Being Creative: Thinking and Confidence

I  noticed in my last post I'd written that I was still 'too scared to stock my on-line shop'. I'm making up samples for a new class and it got me thinking about the fact  prospective students are often anxious about coming to class, because they are worried about 'not being good enough'. What do you think about this? I've always struggled with negative thoughts about my creativity, and  recently, made some discoveries.

Having lots of different skills is useful, but I used to think every new project I produced should be equal to an expert specialising in their particular skill.  Although things usually turned out reasonably, I felt a failure, 'not good enough'. I thought I must design and make detailed, time consuming projects to a high standard, or nothing I created would ever be good enough to show the world; but why was this? As a child I'd draw and stitch showing my creations without any thought of  perfection,  just happy in the joy in making.

So what changed? At age 9, we moved and my first report at the new school (from nice teacher I liked) contained the words 'not good at craft or games'. The craft project, in this case, was making a space station out of washing up bottles - a la Blue Peter! I dreaded it, as did most of the girls in my class!

Dear old John Noakes doing something in the 1960's with Fairy Liquid and a cardboard box - again. Loved BP except the 'makes'!

The new school didn't do any sewing and the teacher had never seen anything I had made. The damage, however, was done. Someone in authority had written down that I was 'not good at craft'. It must be true!
So, I stopped doing anything creative, and was unhappy. It wasn't till years later I finally tried creating again, although I was still afraid to show anything I'd made.  It took  a lot of hard work to overcome my negative thoughts. One of the reasons for starting a creative blog was to help me get over my reticence.  I knew I had to finally change how I thought. Once I took the first steps to share my creativity, I discovered kind friends who encouraged and supported me, helping me to gain confidence. Eventually by changing the way I thought, and having support and encouragement from friends and family, I began to change my life, doing things like writing patterns and instructions, and teaching classes. Learning to think  'I can do that, and I can do it in my own unique way',  opened up so many possibilities.

Sharing knowledge and showing people that they can be creative is an amazingly powerful thing. thing. Socrates has a great quote “I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think”.
That's pretty much how I feel about running a class. Now, sharing creative knowledge helps me to feel  positive about my skills, and share other's delight at achieving things they've never done before.We learn so much from each other and have fun too! Taking those first steps in a supportive environment and seeing what can be accomplished is an amazing confidence builder.  No matter how experienced you are, you can always learn something new - and doesn't it feel great!

I thought I couldn't make clothing, but I was so proud I made a simple toddler's pinafore for Emily!

If any of these points resonate with you, or if you have any suggestions about overcoming negative thoughts, I'd love to hear.

Finally, 'cos we always love a cute doggie pic, here's the wonderful Shep, greatest BP pet ever, and a wish for a very Happy Mother's Day! x