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Maybe one day

Sporadic Sparkly

Toward the latter part of 2021, I treated myself to a festive LED diamond painting (crystal art) kit; a picture measuring 40cm x 50cm. At the time, I had been feeling depressed and thought that once I'd got Christmas out of the way and got started on it, it would help to boost my spirits.

Well, I got as far as doing the Christmas tree, and the top half of the chair on the left (see picture below). However, I then discovered the NAS Community and got... er... distracted. Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and my picture was no nearer to being finished. My plan to have the picture completed in time for Christmas 2022 went flying through the window. Furthermore, I'd gone full circle and was back to feeling depressed.

Christmas 2023 is rapidly approaching, and I now find myself wondering if the picture will still be waiting for me to finish it by Christmas 2024, or if it will FINALLY be hanging on one of the walls in my home. During the past year, I feel that if it hasn't been my mental health and emotions throwing a spanner in the works, then it's been my physical health. Pensive

The image below is what my diamond painting will look like... if I ever finish it.

Parents

  • Hi, I don’t know what the answer is, all I can think of is to sit down with a cup of coffee and try to re-engage with it. I find similarly that I can get fully immersed in a project, it will be all I think of. All of a sudden it’s like a switch has been turned off and I won’t return to it for months or even years. I find the summer months much easier to be productive, in the winter months I can just stare at things, it’s almost like there’s a wall building in front of me. I’ve mentioned autistic inertia before, it’s like that, staring at something but can’t make the first movement.

  • in reply to Roy

    Sitting down with a cup of coffee is something I can manage without any difficulty whatsoever, Roy. It's the rest of it that I'm struggling with. Laughing

    What you have described sounds similar to how I used to be with my creative hobbies. In my case though, I would usually finish the project I was working on, before immersing myself in one of my other hobbies and wanting to spend all my free time devoted to it.

  • in reply to Sporadic Sparkly

    I think the thing to remember is that a project is not supposed to be a punishment. I would leave the artwork set out on a table and just see if it draws you in. I started working in my workshop with just daylight to try and save money, I got even more detached from the tasks. I find when the building is well lit, it is like it stimulates my mind.

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  • in reply to Sporadic Sparkly

    I think the thing to remember is that a project is not supposed to be a punishment. I would leave the artwork set out on a table and just see if it draws you in. I started working in my workshop with just daylight to try and save money, I got even more detached from the tasks. I find when the building is well lit, it is like it stimulates my mind.

Children
  • in reply to Roy

    I completely agree. Hobbies are meant to be enjoyable, and if one isn't 'feeling' the benefits, then best to put it on pause until it has the desired effect.

    There is absolutely no way I could work on my creative hobbies without good lighting, so same as you when you're working away in your workshop. Besides, if the lighting isn't adequate, I find there is more chance of me suffering from a headache or migraine as a result of eye strain.