As an artist, I get a lot of different responses when I tell people what I do for a living. From men, I usually get a politely-interested-but-really-thinking-about-the-ball-game kind of response. From women, I usually get genuine interest in my career and business. What I find most interesting is that women usually say to me, “That is so fascinating! I wish that I did something like that!”
When I tell them that they can, and start asking them what things they like to do, they seem to be very indecisive and full of excuses of why they can’t take the plunge. Since it is mostly stay-at-home moms that I end up talking with, many of the excuses are things like, “I can’t get any time for myself, let alone a side-business!” or, “I’m just not crafty.”
Lots of times when I ask other moms what hobbies or interests they have, they can’t give me an answer. Honestly, I don’t know how these women keep their sanity! I have two children and I need (not want, need) a creative outlet. Ambition, passion, and hard work are just in my nature and I am confounded that anyone would rather sit in their house and do nothing all day, every day. Don’t get me wrong – I am not saying that stay-at-home moms do nothing (I know that staying home with babies and small children is the HARDEST thing to do), but what I don’t understand is how a person can want something so badly but never take the initiative to go after it.
My message to all stay-at-home moms (or anyone else) that has been wanting to take up a new hobby for fun or to make a little extra cash is this: grab the steering wheel and drive! Realize that YOU are in control of yourself. You only get one shot at life, so make the most of it. Take control and chase after your dreams, because nobody else is going to do it for you. Make the most of each moment of every day, because once the day is over, it’s over. You can never steal back wasted time, so make each day, each week, and each year count! Today is the day! Figure out what it is that you want to do with yourself, and GO DO IT!
All the best!
3 comments:
It's fascinating you'd say this. People say a similar thing to me, "I'd love to write a book." I always say, "You should." I don't think people realize they don't need permission to be amazing.
It's so true. I was actually thinking of you when I wrote this post. You are a perfect example of someone that grabbed her own steering wheel and drove!
I just found this blog. I love it!
I agree with you and wonder what some women do all day. Being a mom is hard and it is time consuming. But I believe we need to take time for ourselves to stay ourselves - if that makes sense. I had a friend tell me once, a few weeks after having a baby, that she finally felt like herself again by doing one of her hobbies.
Sometimes when people ask me what my interests are I don't know what to say right away. I have so many and I'm not sure they want to hear everything at once. So, perhaps my response is a little vague at times as well?
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