I’m a dreamer. An idea-maker. A plan-outliner. A talk-it-out-er. When something new comes to mind I instantly feel like I can conquer all of my ideas with the snap of two fingers. It feels so easy. And then, I get myself all set up and ready to begin, only then to do what I do best: sit on an idea because of fear.
It’s such a small word, but it’s also so debilitating sometimes.
Fear has held me back from starting many things, or starting “on time”, because I’m afraid of what will happen once I begin. And most of the time what happens is fun or exciting or rewarding or a necessity to life, but it’s like I’ve psyched myself up too much and in the process end up talking myself out of it.
Do you ever have that problem with fear?
Sometime write me and tell me I’m not alone.
I’ve been wanting to make Maxwell something to snuggle with at night since the day he was born.
At first I thought it would be too hard. Oh, hello fear. There you are.
Then I thought it would be too expensive, but that’s not true if you plan ahead ;)
And then I thought making a template and cutting the fabric, simply getting to work, would take way too long — hours, even. And I don’t have hours to give right now! No way! (Laughs aloud.)
More realistically, I have 20-minute increments, just like every other woman who has her hands full with blessings.
But what I’m realizing is all of the good things in life take hours.
And once you add up all the 20-minute increments, do you know what you are left with? You are left with a heaping pile of hours that overflow from your hands. You have so much goodness and love and memories invested from the time put into “all the good things”, that your life truly overflows.
Good things take hours made possible through minute increments.
And you know what? I want that. I want an overflowing life. No — re-write: I have an overflowing life. And so do you. So just get to work. Don’t think about the what-ifs and the fears and the challenges that starting something new will bring you.
Just give it 20 minutes, and wait for the goodness to overflow. I’ll see you there.
ohh Maggie! This is exactly where I am right now. Ideas are brainstormed supplies are bought but I just haven’t pulled the trigger and dug in! Thanks for the pep talk! :)
Today is your day!
Twenty minutes is time for so much goodness to take place. You nailed this one! Keep it up sweet lady!
I saw that construction equipment fabric in a store and wrote down the name for future reference. So cute! For me I think it is less about the fear of starting a project and more about the allotted time I have to work. I have a hard time working in just 20 minute increments. I always just think it’s not enough time to really make any progress so I shy away from starting a project when I have such a short time. It is a little easier once I have a project already going. I’m trying to push myself to just get something done with those short time spans anyway.
I totally get that! Sometimes though I start and once 20 minutes in I find I’m able to keep going… So that is encouraging :) maybe you’ll discover that, too.
I feel like this post is EVERYTHING i am feeling lately. That there are so many things that i want to do but i think too much about it. I think there are too many things i need to do first! But really its just my fear thinking that i need to do something else.
bingo! :)
I totally agree with this. I have some huge tasks going on, and a few months ago I started putting things in my planner/to do list in 30 minute increments. It has helped so much and at the end of the week I love looking back and seeing all of the 30 minute increments crossed off. It feels so much more manageable.
OH I love that idea, and I can only imagine it is super rewarding to cross things off. Love it! :)
For real. 20 minutes is about right ha! When I made my sons quilt I pumped that bad boy out in 4 days. When I made baby #2’s quilt. Yep. Basically did 20 minutes here, 20 there. Hard because I would rather not sleep and finish something then go to bed with a partially done project. Also is it just me or do you just have to “make that first cut”? I don’t know. I will let something sit forever because I don’t think I have time and then I just…make that first cut. Suddenly the project comes alive and I MAKE time to finish it. :)
I think that’s totally it! Some times it’s so hard to cut into a piece of fabric because it’s just so gorgeous. I’m not even going to get into the “what ifs” with that ;D I loved your comment, thank you so much for taking a minute to share your perspective!
I have so many projects that I haven’t finished. I dream, and plan, and then worry about messing it up (especially sewing projects). I am currently working on a painting to fill the empty space above our fireplace. I don’t feel as comfortable with landscapes as I do portraits but I made a deadline and I am pushing through. It is partially scary but also exciting. I love to paint and I get to make something special and meaningful for our home. :)
I wish I could paint well, it looks relaxing (and I love it as a medium). So glad you commented :)
You are SO not alone on the fear thing. I just journaled two pages yesterday about fear and what’s holding me back. I named my two biggest roadblocks and then wrote out truth to conquer each one. Now it’s time to get moving in the direction of my dreams.. even if just 20 minutes at a time. =) Thank you for this. xo
Maggie, if you can sew all those beautiful pouches, clutches, and purses, you can sew a quilt…I promise! I am a quilter, and only wished I lived closer (or that you still lived in MN), and I would share some tips and tricks (and all my quilting gear)! I, on the other hand, am completely afraid to sew in a zipper. We could help each other out :)
This is so true for me!! I have so many ideas and am inspired by so many things, but even if I know it would be simple, I totally psych myself out from fear!!
This is so me with sewing projects! Knitting I can sit down and work a few rows at a time and make great project, but sewing … right now it’s curtains for Baby #2’s room. I have to attach the ribbon sections to the back to make the loops for the rod, and then hang and pin them up at the right length so I can do the bottom hem… but the’ve been sitting in my room for two weeks. I’m not 100% confident that I won’t mess something up so it’s easier to just let it be. But with only 6 weeks till the due date, I know how happy it will make me to have this project done. Nesting instincts are a great motivator. :)
Yes! Truly great advice. So good for my heart!