I think there is a difference between the depth of one's commitment and the duration of that commitment.
If we jump from one thing to another this may not be a problem with the endurance of the commitment but to the seriousness of it in the first place.
Seriousness is something that can be examined now and we don't need time to tell us how truly committed we are.
posted by Raouf
over 2 years ago
Perhaps the jumping from one thing to another comes when we depend on our feelings to direct us. I really like books and reading, but when it comes down to learning about the rest of library science, I wouldn't want to put in all the effort it takes to be a librarian. (It's a career path that I thought of pursuing.)
So, how much do we follow our desires/feelings and how much do we rely on clinical evaluations of options to determine our future?
The examination of feelings and motivations must not be clinical but on the contrary be done with passion and zest and putting everything that is relevant on the table.
Feelings don't necessarily need to be justified but at least it would be good to flush out any ulterior motives (fear, laziness, anger ...) that may surround these feelings and understand if one's desires are distorted by these hidden agents.
My criterion is: if the flame is burning clean without other sources then it is a go.
(I did change direction multiple times in my life)
posted by Raouf
over 2 years ago
I guess I wasn't talking about examining one's feelings clinically. Feelings are what they are. The clinical examination is in whether this feeling is something you want to invest a lot of time and energy in. I know that bluspider has invested a lot of energy and resources in her beading. That probably started with a feeling -- "Ooh, I like that. I looks like fun." (excuse me for putting words in your mouth, blu.) I've had the same reaction to beadwork. But I've had to look at my resources (time, money, space) and determine whether I would be likely to carry the projects out, complete them and then what would I do with them. So, for the time being, I'm not beading. It's something I admire and appreciate, then move on.
Unfinished projects have taught me to be more selective. (but I still can't throw them away. ha ha)
I did beadwork for a long time, and sold much of it (still have much of it, too!) It started as a passion for the colored glass which I've always had, and my curiosity to learn new ways of putting the beads together was my primary reason for doing it. The selling came along a little later ... though I had often thought it would be great to create things to sell at craft fairs, I stumbled through a lot of different things before I came upon one that really kept my interest going strong. Once the interest wanes, and you become interested in other things, though ... you do have a lot of supplies sitting around, unless you get motivated to pass them along to others.
Y'know, in some alternative dimension, I think I might be a carnival worker or maybe work at craft fairs and such. I find that lifestyle attractive -- moving from one town to the next, meeting new people all the time. Of course, I've only seen it from the outside. I'm sure reality would be different.
There's prudent evaluation, and then there's overthinking. Don't confuse the two.
