Years ago, I used to write “Ask Miss Mustard Seed” posts. I would open up the comment section for questions from my blog readers and would then write posts answering those questions. We’d talk about decorating, DIY, furniture refinishing, upholstery, creativity, and running a business. I realized the other day that I miss those posts. I always appreciate curiosity and inquisitiveness, so I want to encourage that more often and write blog posts in response to what you’d like to know.
I’m not setting up this Q and A because I have all of the answers. Sometimes, the answer might be, I don’t know. Most often, I will merely make an attempt to answer a question based on my own experience, hoping it might offer some encouragement and inspiration to others. The point of asking questions isn’t always to get a definitive, final, and “right” answer. Most of the time, people already know the answer, but they need someone to hear the question, give it validity, and say the answer out loud. In many cases, the answer isn’t even the goal. The question is more about stirring up more questions. Kicking up some dust and never really letting it settle again.
So, what would you like to know? What do you wish I would write more about? What do you want to ask? You can type it in the comments section or send me an e-mail (marian@missmustardseed.com).
I’ll start with a question I received from Instagram…
“I have trouble finding inspiration. I haven’t picked up a paint brush in over 20 years. Partly because as a young mother, I didn’t have time, partly because I don’t know if I can still do it, and I am afraid of failing. And partly because I struggle to find inspiration. I have never felt “good enough“. But I see others painting and sharing their work, and I wish it were something that I had kept up with. Although part of me feels selfish and guilty for taking time for myself.”
I loved the honesty of this question, and I think many of us can relate.
On longing…
First of all, the longing you feel is good. It’s been put there inside of you, inside each of us. We are made to be creative. That longing is woven into every fiber of us, and when we see other people using their creative gifts, it inspires us to use ours as well. We just might be out of practice, or we might’ve been conditioned to belittle that longing. Recognize that longing as good and follow where it leads. Dust off old creative endeavors or pick up new ones.
Doing something you were made to do isn’t selfish. It’s fulfilling and can make you better. Better at being a mom, a wife, better at your job, happier, and healthier. Anything can become selfish if it’s done in excess without any consideration for obligations or others. Water can become toxic when consumed in excess or dangerous when it rushes in a torrent, but it is necessary for life.
On finding inspiration…
It just occurred to me how we regularly refer to inspiration as something we need to find, like it’s a lost sock or something intentionally hidden from those who wish to create. I don’t think inspiration is something that is buried or in need of searching for. I think it is quite literally everywhere and in everything. When we struggle with what to create, I don’t think it’s because inspiration is elusive.
I’ve heard inspiration described in a variety of ways. Sometimes it’s a fickle muse that appears and disappears without any reliability. It’s frustrating, it’s torture, and it perhaps even mocks the creator who is desperately trying to pin it down. Sometimes it’s routine, discipline. Inspiration shows up when I show up to work. Sometimes it’s magic and mystery, striking like lightning. After decades of doing creative work, I understand all of those descriptors because I have felt all of those things about inspiration.
But what I’ve learned after more than 15 years of showing up to do creative work is that inspiration isn’t a crucial ingredient to creative work. Showing up to do the creative work, to make your art, is the crucial ingredient.
I’ve seen people who are inspired up to their eyeballs who make nothing. I’ve seen seemingly uninspired people create prolifically.
I have also learned, after more than 15 years of showing up to do creative work, that inspiration will come and go in seasons. Sometimes, you will be brimming with so much inspiration that you feel like you might burst. Sometimes you’ll feel like you’re showing up empty. Give your creative work what you have that day. Create from your abundance and create from your want. Believe it or not, there is inspiration to be found in both.
On “good enough”…
I think the real hang-up is found in the very vulnerable question, “Am I good enough?” That is a loaded question.
I would ask a question in return… Good enough for whom? Good enough for what? What is the standard of good?
If good means being rich and famous, reaching a five-digit number of likes, or winning an esteemed award, maybe you and your creative work aren’t good enough. And, by those standards, the majority of us aren’t. Do you realize that some of the greatest creatives in world history, the masters in their field, didn’t feel like they were good enough? This is a question that will get its hooks in you and never leave, no matter how many people tell you you’re good enough.
Stop asking it now.
I encourage you to take ownership of the answer so the question doesn’t need to be asked anymore. Define “good enough” and set the bar so low that you will clear it with ease.
For me, good enough is often just showing up. I sat at my easel today. I wrote today. I took pictures today. It doesn’t really matter if I didn’t produce work I love. I won’t every day. But it’s unavoidable to do something daily (or regularly) and not get better at it, so I’ll grow and start producing work that I do love. And every once in a while, I’ll make something that feels magical.
That won’t happen, though, if you or I ignore the longing, sit around idly and wait for inspiration, and set the “good enough” bar at an unattainable height.
31 Responses
I was not the one that posted this question, but I am going to read your reply to this question daily until it sinks in ❣️Thank you for the encouragement.
I logged on this morning to find a brand new website! Looks great!
I have feedback – The writing is too small for me to read. If I take the zoom up to 125% I can read it but the photos are so big they don’t fit on the page. I wonder if others have this problem. I’m using a desktop, btw. [I couldn’t find a “contact me” option. I don’t like saying negative things in public areas.]
Same experience here with small font (which is hard) and big pictures (which is great).
The content is fabulous. I greatly appreciate what you have written today.
I appreciate that! Yes, it’s a new website and we’re still working on tweaking and adjusting, so I appreciate the feedback.
I asked this question a few blog-posts back, but I was wondering if you had decided to change you dining room mural. I absolutely love it, but I can also see why you would want to change the background to something where you could better display landscape paintings.
