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10 Great Ways to Sabotage Yourself

May 30, 2014 by SewMaris 9 Comments

I.Love.This. Originally written several years ago by Keri Smith, I think it is a great list of ways we sabotage ourselves as sewing-artists.

How to Feel Miserable as an Artist

1. Constantly compare yourself to other artists.

2. Talk to your family about what you do and expect them to cheer you on.

3. Base the success of your entire career on one project.

4. Stick with what you know.

5. Undervalue your expertise.

6. Let money dictate what you do.

7. Bow to societal pressures.

8. Only do work that your family would love.

9. Do whatever the client/customer/gallery owner/patron/investor/ asks.

10. Set unachievable/overwhelming goals. To be accomplished by tomorrow.

At times, I have done each item on this list. How about you? Any resonate with you? Are you still struggling with any or all of these behaviors?

Happy sewing (and creating!)

Maris

Filed Under: inspiration

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beata

    May 30, 2014 at 8:14 am

    This is great! And so confronted … I have to print it out and hang in my atelier!

    Reply
    • Maris Olsen (@sewmaris)

      May 30, 2014 at 9:02 am

      Good idea! We ALL confront these issues and need reminders they do not define us or our work.

      Reply
  2. Latina

    May 30, 2014 at 1:13 pm

    The first one is my problem. And number four. I’m trying to branch out more and my first thing was to get my blog going by actually participating in the online sewing community. It is going well so far so I may try other things as well.

    Reply
    • Maris Olsen (@sewmaris)

      May 30, 2014 at 2:43 pm

      Thanks for commenting Latina! Keep on trying new things, and see what works. You will find your way.

      Best wishes!

      Maris

      Reply
  3. lisa g

    May 30, 2014 at 2:49 pm

    these are so true! every time i have a wavy line of topstitching or have trouble with a fabric i begin to question my entire existence… so dumb! i have a mountain of work i am proud of, and small failures are just part of the journey. great post!

    Reply
  4. Maris Olsen (@sewmaris)

    May 30, 2014 at 3:18 pm

    Good point about those small failures, Lisa. I made a dress last night that I fought the fabric the whole way. Almost ALL of the topstitching looks poopie, but luckily the busy print hides it. Hehehe! I know it is far from my best work, but I can still wear and enjoy the dress. And I will definitely make it again in a friendlier fabric! Keep on sewing! Hugs to you!

    Maris

    Reply
  5. Annette

    May 31, 2014 at 2:46 pm

    This is a great reminder to ourselves. I don’t think of myself as a free-spirit, but when I have projects that I just let go and do whatever I want without caring about what anyone thinks–I am amazed at the results. And, so are others.

    Reply
  6. Velosewer

    June 1, 2014 at 9:57 pm

    It feels very good when you can strip these behaviours and thinking away.

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      June 1, 2014 at 10:05 pm

      Amen, Maria!!

      Reply

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