I feel so boring

LegacyUser

I'm a 23 year old girl and lately have been feeling very frustrated with myself. I recently rediscovered a website I had created when I was just 14, and I realised how creative I used to be and how much I loved learning new things. I seem to have gotten stuck in a rut recently of work, internet, TV, and do virtually no other activities. I used to play an instrument but moved abroad and don't have it with me. I do go to language classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. I've recently met a lot of new people and they all seem so interesting and cool compared to me. They make films, they play the guitar, paint, draw, etc. I would love to be as creative as them but in the past I never had much of a talent for painting or drawing (as much as I enjoyed it). Creating websites was really my thing, but I haven't made one in over 8 years now and to be honest I'm totally out of the loop design wise and also I don't really have a topic (in the past it was teeny stuff like boybands and celebrities which I'm no longer interested in!) I just feel like a bit of a waster and feel stupid when people ask me what I do in my spare time, as it's very little!

So I guess I was just looking for some advice or ideas on how to give myself a kick up the arse and maybe an idea of a hobby of some sort I could take up which doesn't require too much talent! I feel like a need to be much more rounded, as if I'm a fifth of what I'm supposed to be or something like that. My main interests are travel, languages, world news, that sort of thing and I enjoy cooking and baking...

nyarlothothep

probably of no help here but...

being creative in any discipline is like starting a fire, cheesy analogy but its the best one I can think of...basically you have to keep at it, keep coming up with ideas no matter how bad they may be because if you have any creative drive by law of averages you'll hit on something good. Its like practicing an instrument, you cant start off good, it requires work and patience. Any hobby/skill requires work, like web design. The enthusiasm for many disciplines can be quite small but present nonetheless as in yeah I wish I could do that. When you apply yourself to it constantly you develop enthusiasm.

LegacyUser

Hi Op,

Im an artist myself, Its all a load of bollo really, you are as good as you feel, sure its good to be creative and draw and paint but no more than what you can do, your comparing your talents to theirs, i did this myself before but then realized you have to represent yourself no matter what, They probably feel insecure for the things they cannot do too,

If your hanging around with a load of artist are your different then of course this will be highlighted but instead of putting yourself down you should be seeing all your strengths too,

Art may be a discipline to some artists but not all and not me, that word defeats the purpose of enjoyment as a creative, we are all creative in our own way, what really matters is how much you love you and what you have to offer, when i discovered this my insecurities of comparing myself to others fell away.

You can only thrive when your loving you, dont feel like your doing nothing at the mo i bet your doing a huge amount and its not fair your not acknowledging this for yourself.

Sorry but i have to stick up for you even if your not.

LegacyUser

Hey its OP, thanks for the advice. Maybe I am being too hard on myself. I think I might pick up drawing and painting again just for my own enjoyment, as I find it quite therapeutic. I guess I worry that if I pick up too many hobbies I won't have time for them all (when I was younger I didn't do as well at school as I should have cos of my web design) but I can't stand the watch TV all night lifestyle!

LegacyUser

Its about you and how you feel about yourself at the end of the day.

Its very easy to get in to that work, eat, TV, bed routine. Only you can change that but do it for yourself, to make yourself happy and nobody else.

petethebrick

Realising that you want to do more in life is the first step. Next is actually doing some of the things you think you'd enjoy doing. When you get older it can be hard to set aside the time to do these things, especially if you work full time. Therefore I think it's a good idea to get involved in organised classes of some sort as it gives you the extra motivation to follow through with hobbies/activities. Start with google - there are tons of classes/clubs out there for art, creative writing etc...

unreggd

OP, I'm the same!

Fed up of my life in Ireland

I used to do loads of sport, and was big into Art when I was younger
Used to play Keyboard too, but now I dont do any of that

Im really lazy now, and its a pain in the arse

Basically, ye hafta be proactive

Things will only happen if you make them

Make a list of stuff you like to do and keep it somewhere you can always see it

Thats what I'm gna do

Theres actually a lot I could be doin

Paintin canvases, playin keyboard [got a new one], sketching.

And if you like to cook/bake, thats great! People love free food :P

Regarding art, just do it for the enjoyment, as opposed to trying to be amazing

And ironically you'll find you will get a lot better if you keep it up

As was said, classes/clubs are the way forward

You'll make new friends easily, since u share a common interest from the start

and if its a course u pay for, you'll make sure ya go


I started singing lessons a few weeks back, and im a terrible singer! But its somethin positive to keep me occupied, and I enjoy myself, thats all that matters

unreggd

OP, I'm the same!

Fed up of my life in Ireland

I used to do loads of sport, and was big into Art when I was younger
Used to play Keyboard too, but now I dont do any of that

Im really lazy now, and its a pain in the arse

Basically, ye hafta be proactive

Things will only happen if you make them

Make a list of stuff you like to do and keep it somewhere you can always see it

Thats what I'm gna do

Theres actually a lot I could be doin

Paintin canvases, playin keyboard [got a new one], sketching.

And if you like to cook/bake, thats great! People love free food :P

Regarding art, just do it for the enjoyment, as opposed to trying to be amazing

And ironically you'll find you will get a lot better if you keep it up

As was said, classes/clubs are the way forward

You'll make new friends easily, since u share a common interest from the start

and if its a course u pay for, you'll make sure ya go


I started singing lessons a few weeks back, and im a terrible singer! But its somethin positive to keep me occupied, and I enjoy myself, thats all that matters

PaulieBoy

Enough already!
You are doing Languages on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, for Gods sake, that's a whole lot more than most people do in a life time! Your being too hard on yourself.
Your looking at other people thinking their so cool they do lot's of stuff, have you considered that other people look at you and think your cool cause of what you do? Could well be the case.
Don't try live your life to impress, or even keep up with others, just live it for yourself. Your doing plenty as it is, keep it up and if something new catches your fancy, give it a go.
Me, I've had a go at almost everything and I'm not done yet. There is no harm in picking up a hobby, giving it a go and dropping it and moving on.
You will not get arrested for trying out to many hobbies! Go forth and try everything, most of what you try can be done really cheap, many you will drop, some may tickle your interest, and all will add to who you are.
Best bit is , it's fun :-)

Overheal

I found the best thing is to shake up or eliminate parts of your routine for this. A couple months ago I had enough of it, bought a new desk, away from the TV and just got to work on some art. Similarly if you get out of the house for a while and you can find somewhere to sit and be creative at, all the better.