I can’t seem to resist starting new projects. This has always been the case, and I have often felt stuck in an endless loop of taking on new things, becoming overwhelmed, quitting, and then starting over—a pattern that made it hard to master anything and easy to get overwhelmed. But the drive to try new things is still as strong as the desire to improve my skills. I eventually came to a balanced approach where I strive to improve existing craft practices and hobbies without neglecting the need for novelty.
A teacher once tried—unsuccessfully—to convince me to give up the piano and mandolin and focus on the clarinet, calling me a “jack of all trades, master of none.” Later, a clarinet teacher’s approach resonated more with me. Noting that I had played a piece better than the previous lesson despite not practicing, he said, “Just think what you could do if you did practice.” Those words have stayed with me. I don’t want to stop trying new things, but I also want to focus on practicing and improving skills that are important to me.
How many WIPs is too many? Time for another finish-a-thon! (Yes, the date on that glove is 2019).
All photos by Jessie McKitrick.
