Enjoy the Journey (Banishing Old Man Undermine)

^Hello, my dear friends!

Last August a bloggie friend of mine named Jenny wrote a short paragraph on her blog Pushing the Right Buttons that really resonated with me, and with a lot of her other friends. I asked her at the time if I could have a conversation with you about it and share her post and her words. Jenny generously said yes and encouraged me to share her thoughts with you:

August 6, 2014 ... A short story to explain where it all started - do you ever get those days where you wonder if what you're doing is any good? I think it's because we put so much of ourselves into everything we create that it matters so much what others think. Or do you get those tiny pangs of jealousy, wondering why other people seems to be getting recognition whilst you feel a bit ignored? Go on, admit it, I'm sure we've all felt that at some point. Don't get me wrong; right now I feel anything but ignored but the trouble is, when these thoughts do come they can be very self-destructive. I figured it would be a good idea to have something I can reach for that would remind me about those times when I've got a great reaction to something; it's a bit like having those 'credits' or 'challenge win badges' we have on our blog sidebars/pages but in a physical form.

And here is the tangible physcial form that Jenny created:

It's an amazing album of Jenny's creative journey, made just for herself, a book of love that she can refer to during those times when her self-image needs a boost. You really need to click on the above link and read her full post and see all the other detailed photos of this breathable and breathtaking album that can grow with Jenny through the years. Thank you, Jenny, for sharing and for starting the conversation!

~~~

Isn't that a wonderful idea for keeping feelings of self-doubt and negativity at bay?! I call those feelings, "Old Man Undermine." He is insidious. Always lurking nearby, ready to pounce. Always close enough to whisper in your ear:

"Sure, 11 people commented that your project was amazing, but why didn't you hear from Mary Gayle or Elise? Hmm?"

"I know you sold all of your birthday cards at the craft fair, and the director made a special point of telling you how fabulous your booth looked, but why didn't anyone buy a single Christmas card or decoration? Hmm?"

"Yeah, you got two awards during July, but what August and September? And what about that Great Challenge? Why do you keep entering that challenge when you've never even received an honorable mention and they obviously don't like you? Hmm?"

Right? I wonder sometimes if the self-sabotaging voice of Old Man Undermine is in our heads to keep us from becoming arrogant and obnoxious, but even so, there must be some way to find a happy medium between conceit and self-flatulation (pardon me). I think that Jenny has hit on a creative and personal way for us to help ourselves find that middle ground to where we consistently feel good about ourselves and our works of art and can consistently banish Old Man Undermine!

Whether you create a scrapbook or album, or a simple hand-written notebook, or a digital document, or a Pinterest board, or a tab on your blog, I hope you will give yourself permission to make a record of some of the compliments and proud moments you've enjoyed. Jenny's point is well-taken, with me, regarding having something to hold and behold, but if the computer can do the same thing for you, that's great, too. The point is to have something to go back to again and again in order to silence Old Man Undermine every time he comes to call with his pessimism and his determination to derail you from enjoying the journey.

Enjoy the Journey

I made the above card to keep on my desk to remind me that this is all for fun and friendship and how very blessed I am to be accomplishing those two things, thanks to all of you! Sadly, I know too many hobby bloggers who stopped enjoying the journey and gave up blogging because of little or no positive feedback. As Jenny said, we put so much of ourselves into our creations, it's tough when we feel that our creative works are not being seen or valued.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on enjoying and maintaining a positive approach to the journey of blogging your creations and your ideas for banishing Old Man Undermine.

~~~

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy.  LITS!* 

As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment and/or join as a follower! Please let me know you came by, so I can be sure and return the flavor!

  

 

*Life Is Too Short!

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