I remain in awe of you for doing the marathon, I was just talking about this with my daughter who's getting into running. An inspiration! Re. making art and all the "stuff" - it’s exactly as you describe, it's the 'stuff' in our heads, too! It’s all clutter: real, metaphorical, imaginary…stuff that gets in the way of us getting on and being ourselves. I firmly believe we're all 'creators', even those who don’t make a tangible anything or don’t think they can. We’re just at different points on the journey. Some people may never start, still tying their shoelaces…(that’s me, endless faff with sock combinations…) And when we do venture forth, there's nothing wrong with pausing for breath (or life to happen) every now and then. Who cares? Who's keeping a record of our production? You’re an artist!
As with everything it’s always about small steps at a time. Yes the stuff in our heads is just as cluttering as the physical stuff and you for one are definitely not still tying your shoelaces! So you can tell that thought to go away… because you are also absolutely an artist!
You are definitely an artist. I have a sketch of yours proudly displayed in my sewing room from when you did 100 portraits.
My daughter is always reminding me not to let perfect get in the way of good. Being a perfectionist can at times be crippling, just ask anyone who has done any decorating for me! I'm trying to let-go and just make things for fun, and not spend hours pondering over colours etc. Do I like it? Then that's enough!
Thank you Bronwyn. I can picture that very drawing… I remember doing them all it was such a fun project. Perfectionism is a whole other thing that gets in our way and I can totally relate to that. All we can do is our best!
I am sorry I am late to this, but I am so glad I hound it! Firstly, how brilliant to have run the marathon- twice! Isn't it strange though how art in particular throws up those self limiting beliefs? So much of what you wrote resonated. Because I currently can't consistently paint or draw, the impact psychologically is huge - the doubt creeps in very quickly. Do you know the YouTube channel of @sandihester? She is full of enthusiasm and in a podcast she spoke of letting go of perfectionism. It is well worth a listen. Of course you are an artist! I am so glad you're getting going again.
Thank you Deborah! It’s somewhat reassuring to know what I have written resonates with you and that we all suffer these limiting beliefs and insecurities. Because of course you are also an artist without any doubt. Someone emailed me to ask why I needed to give myself a label but I think it’s something to do with our self identity and it doesn’t take much to shake that.
I think to assert yourself as an artist does matter, it is an important way to have confidence in your own ability and we need as much of that as we can get!
I was thinking of you yesterday and back to our first London in 1988 after getting to watch the Marathon for the first time in 15 years yesterday (the date has always coincided with some other event i was helping to run but not this year). I do feel inspired to enter the ballot for what would be my third entry, OK so having Myasthenia, I haven't run anywhere for at least 10 years, and also that i'll be 65 by then, which is over twice the age I was when last ran it; what could possibly go wrong? I've got until Friday to make my mind up!
And If I can get to still call myself a runner, then you are most definitely an Artist :o)
Every year at the marathon I get a feeling of wishing I could do it again although I’m not sure I would want to do the training again! I would be quite happy if I could manage a park run but my knees complain if I go more than a mile! Only advice I have is listen to your body and stop if it hurts!
of course you are an artist, we all are, in our own unique ways. We just get in our own ways, because we have been made to believe we are less than because of the adults in our young lives, most of them well meaning but limited, because of the adults in their young lives. Somewhere along our paths we may jhave to decide who or what we want to be, we just have to take the decision to get over ourselves and just to what we want to do.I my mid 60’s I went trekking to Mount Everest base camp, the trip from hell, I whined all the way , but giving up was not an option, as my daughter told me as I sat on the ground refusing to continue.And so it is in all of life I believe giving up is not an option. 💖👍
Your 'just one lamppost' really hit home!. A series of colds etc this winter has left me really out of shape. I know I need to exercise. Right after reading your article this morning I went and skipped in the garden. I didn't manage much. This afternoon I did it again - and for just a bit longer. I have promised myself to do a little everyday....
Janet, did you happen to hear listen yesterday’s broadcast of the late Dr Michael Moseley talking about the benefits of skipping? I did, and I immediately ordered a skipping rope which arrived today! I’m going to give it a go tomorrow!
Aren’t we a funny lot? Of course you’re an artist! And a very versatile and talented one too.
It is only now, having reached my sixties, that I have come to understand a big limiting belief of mine was that everything had to be perfect. I believe it was something to do with covering all the bases in order to avoid doing or saying the wrong thing, which in turn would mean I would get into trouble.
Thankfully, now I understand this, it’s allowed me to be much freer and also kinder to myself. Good is often enough. Most things don’t need to be perfect. They just need to be finished to a reasonable standard. You can always choose to do it a different way next time.
I now laugh a lot when I do something silly or things don’t go right. It’s very liberating.