I’m also curious about your kitchen shelving. There certainly was lots of controversy over those shelves and I admit that I was on Team No-Shelves! Where are you at with that now? Perhaps you will be writing update blogs on this once your attention turns to the inside of your home during the fall and winter. I look forward to hearing about your updates and decisions.
Will the Q and A replace your daily ‘reports’ on your home and garden projects? How often will the Q and A be the blog for the day? I hope you will continue to share your home and garden projects!!
I will just post them sprinkled in with my usual blog post content. They won’t be replacing anything. 😉
I love this Marion. Wise advise! Thank you. As a creative myself, I often struggle with these questions. And like you, I’ve found that the more I just press on, the less I care about others judgement of my work.
Marian
this post is very profound. I have forwarded it to several friends.
Thank You!
Susan
Thank you today’s post. I love to create: sew mostly but have found myself stalled. The answer for a while has been to buy more supplies. To “prepare.” It’s time to produce. Thanks for the nudge.
Yes, the font is small and I don’t really care for it – too “clean”? Content, as always, is excellent.
I needed that. Thank you, Marian. I was raised by an artist, my mother, who sold her work. I have always struggled with feeling like I’m not talented like Mom was. Mind you, this is all internally generated as my mom would never have said or thought that!
I have started to realize recently that my talents are not the same as my mom’s were. I am creative, but in different ways and media. Mom’s was oils and acrylics, mine is fiber/textile arts and interior design. Not less talented, just different talents. My mom died 19 years ago and it occurs to me that one way to honor her memory is to explore and exercise my creative self.
Another, of many, reasons I follow you, Marian! Just what I needed to hear today! Thank you!
I think the questions of am I good enough, is it selfish, do I still have “it” are all ways we subconsciously stop ourselves from doing the thing that is calling us to be done. The life we know feels safer, predictable, well defined by years of repetition. Being creative? That can feel unknown, unpredictable, with the possibility of disappointment. BUT may also contain freedom, joy (the deep abiding kind), wholeness and a return to self. For the longest time I feared, “what if I get so good at this and love it so much that I evolve and leave my family behind? Better stay small!” The truth is, you can lead the way for the loved ones around you to also pursue their passions and become more whole and more of who they were made to be by your example. Go for it!
Also agree that this new font type is hard to read. It isn’t just the size. Its also the style. I’ve got old lady eyes. If the person making the tweaks doesn’t need cheaters yet, it wouldn’t occur to them that it’s too small and “clean”.
Is there going to be a search bar on this new version? I’m getting ready to redecorate my dining room and wanted to read several of your posts on your Minnesota and Pennsylvania dining rooms for reference but I could only access some of them. I love your style and have read this blog for years but sometimes I miss when there were more furniture and decorating posts.
This was very interesting reading. I loved how you wrote about inspiration. My daughter is 18 and a creative. She is studying fashion design at University. When applying I kept at her about her inspiration and where she finds it etc. Her answer “I’m not inspired by things, I just do it” She shows up every day and creates, whether it’s making clothes, cooking or painting, she just does it.
The new website is beautiful. If possible, could you put the arrows back in. They make it much easier to move forward and backwards from post to post.
Yep, I’ll ask about that. We are still making adjustments and adding in features.
Great post! New font is small for my older eyes. Just positive feedback. This would not deter me from your posts.
Thanks for the feedback! We increased the font size, but let me know if you’re still having trouble.
I do appreciate the statement that inspiration comes and goes in seasons. I’m a card maker. Sometimes I paint them, sometimes I incorporate beautiful rice paper or a beautiful rubber stamp. There are times when I take a break and find inspiration when I’m not looking. To me a beautiful card or thank you note via snail mail is a treasure. I’m glad you’re going to try answering questions because I realize you can’t answer every inquiry.
Not a creative question but a bit of a frustration. I have subscribed to your blog with a new email. I still have the old email and receive your posts there but they are not showing up in my new email. I don’t want to miss any once I have eliminated my old email.
Send me an e-mail marian@missmustardseed and I’ll have my assistant take a look at it.
I am glad you will do Q&A again. I enjoy them. Regarding inspiration – it is a tricky business, in an effort to not get caught up, I try to stay “curious” instead.
I have a question: I am a watercolor artist and worked many years to get the level of technical skill and creativity that I have now. My problem is that I fall in love with my paintings and don’t want to sell or giveaway. I have paintings in the closet, under the bed and on the walls. I do exhibit through art clubs in galleries and get prizes. That is my reward. I’ve sold a few. Now I have lost my desire to make more paintings. Why am I so attached to my work? They seem like kind of a diary and very personal. Some artists say the joy is in making the work and then they don’t care what happens after that. My joy is looking at it and thinking that I made it!
Good question! I’ll write a post with some thoughts. 🙂
There’s a saying: “Inspiration exist, but it has to find you working”.
I love this quote, attributed to Pablo Picasso.
Now that I’m retired I’m showing up to my home art studio every day. Just organizing and checking on my materials, inspires me to do something.
Marian, very well said. Thank you.
Marian- How did you find your voice creatively? How do you continue to create new work without feeling like it has already been done ?
Wow, Marian! This is so good and helpful. I’m excited to say that I am in a time of major creativity and am achieving much more than I have in quite a while. I just wish it hadn’t taken so long to catch fire.
But I think I shouldn’t let regret have a place in this discussion. Regret grabs my attention and makes me look backwards, when what I need to do is look forward–to show up and do the day-to-day with an eye towards always moving forward. Who knows how much I might accomplish.
Thanks so much for this post. Such great timing for me!