on motivation

I had an interesting conversation yesterday with a landscape painter. On discussing his projects, he said that he often needed a deadline to pick up that paintbrush and get painting. Often we like to think of anything involving creativity being a kind of organic process, not something relying on deadlines or something that we need to force ourselves to do. Our creations may not have the scope of an oil painting. It might be a dishcloth we are knitting, a dress we are sewing or a garden bed we are creating. But is there really a "right" moment to start a creative project?

I've often thought of this blog as a little creative outlet. It may not be a fancy one, with its homemade header and sometimes blurry photos. My computer skills may be limited, but it is like having my own little corner of the internet. Surprisingly, many of you do come back often to visit. Your comments are a little ray of sunshine in my day for which I am very grateful. I don't doubt that at many times your comments have given me the motivation to try new projects, and also to finish them.

To be honest, some days I don't really feel like writing. Or knitting. Or sewing. Or even reading. There are times when all I feel like doing is a little mindless Pinterest searching. But I do know that tomorrow I probably will feel like it. The mind can be a fickle thing. So sometimes I push myself to start that new knitting project. Or write that blog post. Because I know the enthusiasm will return, sometimes within minutes of starting. At times it may seem like we are doing it for others, but I know the sense of satisfaction that comes from within when I've made something myself. I believe it is something we owe to ourselves. To do something creatively every day. Even if it's only ten minutes.


So thank you, readers, for sometimes being that kick in the pants I need to motivate myself.