Too many ideas = sensory overload, any advice?

I'm awaiting assessment but I trained, and briefly worked in film and theatre costume many years ago. Couldn't keep up (now I'm beginning to understand why). If your like me, there was a huge amount of stuff involved with working in that kind of field, As an example, I still have five sewing machines, my sewing box was a dirty great toolbox rather than a dainty floral number and I have a button box that's a lot larger and more outrageous than what you'd find in most homes.

Over the years, I've been clearing out a lot of things in an attempt to get some order. Just a little at a time. What I found, was that there were some things that I was far more interested in than others. I began to group things, for example, I'd like to remake my clothes in my wardrobe, but I'm interested in using natural fibres. So I'm clearing out my synthetic fabrics. I'd like to use more traditional patterns as I like the older Victorian and Edwardian styles, so there goes a whole load of modern patterns that I don't need anymore. I'm following the same system with other hobbies. It also allows me to see which hobbies are most interesting to me so again, I can clear away the things that distract me and just stick to the things I know I enjoy.

My hobbies that I'm choosing to focus on are: Sewing, miniatures, reading, writing, and my Cello.(I'd also love to have a farm, create puppets, build a hobbit hole to live in and learn everything there is to know about the natural world, etc, etc. but that might have to wait for another day). I don't have to do all of these at once, I'm just trying to choose something each evening. Even if it's just to play with some clay and learn how to make shapes. I'm not forcing myself to create a masterpiece, I'm just enjoying the process. I haven't done any sewing for years so even though I have a complex project to work on, I'm only trying to do some basics. I've started with underwear which is always the most important foundation. I can re-learn all the techniques that I lost over the years so that when I get to the outerwear, I'll have a clearer idea of what I want and I'll even have some experience again to help push me along. 

I think what I'm trying to get at, is what are the distractions? You can work on several things at once, it's something you couldn't avoid in Theatre. But there are some things that get in your way. Don't box yourself into a corner. A bit of structure is helpful but don't time yourself or you'll always be looking at the clock which will be another distraction. Media is also a distraction. I don't watch TV and I try to avoid too much internet and phones. I've been dealing with PTSD and severe Anxiety so I've virtually had to start from scratch. Just picking a task each evening when I get home from work is giving me clarity as I'm beginning to see the way I want to go and more importantly, how I'm going to get there.

Out of a matter of interest, being (or having been) a costume designer what is it that you like so much in the Victorian period style?

When I was studying, I specialised in corsetry. Not the nonsense that you get in the stores now, proper supportive corsets. I love the structure of period garments. I also love the 1880's bustle and the lovely clean, simple style that you get with Edwardian. I can't stand the throw away society that exists nowadays. 

I too was always meticulous on detail and that would invariably mean that I never quite managed to finish the 'bigger picture' to a satisfactory conclusion. If anything I always needed a bit more time, which is never going to happen when you have the first night looming.

Sorry, not always quick at getting back to the computer. Usually have to wait until I'm at work these days, and you certainly haven't bored me!

I was fortunate that my uni got a lot of the corsetry supplies at a discounted rate so we always had a good supply. Spatterdashes, now that is a good word to have in your arsenal! I somehow managed to side step the 20s in all of my studies. In terms of history, it was fascinating. In terms of fashion however, I was always more interested with the structure and never really got on with the decoration, so much so that I could never finish my costumes because I would focus all my attention on the pattern drafting and never managed to finish to a suitable level. It's where I always lost marks and I could never understand why I found it so difficult. It also kind of disappointed me that a piece of loose fabric was being hung from the shoulders. They also only really seemed to work on a particular body shape which always annoyed me. It seemed to be that turning point in history where fashion became dependant on the type of body shape you had rather than how you made the fashion work for you. 

Corsetry, now that really is an art. I remember the costume students buying up our local art shops supplies of hardwearing but slightly flexible rulers for their first term project in corsetry, they couldn't afford anything else! I can understand the structure of period garments. As a whole design and lifestyle era I like the 1920's. I think like the Restoration of Charles the II to the throne and the rather flamboyancy of the time (after years of oppression) is mirrored in the 20's period. I like the lines, designs, lifestyle and music of that era and have always liked having an excuse to use the word 'spatterdashes'. The buy it, use it, throw it away society we have now is just wrong in so many ways. Sorry I hope I haven't bored you!

Corsetry, now that really is an art. I remember the costume students buying up our local art shops supplies of hardwearing but slightly flexible rulers for their first term project in corsetry, they couldn't afford anything else! I can understand the structure of period garments. As a whole design and lifestyle era I like the 1920's. I think like the Restoration of Charles the II to the throne and the rather flamboyancy of the time (after years of oppression) is mirrored in the 20's period. I like the lines, designs, lifestyle and music of that era and have always liked having an excuse to use the word 'spatterdashes'. The buy it, use it, throw it away society we have now is just wrong in so many ways. Sorry I hope I haven't bored you!

I too was always meticulous on detail and that would invariably mean that I never quite managed to finish the 'bigger picture' to a satisfactory conclusion. If anything I always needed a bit more time, which is never going to happen when you have the first night looming.

Sorry, not always quick at getting back to the computer. Usually have to wait until I'm at work these days, and you certainly haven't bored me!

I was fortunate that my uni got a lot of the corsetry supplies at a discounted rate so we always had a good supply. Spatterdashes, now that is a good word to have in your arsenal! I somehow managed to side step the 20s in all of my studies. In terms of history, it was fascinating. In terms of fashion however, I was always more interested with the structure and never really got on with the decoration, so much so that I could never finish my costumes because I would focus all my attention on the pattern drafting and never managed to finish to a suitable level. It's where I always lost marks and I could never understand why I found it so difficult. It also kind of disappointed me that a piece of loose fabric was being hung from the shoulders. They also only really seemed to work on a particular body shape which always annoyed me. It seemed to be that turning point in history where fashion became dependant on the type of body shape you had rather than how you made the fashion work for you.