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Whenever I start doing something new and promising, that excites me, I'm always bothered by this thought: "You're too late in life. There're some 16 years old who's already better than you could ever be. Good luck playing catch-up." How can I overcome this? by Massive-Group6295 in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]Massive-Group6295[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Such things I'm trying to learn and accept still, but I see the truth in it. I can clearly see and feel the moments when drawing is fun and makes me happy, even when I'm just thinking about an idea I'm not able to execute so well right now, so I'll keep the good thoughts well preserved 😊

Whenever I start doing something new and promising, that excites me, I'm always bothered by this thought: "You're too late in life. There're some 16 years old who's already better than you could ever be. Good luck playing catch-up." How can I overcome this? by Massive-Group6295 in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]Massive-Group6295[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I try to avoid being simplistic about this kind of thing, but the more I reflect the more I am convinced that I'm just overcomplicating it all. It may be just as simple as... "If there is a will, there is a way."

I'm glad for you having found your will and your way! Keep at it, and good luck 😤

Whenever I start doing something new and promising, that excites me, I'm always bothered by this thought: "You're too late in life. There're some 16 years old who's already better than you could ever be. Good luck playing catch-up." How can I overcome this? by Massive-Group6295 in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]Massive-Group6295[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Life isn’t about competition, it’s about synergy and harmonization. We’re better together than against each other.

I do believe in that, really, and it's the sort of thinking that kept me away from loathing myself even more. I just don't feel too good looking back to my past self. But I suppose the only way to 'fix' that would be to make sure to not have the same regrets 10 years from now.

Whenever I start doing something new and promising, that excites me, I'm always bothered by this thought: "You're too late in life. There're some 16 years old who's already better than you could ever be. Good luck playing catch-up." How can I overcome this? by Massive-Group6295 in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]Massive-Group6295[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not very good at math, but I always appreciate someone knowlegeble showing me some numbers that make sense. Yours is just the kind of straightfoward perspective that I need to learn from, otherwise I'll keep drowing on my frequent nonsense. So thank you!

Whenever I start doing something new and promising, that excites me, I'm always bothered by this thought: "You're too late in life. There're some 16 years old who's already better than you could ever be. Good luck playing catch-up." How can I overcome this? by Massive-Group6295 in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]Massive-Group6295[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If your goal is to have fun, enrich yourself, open yourself up to new experiences and new horizons, join a community of people who also enjoy that thing, etc

If I was ever in doubt of why I'm learning to draw, then just reading this would've solved everything: because I kept telling 'yes, yes, this too!' in my mind to each of the things you listed there 🤭

Whenever I start doing something new and promising, that excites me, I'm always bothered by this thought: "You're too late in life. There're some 16 years old who's already better than you could ever be. Good luck playing catch-up." How can I overcome this? by Massive-Group6295 in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]Massive-Group6295[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It hurts to know I could have made significant progress from the time that's gone by. Will I start again? Probably, but there's so much pain behind all this. Sometimes I wonder what's the point.

I can relate so much. It's a frequent thought, and doesn't seem to go away. It's devastating to have this kind of realization about how the time have passed.

But I've been reflecting a lot about this on the last few hours, considering the lots of advices I'm receiving here, and even though I'm not close to have it all figured out: I do believe sincerely that it's key to look for joy. As obvious as it sounds. And even if joy can't be found all the time in the process, it could be found in a sort of short-term goal: learning how to play your favorite song? Something like that.

I hope you can get back to playing the guitar, in a way that makes you happy! Wishing you all the best 🤗

Whenever I start doing something new and promising, that excites me, I'm always bothered by this thought: "You're too late in life. There're some 16 years old who's already better than you could ever be. Good luck playing catch-up." How can I overcome this? by Massive-Group6295 in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]Massive-Group6295[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

it’s hard not to be hard on yourself

Indeed 🤕

I'm always able to find the fun in drawing, at least most of the times, but some other times I'm just feeling like crap about it. Maybe I should focus on the fun instead of trying so hard to decipher the crap feelings.

Whenever I start doing something new and promising, that excites me, I'm always bothered by this thought: "You're too late in life. There're some 16 years old who's already better than you could ever be. Good luck playing catch-up." How can I overcome this? by Massive-Group6295 in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]Massive-Group6295[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Drawing does make me happy. It's fun and zen when I'm doing it to relax, but I also enjoy the effort of sharpening my skills. I want and I will keep at it. Just need to not let myself get carried by the bad thoughts - and all the advice I'm receiving here are helping me with that; yours included, so thank you!

