Perfectionism - Just do it.

I'm sitting here early on a Saturday morning, wrapped in a blanket, in pyjamas, listening to Lana Del Rey crooning on, (guilty pleasure), the birds chirp madly outside. Last night's makeup is smudged unceremoniously around my face, my hair is sticking up, and I don't smell very good ...and that's okay.

Whenever I think about working on my website or writing blog posts, I think of sitting down at my computer in a meticulously clean space, hair done, tasteful outfit on, (possibly a few lbs thinner), a gorgeous teacup by my side filled with beautiful tea from Murchies.

Maybe it's because it's a passion project - I feel there should be some ceremony around it. It's my chance to do something for myself. Some people go get a pedicure - I work on my website. This line of thinking leads to a lot of procrastination. How can it ever be perfect enough? How can I be perfect enough to work on it? Perfectionism rears its ugly and unproductive head.

It could be due to Blogabiodysphoria (maybe all those medical terminology class weren't in vain? ) Blog - bio (life) dysphoria - (dissatisfaction). It's a principle that fairly established in the blog reading world when people only output the beautiful things in life - the perfectly staged vignettes, smiling children, amazing artwork... It's hard not to feel envious and start comparing your hectic, un-entrepreneurial existence. Sometimes an especially long session on Instagram is enough to want to pack up, move to America, become a housewife and have three kids in a house that costs less than a bachelor suite.

Despairing aside - as a designer - I love the perfectly staged vignettes. It appeals to my sense of order and aesthetic. In a busy, utilitarian world, it's nice to have a bit of fantasy. You clean for house guests, why wouldn't you spruce things up for a blog post about your office? It shows a pride in your work to put your best foot forward. If you're a fashion blog - you're going to showcase your cutest outfit. A craft blog? I bet your step by steps are going to be nicely photographed. There's nothing wrong with that. It's also nice to be human, don't get me wrong. (Did I not start this post out talking about being in pjs with bedhead?)

Your best foot can be a bit of pressure, especially when you're designing for yourself. What is my best foot? I think I've had at least three completely different logos, colour schemes and two different Wordpress themes as a basis for this blog. As this project dragged on throughout the (I'm sad to say it) years ... it expanded and more aspects would be added. It's become a bit of a monster, so I'm taking a leaf out of Nike's book and employing the "Just do it" slogan.

“Hack away at your projects - it’s not as glamorous, but it’s so much more satisfying”

What if it's not finished? What if I add a section in later? If I wait until I'm entirely happy, I don't think Teacups & Spectacles will ever exist... and I'm enjoying writing this post. I'm looking forward to see how it develops and grows - and you can't micromanage that. So occasionally I'll be typing with my nails painted a pretty colour, or will be having an exceptionally good eyebrow day with an uncluttered desk. But the stars don't need to align to get to work. Hack away at your projects - it's not as glamorous, but it's so much more satisfying.

There's a great podcast I've been listening to: Sarah R Bagley - a recovering perfectionist's guide to living a B+ life. If you find yourself nodding while reading this post, this podcast is for you!

Thanks for reading, 

- Karen

B is for Beginnings and Blogging

Well, here we are. It’s been quite a journey, even though this blog has barely started. I decided to start blogging a few years ago on a craft blog, sharing knitted dolls that I made. As time passed, I realized that knitting 24/7 wasn’t good for me (or my wrists) so I decided to take a small step back from the “crafting scene” and back to my roots— drawing.

I also finished a Web Development and Digital Media course and started a job as a Graphic Designer. I needed to create a space where I could share what I’m working on, with enough space to grow into whatever these hobbies become. Okay, maybe not hobbies, but until they’re successful and developed, I cringe at calling them business ventures.

I’ve tried attacking this “business” problem from all angles over the last year. I’m going to use this space to document my journey. The internet is disproportionally full of successful entrepreneurs, but there’s not a lot of content on HOW these people got to where they are. I have no illusions that Teacups & Spectacles will morph into a huge successful stationery company… or sell thousands of knitting patterns, but I’d like to see where it will take me. I tend to be a non-risk taker in general (I’m definitely not the girl you’d see sky diving or living on the wild side– minus the tattoos, but they’re pretty) so it’ll be good for me to take the chance.

So, this blog will be a record of this exciting and aggravating time in my life. It will follow ups, downs and in-betweens.  I’ll share whatever knowledge I gain from trying to get into the illustration/stationery biz,  as well as the exciting world of Web Design and if knitting patterns really sell. It’s exciting to start fresh- new name, new space, new ventures. Thanks for joining me!