Slightly Off KIlter

Do you ever find yourself looking at something someone else has done — a creative effort of some kind, be it an essay, a handmade greeting card, a drawing, a Flash video, a handknitted sweater, a proposal — and hear yourself saying “That person has too much time on their hands!”
Just what, exactly, does that mean?

Too much time on your hands… How can anyone possibly have too much time?

Frankly, I don’t have enough time. I certainly don’t have enough time to gain and practice the skills that would allow me to create a handknitted sweater, a drawing, a handmade greeting card, or a Flash video! I do have writing skills, however, as well as a lot of practice at writing, so I write well and quickly. I’m up for the challenge of producing an essay or a proposal (or a weblog :-). And in those areas, I too hear, “you have too much time on your hands”.

Funny. I still think there isn’t nearly enough time available for everything I want to do. I have to pick my projects. I have to choose what I can try, what I can do, what I can learn. I have to choose what I have to give up.

None of us have infinite time. The only ones who have “too much time” are the ones with nothing to do.

You’re So Talented…

There’s an insidious corrollary to the “too much time” refrain. It starts out appearing to be complementary: “You’re so talented…”. Then it runs right off the rails.

You’re so talented. I could never do this!

      My talent has morphed into your self-judgement.

You’re so talented. I hate you!

      Oops. My talent has triggered your reactive grudge.

This is so pretty. How could I ever get rid of it?

      Ouch! Do you generally plan to throw your gifts/cards/whatever away?

Guilt Trip

A creative journaling list group I’m in recently discussed guilt, specifically being “made to feel guilt”. Guilt at doing something for pleasure. Guilt at spending time on art instead of more “meaningful” pursuits. Guilt at doing something out of passion rather than because it beings in money.

One woman mentioned starting ballet classes at the age of 30; with one exception, everyone she told got a blank look for a while before they asked “are you planning to be a professional dancer?” Another woman got the “I hate you reaction to a handmade birthday card. After considering the reaction, she decided never to make that person another card.

Another woman commented that “There’s nothing worse than revealing [your creative] side to someone and getting that curious look, or worse, snide remark”. When she was in law school, she found it odd that the same students who chided her for taking time from studying to read a book or write in her journal thought nothing of “unwinding” for hours at a party or a bar.

Your Choice

The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

— Bertrand Russell

Almost everyone “wastes” time in some fashion. I read, you draw, he watches television. If you like the way you spend your time and if your choice gives you pleasure, don’t let anyone else guilt you into feeling otherwise. We all have the same amount of time; what matters is how each of us chooses to spend what we have.