stick figure drawings and a few items glued together get high praise from me for the person making the effort to be creative. Why am I not so understanding and loving when it comes to my self? This is the riddle I'm trying to unravel.

If you're like me in this regard, it's like we're staring hard at a blank canvas, trying to WILL a masterpiece to appear rather than just grabbing brushes and paint and having fun... We're putting so much pressure on ourselves to perform that we're not allowing the natural flow of creativity to happen.

I'm starting to notice that the more I stay off the internet, the more my creativity energizes. Seeing all the hateful/negative comments on YouTube and social media makes me horrified to create something of my own and share it. If the internet "trolls" only understood the depth of hurt that they create in the creative world. Not all of us are so callous and courageous. 

So, we have to create DESPITE the potential rude remarks. We have to make things because we want to, because we love them, because other people are likely to love them, too. We have to remember that if even just one personn is touched or inspired by what we create, it is enough. We have made a difference by lifting their spirit, even if it's only for a moment.

Years after uncaring or pedantic comments are made, the contributors will likely never remember them. Why should we? Why should we hang on to the hurtful remarks when their intentions are hollow? We have to forget about "what people might say" and focus on feeling good about using our personal talents to bring something special to the world.

If you simply can't seem to create, take time out to seek artists you appreciate and tell them. Praise them. Sow some good will and see if it inspires you. You might be the only person who gives them kind, thoughtful, useful feedback that inspires them to keep doing what they're doing.

Then, when you're ready, look at the things that inspire you and ask yourself what you love about them. Ask yourself what you want to create for the world. Then, pick up your paintbrush or pen or instrument or tool and experiment. Don't give yourself a solid objective (yet). Schedule some offline time. Just play. See what happens. :)