do it yourself FREEDOM

Impacts: Mind, Health, Home

“I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.” – Vincent Van Gogh

The feeling of accomplishment is probably one of the most important pieces of increasing confidence and happiness. There is almost nothing like it. Taking a step back and admiring your own work might on the outside seem a little selfish but it can be one of the more rewarding feelings we can have.

For some people making something might be as abstract as a poem, or watching their child graduate from college. For others it could be literally building a piece of furniture, or growing a lush garden. It almost doesn’t matter if you’ve done it for yourself and it’s something you love doing.

When I was in high school I discovered pottery. In fact I became such a good potter I decided to try to make a living making pots in my twenties. The one thing I learned about myself is that the act of making things itself was the most important part. The physical finished object was only interesting to me for as long as it took for me to decide if it was good or not.

When I started making pots to sell a little bit of that good feeling died because I was making things I hoped other people would buy and I started to focus on only on it’s value to other people. Now in my forties, one of my personal goals is to have time enough again to make pots, but this time I want to do it completely for myself. I don’t want to have to rob myself of the feeling of accomplishment to support myself. I also personally think it’s worth the time spent wedging the clay, at the wheel, and tending the kiln, because it’s what I like to do. It makes me happy.

Making something for yourself is about giving yourself the permission to spend time doing something you like and that gives you the greatest feeling of accomplishment. Don’t put extra requirements on yourself like it has to be a work of art, or that other people have to like it. Just make it for yourself. After all it’s your feeling of accomplishment, not theirs.

Take Action

• Anyone can make stuff. Make something for yourselfwithout the intention of showing it to anyone else.
• Try making gifts instead of buying them.