What to do when you feel "less than"
I think we all have feelings of inferiority when it comes to our quilting journey.
Crooked seams, points that are cut off, 1/4” seams that are more like 3/8”, waving borders, colors that aren’t that wonderful together. It happens.
Maybe the very best out there is always happy with his/her work. Hmph.
But most of us aren’t. Most of us see all the little wobbles and flaws and things we could do better or even more extreme think, “It’s awful”!
So…what we can we do when we get these debilitating feelings of inferiority?
These ideas are in reference to quilting/sewing/making projects.
When those feelings hit, think about these things:
Remember that when you see other people’s posted works - they are showing you their best whereas you know what you do - EVERYTHING - so you see both your good AND your bad. You know we all tend to focus on our mistakes. So, remember, you aren’t seeing the other person’s whole story. Let that comfort you. It’s true. Don’t forget it.
If you are an intelligent human being - and you must be or you wouldn’t be reading this - you can get better! Practice more, take a class, read a book - learn! Don’t let today’s status be next year’s.
Decide to learn from other people instead of comparing what you do with what they are doing. Ask them how they learned that particular thing and when you do that, ask specific questions such as, “How do you get your points so sharp?” instead of, “How do you quilt?”
Don’t make everything a competition. Let’s say that the other person’s skills are so far beyond yours that you will never get that good. Rejoice in his/her skills. They’ve given you some eye candy. Enjoy it. Go on.
It’s kind of a waste of your valuable emotional energy to make everything a competition.
And remember - YOU are good at, if not GREAT at something and it is very likely that it is something different than that other person. Maybe it is being a friend. Maybe it’s making cookies. Maybe it’s being sympathetic. Maybe you are a faithful prayer warrior. Maybe you can sew beautiful clothes, maybe you have a green thumb, maybe you are there for your family. Whatever it is - you can be sure that you have at least one gift/skill that you can do that is your own personal “superpower!”
So there you are. I believe we all have our own personal feelings of inferiority at times. Haven’t you been surprised when you see an interview and some superstar makes some statement like that they were scared, or think they are ugly or whatever? Yes, it happens. ‘Uber rich people on drugs or committing suicide? When they have seemingly everything? Just think about that when you get to feeling down.
“Comparison is the thief of joy” is commonly attributed to Teddy Roosevelt. It’s also mentioned in as a principle found in 2 Corinthians 10:12 in the Bible. There are reasons that comparing yourself to other people simply leaves you feeling either inadequate or opposite, perhaps falsely puffed up.
My advice for you - when you are dwelling on your own inadequacies - Just keep on moving forward. If you never get better - does it matter, really? (no!)
Create.
Enjoy.
Share.
Be generous!
I know if you do those things that this creative adventure we enjoy called quilting will enrich your life!
I’m off my soapbox now. (This may have been more to myself than anyone!)
Have a great day wherever you are reading this!
Be sure to check out what my sis has for you in the store!