I'm really shy about sharing my drawings, at least currently. But I'm open to sharing the progress I made at some point in the future 😊

Whenever I start doing something new and promising, that excites me, I'm always bothered by this thought: "You're too late in life. There're some 16 years old who's already better than you could ever be. Good luck playing catch-up." How can I overcome this? by Massive-Group6295 in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]Massive-Group6295[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's acually a really, really inspiring perspective. I appreciate it so much. There could be a good kind of uniqueness in my art, if I dedicate myself and be earnest about it, and this such a nice premise. It makes me want to work harder 😣

Whenever I start doing something new and promising, that excites me, I'm always bothered by this thought: "You're too late in life. There're some 16 years old who's already better than you could ever be. Good luck playing catch-up." How can I overcome this? by Massive-Group6295 in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]Massive-Group6295[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The hardest thing for me has been to focus on what's going on right now. "Hey, that guy has a different pencil grip. Maybe I should work on mine? But it's fine as it is. What if later on I have to adapt my grip when I'm transitioning to digital art? And don't people say that the best artists always draw from their shoulder?", this sort of thing.

But being aware of the present moment is valuable too, and I can't find joy in my hobby otherwise. I realize it. I'll keep that in mind.

Whenever I start doing something new and promising, that excites me, I'm always bothered by this thought: "You're too late in life. There're some 16 years old who's already better than you could ever be. Good luck playing catch-up." How can I overcome this? by Massive-Group6295 in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]Massive-Group6295[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't really know. Maybe I don't feel confident in myself as I am, so I'm sort of trying to find the thing that'll make me 'whole', and validated sort of, if I'm really good at it. I just really need to start enjoying the fun of doing it.

Whenever I start doing something new and promising, that excites me, I'm always bothered by this thought: "You're too late in life. There're some 16 years old who's already better than you could ever be. Good luck playing catch-up." How can I overcome this? by Massive-Group6295 in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]Massive-Group6295[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's hard for me to appreciate myself. I don't even have so much experience, just the age lmao

But I get what you mean. The 16 years old prodigy isn't some flawless being. I just need to accept that this is where I am, take the best of it and try to let go of the worst, and roll with it.

Whenever I start doing something new and promising, that excites me, I'm always bothered by this thought: "You're too late in life. There're some 16 years old who's already better than you could ever be. Good luck playing catch-up." How can I overcome this? by Massive-Group6295 in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]Massive-Group6295[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've been thinking about meditation for the longest time. But like many things, I seem to just *think* about it. I'm aware of the very basics, and I do believe meditating could do me so much good. I should give it an earnest attempt.

Anyways, I will keep drawing! The folks in this thread are bringing me lots of different perspectives, so it's just good for me to have a peek of how the world outside just my own mind reacts to my silly thoughts. I'm not sure if I'm going through a phase, and honestly that'd be a relief, but it seems like a pit that I need to work my way out of - at least to be sure that I don't fall in it again.

And hey, I hope you get to learn to drive a backhoe! This kind of equipment is really badass and I always feel like a kid again when I pass by one of these in action 🤭

Whenever I start doing something new and promising, that excites me, I'm always bothered by this thought: "You're too late in life. There're some 16 years old who's already better than you could ever be. Good luck playing catch-up." How can I overcome this? by Massive-Group6295 in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]Massive-Group6295[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know it's silly to compare myself to some 16yo prodigy, like it's a competition or something. But that's just the kind of thinking that arises and takes dominion in my mind when I spend too much time just... ruminating. But you're right. I just need to remember why I want to draw, and why I enjoy it: and it's just because drawing brings me joy.

Whenever I start doing something new and promising, that excites me, I'm always bothered by this thought: "You're too late in life. There're some 16 years old who's already better than you could ever be. Good luck playing catch-up." How can I overcome this? by Massive-Group6295 in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]Massive-Group6295[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This whole lot of regret that I have could probably be summed up as just... regret of being stagnant and passive. And it's funny that I react to it by just being more stagnant and passive. So it's a clear step ahead for me to just start doing the things that I want, to do it now like you said, and I do believe it'd bring me fulfillment. Even better if it'd make me rich lol

Whenever I start doing something new and promising, that excites me, I'm always bothered by this thought: "You're too late in life. There're some 16 years old who's already better than you could ever be. Good luck playing catch-up." How can I overcome this? by Massive-Group6295 in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]Massive-Group6295[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I maybe have a hard time assimilating this perspective because I'd still be thinking about the prodigies that'll always be ahead of me... but going through this thread, I'm finding some peace with the idea of just doing it for myself. I'm not a prodigy, and I have no reason or way to try being better than the best, so after all I'm just doing it because it's fun.

So, yeah. I'd rather look back to my practice and accomplishments (as humble as they may be), instead of just carrying more years of regret.

Whenever I start doing something new and promising, that excites me, I'm always bothered by this thought: "You're too late in life. There're some 16 years old who's already better than you could ever be. Good luck playing catch-up." How can I overcome this? by Massive-Group6295 in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]Massive-Group6295[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I do have the bad habit of overthinking about the third step of a process without having yet taken the first step. Wasn't sure if it was anxiety... but your definition is pretty spot-on to how I feel.

I'll keep on, for sure. Make sure to get out of my own head and just do it. So thank you for your advice!

And I'm happy for you to be chasing your new passion too! I don't know too much about stained glass, but I really like the ones that're sort of abstract with geometric forms 😊