Brief Summary
Jane from Snapdragon Studio addresses the common issue of abandoned craft projects and the negative feelings associated with them. She challenges the societal pressure to always finish what you start, arguing that there's value in the process of starting and learning, even if a project is never completed. She discusses how societal expectations from the past have contributed to feelings of guilt and shame around unfinished projects, and encourages viewers to reframe their perspective, viewing these projects as sources of learning, curiosity, and courage.
- Societal expectations emphasize finishing projects, leading to guilt and shame when projects are abandoned.
- Abandoned projects can still provide value through acquired skills, knowledge, and insights.
- Reframing the perspective on unfinished projects can foster creativity, curiosity, and courage.
Introduction
Jane introduces the topic of abandoned craft projects, inspired by comments from her "About Time" master class where many participants expressed feelings of guilt and shame about not finishing projects. She aims to reframe the perception of works in progress, suggesting a more positive and constructive way to view them.
The Commonality of Abandoned Projects
Jane notes that a significant percentage of her friends feel they never finish anything, despite appearing successful from the outside. This perception often leads to a negative self-image and discourages them from starting new projects. She suggests that this mindset is often instilled in childhood by authority figures or societal norms, particularly influenced by the "job for life" culture prevalent from the 1920s to 1990s, which venerated sticking with things and finishing them, even if they turned out to be a mistake.
Personal Experience and Shifting Careers
Jane shares her personal experience of training to be a museum curator, a path that initially pleased her parents due to its security and status. However, she realized she disliked the job and its politics. Despite her parents' disappointment, she retrained in horticulture and eventually started a cut flower business. Since then, she has shifted her career every few years, embracing the excitement and energy of starting new ventures, which she contrasts with the societal pressure to remain in a single, stable job.
The Energy of Starting Projects
Jane discusses the positive energy and curiosity involved in starting a new project. She acknowledges that some projects may not meet expectations, and it's acceptable to abandon them if they no longer bring joy or interest. She emphasizes that it's better to stop a project that isn't working than to waste time and resources on something unfulfilling.
Sunk Costs and Acquired Skills
Jane addresses the concept of sunk costs, referring to the time, energy, and money already invested in a project. She recounts how her parents viewed her career change as a waste of her previous training. However, she argues that the skills and knowledge gained from her art gallery experience have been valuable in her current work, blending with her interest in nature and social history. She encourages viewers to see their abandoned projects not as complete wastes, but as sources of skills, knowledge, and insights, even if it's just learning what they don't enjoy.
Guilt and Shame
Jane discusses the guilt and shame associated with unfinished projects, stemming from societal conditioning and over-attachment to sunk costs. She emphasizes that guilt and shame can hinder creativity and discourage starting new projects. To combat this, she announces that the Studio Club will focus on rescuing, repurposing, or releasing unfinished projects during July and August.
Historical Perspective and Community
Jane shares a historical anecdote about unfinished embroidery projects being collected during World War I to provide materials for injured soldiers. This illustrates that the problem of unfinished projects is not new and is a common experience. She encourages viewers to connect with others, such as through the Studio Club, to realize they are not alone in having abandoned projects.
Personal Example: Heirloom Quilt Cardigan
Jane shares her own unfinished project: an heirloom quilt cardigan made from plant-dyed cotton. After completing most of the cardigan, she realized she disliked the inside seams and knew she would never wear it. She plans to unpick the cardigan and repurpose the squares into a blanket.
Call to Action and Conclusion
Jane invites viewers to join the Studio Club to work on their unfinished projects together. She encourages viewers to share their worst, longest-standing works in progress in the comments, emphasizing that having abandoned projects is a sign of creativity, courage, and curiosity, not a lack of discipline.
