SOS: Shiny Object Syndrome

 I'm writing this in hopes to help myself really. I struggle with this so much! Now, I do end up finishing many projects but my apartment has become a testament to my impulses. So, let's dish about focus and starting too many things at once. 

✨SPARKLY!✨

The "sparkle" is meant to grab your attention, that is its job. My tendency is to follow it probably farther than I want. HOWEVER, much like the psychology of advertising I find inspiration can often be that distraction that pulls me away from a current project. 

Here's what I mean. 

I'm currently working on my puppet design. It needs a lot of research for the parts I want to make for it. The pinterest board is very full and more is added to it all the time. (I really need to organize it.) As I'm researching how to make the scales, I find the silicone scale tutorial video. Instead of just leaving it as research, I start looking at other videos by the same person because there are related topics like what kind of silicone NOT to use. But then...then I fall in love with her mermaid tail. She makes it look so easy and it looks so nice. I want to make one now. 

And then it starts, now I'm fiddling with the idea of making a silicone mermaid tail. On top of my big goal of making a knitting pattern book, creating this elaborate puppet and costume, and making room for other social events. 

Emotional Elephant 🐘

Controlling the emotional draw of starting a fun, new project is like riding an elephant. It's a STRONG emotion and a force to be reckoned with. But I find I can't just brute force it to stop, I can only guide it to where I want to go...but I can guide it. It just takes a lot of work. 

I'm not good at it yet either. My growing collection of yarn and knitting needles is testament to that. (I think no yarn-worker can resist.) 

Elephant in the Room

Thing is, that even inspirational emotions need room to be. Stamping it down is no good. It's important to enjoy the JOY that inspiration brings. How cool it would be! How much fun I could have! Don't think about the practicalities, I would look amazing! For me and yarn, I will see a beautiful coloration that would be perfect for a pattern I just bought (and shouldn't have bought because I don't have time to make it, but I'm okay with collecting digital patterns. They don't take up physical space in my apartment just on my devices.) 

I browse the colorways, even put a couple in my cart, look at the price and ponder if it is worth it. 

This is actually kind of a dangerous pattern for an emotional impulse buyer like me. But sometimes just going through the process of putting it in the cart makes it feel like I'm actually doing it before I get the reality check. 

Check Please!

Let's be real. It is disappointing to say "no" to yourself. Even if you have the financial budget to start it, another budget will suffer. But I'm learning better ways to say "no" or "not yet" to myself who is like a toddler throwing a tantrum. 

Things I'm trying (that have varying results): 

1. Start Researching - this is the fun part and when the bug gets me sometimes just riding out the possibilities helps calm me down. After the honeymoon so to speak. 
2. Logical Reasoning - Evaluating the cost and consequences of doing this project. Like, where will I store it while not using it? When's the event? Maybe we can do this later or after. 
3. Give the idea space to breathe - in the early stages of a project after researching and mental planning, let the project sit untouched for a couple days. Then come back to evaluate. Maybe I won't be AS excited to work on it. And boom...just saved a ton of money. 
4. Revisit the Inspiration for Current Stuff - Most of my current projects had research behind them too! Rekindle the romance...so to speak. 
5. Write a blog about it - I use this blog for off-loading many ideas I don't currently have time for as well as the ones I do have time for. Although, sometimes it just end up being inspiring too. 
6. Reminder of Priorities - I'm re-reading The One Thing by Gary Keller which is really helpful for other aspects of life too. Identifying the most important thing will make other things fall to the wayside OR they'll get done as a consequence of doing the most important thing. 
7. Check my Emotional State - I get more impulsive when I am emotionally drained, stressed or otherwise HALTed (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired). These are the times when willpower is at its lowest so starting a big project, spending money or making big decisions is risky. 

Do these things always work? No of course not. I purchased nylon hair to make some kirin art dolls. I also want to make a giant unicorn art doll that will certainly not fit in my apartment but screw it! 

(I've put a pin in that one and will come back to it as I'm still high on the idea despite the practical issues with making a large item in a small apartment.) 

I hope this helps someone. (I hope this helps me!) But much like my Polish Vampire Hunter, I'll probably do a design post about a silicone mermaid tail. 

YAS...mood.