Now if that sounds like the ultimate contradiction, you’re right.
But, it makes perfect sense – and it often works for me.
When you know you’ve just got to do something, I believe you dig deeper and are more willing to make mistakes to move forward.
Let me explain.
This ‘stop to get started’ paradox is one I use from time to time, but I often forget just how effective it can be.
Really, it’s about shutting off that visual overload of images, books, and screens, relying on whatever information you’ve already captured, and allowing your own unique style to just take over and ‘do’.
And ‘doing’ is the secret – it’s the golden key, the winning ticket, and the best way forward when you feel stuck.
It’s not about what’s right and wrong at this stage – it’s about getting ideas down on paper, or, simply stitching.
It’s that act of ‘doing’ – it deconstructs roadblocks and chasms of indecision.
It encourages the mind to relax because sometimes overthinking is our own worst enemy.
I’m currently working towards a body of work for exhibition early next year. I want it to be beautiful, colourful and to examine texture and dimension using decorative embroidery.
So, I’m often looking at images, videos, and books to help inspire new ideas.
But therein lies the problem – how much time do I waste doing that? And does it take over?
The answers are a lot and yes.
Sometimes I catch myself and try to imagine that book closing.
That’s my cue to just ‘do’.
Sometimes I draw, but often I find with hand embroidery, it’s best to just pick up a needle, and thread and begin to explore options.
And by simply ‘doing’, I’ve created two new pieces of stitching that use traditional stitches creatively, that replicate the theme I’m working on, giving a sense of both texture and dimension.
Imagining that book closing when I know I’m wasting time and procrastinating just a little or just a lot, offers me that wake-up call I need to push myself to simply ‘do’.
So I do something, anything, and try out new ideas or materials.
And that usually leads me somewhere bountiful.
Perhaps it will lead you to the same place.
