Do You Suffer From DIY Paralysis?

Pom Garland ... Rainbow Swirl - DIY Kit

While reading over some of my favorite blogs this week, I came across an article called 'DIY Paralysis:  3 Principles For Regaining Your Momentum'.  This title made me laugh because it spoke so clearly to the state of total frustration that I sometimes feel when I have too many ideas running around in my head.  Working on-line and in the Etsy community, I am constantly surrounded with creative minds at work.  Each day brings a myriad of fresh ideas as I stumble across projects I know I could make if I just had the right materials or the TIME.  Notebooks have been filled with wonderful schemes of creations I want to try.  There is no end to the possibilities.

As I was enjoying Tara's post I realized I had grown up in a very nurturing environment, perfect for a DIY student.  I've spent many an hour watching how-to T.V. shows and wondering around craft supply stores dreaming of what to create next--Martha's words always ringing in my ear...'it's a good thing'.  But with all this knowledge and potential craftiness came an overwhelming burden to make everything myself--throwing myself into this state of paralysis.  

MAKE-IT-YOURSELF CLUTCH PURSE KIT - As Seen on The Martha Stewart Show

I wanted to share Tara of Scoutie Girl's 3 principles for regaining momentum, once you've been paralyzed.

1. She suggests 'using inspiration sparingly'.  Be selective with the information you consume.  Don't be bombarded with the how-to networks, websites, tutorials, books and magazines that exist to fill our days with pretty pictures and list of materials.

2. 'Recognize appropriate scale'.  Choose projects you are most likely to finish.  My husband and I are have been trying finish home remodeling projects for three years now.  Some of the tasks have been daunting and we are now finally in the finishing stages of many of the projects--so I understand this principle well. 

3. 'Do-it-yourself doesn't mean doing it all!'  She points out that shopping on Etsy is a 'frustrated DIYers dream'.  Buy instead of make.  Now this is a good point when hearing the 'I could make this' voice inside my head.  And don't forget there are always DIY kits you can buy when you just can't resist the temptation to make it yourself. ; ) 

Curly Sheep Needle Felting Kit