First of all, thank you for the kind comment and secondly yes I can totally identify with wanting everything to be perfect which of course it rarely is! One of the great benefits of getting older is letting go of such limiting beliefs
I remain in awe of you for doing the marathon, I was just talking about this with my daughter who's getting into running. An inspiration! Re. making art and all the "stuff" - it’s exactly as you describe, it's the 'stuff' in our heads, too! It’s all clutter: real, metaphorical, imaginary…stuff that gets in the way of us getting on and being ourselves. I firmly believe we're all 'creators', even those who don’t make a tangible anything or don’t think they can. We’re just at different points on the journey. Some people may never start, still tying their shoelaces…(that’s me, endless faff with sock combinations…) And when we do venture forth, there's nothing wrong with pausing for breath (or life to happen) every now and then. Who cares? Who's keeping a record of our production? You’re an artist!
As with everything it’s always about small steps at a time. Yes the stuff in our heads is just as cluttering as the physical stuff and you for one are definitely not still tying your shoelaces! So you can tell that thought to go away… because you are also absolutely an artist!
☺️
You are definitely an artist. I have a sketch of yours proudly displayed in my sewing room from when you did 100 portraits.
My daughter is always reminding me not to let perfect get in the way of good. Being a perfectionist can at times be crippling, just ask anyone who has done any decorating for me! I'm trying to let-go and just make things for fun, and not spend hours pondering over colours etc. Do I like it? Then that's enough!
Thank you Bronwyn. I can picture that very drawing… I remember doing them all it was such a fun project. Perfectionism is a whole other thing that gets in our way and I can totally relate to that. All we can do is our best!
You are most definitely an artist Gina! End of.
Thank you! As are you too!
A very inspiring read. Thank you
My pleasure Rhian. Thanks for reading and taking time to comment x
I am sorry I am late to this, but I am so glad I hound it! Firstly, how brilliant to have run the marathon- twice! Isn't it strange though how art in particular throws up those self limiting beliefs? So much of what you wrote resonated. Because I currently can't consistently paint or draw, the impact psychologically is huge - the doubt creeps in very quickly. Do you know the YouTube channel of @sandihester? She is full of enthusiasm and in a podcast she spoke of letting go of perfectionism. It is well worth a listen. Of course you are an artist! I am so glad you're getting going again.
Thank you Deborah! It’s somewhat reassuring to know what I have written resonates with you and that we all suffer these limiting beliefs and insecurities. Because of course you are also an artist without any doubt. Someone emailed me to ask why I needed to give myself a label but I think it’s something to do with our self identity and it doesn’t take much to shake that.
I think to assert yourself as an artist does matter, it is an important way to have confidence in your own ability and we need as much of that as we can get!
Absolutely! I couldn’t agree more.
I was thinking of you yesterday and back to our first London in 1988 after getting to watch the Marathon for the first time in 15 years yesterday (the date has always coincided with some other event i was helping to run but not this year). I do feel inspired to enter the ballot for what would be my third entry, OK so having Myasthenia, I haven't run anywhere for at least 10 years, and also that i'll be 65 by then, which is over twice the age I was when last ran it; what could possibly go wrong? I've got until Friday to make my mind up!
And If I can get to still call myself a runner, then you are most definitely an Artist :o)
Every year at the marathon I get a feeling of wishing I could do it again although I’m not sure I would want to do the training again! I would be quite happy if I could manage a park run but my knees complain if I go more than a mile! Only advice I have is listen to your body and stop if it hurts!
of course you are an artist, we all are, in our own unique ways. We just get in our own ways, because we have been made to believe we are less than because of the adults in our young lives, most of them well meaning but limited, because of the adults in their young lives. Somewhere along our paths we may jhave to decide who or what we want to be, we just have to take the decision to get over ourselves and just to what we want to do.I my mid 60’s I went trekking to Mount Everest base camp, the trip from hell, I whined all the way , but giving up was not an option, as my daughter told me as I sat on the ground refusing to continue.And so it is in all of life I believe giving up is not an option. 💖👍
A great benefit of getting older is letting go of a lot of these beliefs and hang ups from our youth. Doing our best is all we can do!
Your 'just one lamppost' really hit home!. A series of colds etc this winter has left me really out of shape. I know I need to exercise. Right after reading your article this morning I went and skipped in the garden. I didn't manage much. This afternoon I did it again - and for just a bit longer. I have promised myself to do a little everyday....
Janet, did you happen to hear listen yesterday’s broadcast of the late Dr Michael Moseley talking about the benefits of skipping? I did, and I immediately ordered a skipping rope which arrived today! I’m going to give it a go tomorrow!
One step at a time…
Yep, you're an artist.
Thank you x
Aren’t we a funny lot? Of course you’re an artist! And a very versatile and talented one too.
It is only now, having reached my sixties, that I have come to understand a big limiting belief of mine was that everything had to be perfect. I believe it was something to do with covering all the bases in order to avoid doing or saying the wrong thing, which in turn would mean I would get into trouble.
Thankfully, now I understand this, it’s allowed me to be much freer and also kinder to myself. Good is often enough. Most things don’t need to be perfect. They just need to be finished to a reasonable standard. You can always choose to do it a different way next time.
I now laugh a lot when I do something silly or things don’t go right. It’s very liberating.
First of all, thank you for the kind comment and secondly yes I can totally identify with wanting everything to be perfect which of course it rarely is! One of the great benefits of getting older is letting go of such limiting beliefs