Crafting Is An Emotional Roller Coaster
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Crafting Is An Emotional Roller Coaster

3
Crafting Is An Emotional Roller Coaster

After browsing famous pages like The Cooler Connection or looking up "easy" crafts on Pinterest, the downtime during summer time often leads to craft-inspiration.The vision you get in your head when deciding on a craft is of you sitting on your living room floor with a glass of wine, while you effortlessly paint/draw/craft a masterpiece. However, if you are anything like me - the process isn't so effortless.

For those who are less fortunate in the artistic department, creating your vision is rarely a breeze. You might just find yourself on an emotional roller coaster going through these six phases.

Phase One: Overconfidence

"Oh, I could totally do that in like one sitting. Except for mine will be way better and definitely not have those weird streaks."

When picking out a craft from the ridiculously perfect ones that you browse on Pinterest, you always find yourself being drawn toward the extremely intricate, most difficult projects. However, you have full confidence in yourself that you will be able to pull it off. You probably waste no time running to the store to buy the supplies that you will need to create your masterpiece that will definitely look 100 times better than your inspiration.

Phase Two: Excitement

"Oh my gosh I can't believe all of these paints were on sale! Forget reading the steps to follow, I just need to get these awesome colors on my bubba keg!"

After you purchase all of your supplies, you can not wait to get started because you know once you're done everyone will be complimenting and/or requesting one of your creations. You might get a little too excited and accidentally skip an important step like priming, but you are just too excited to notice. That is, until you take a moment to step back and see what you've done so far and it looks like something even a two-year-old wouldn't be proud of.

Phase Three: Self-Doubt

"Will the person I'm making it for actually appreciate all of the work I'm doing?"

This is the moment when you start to question why you decided to start this project in the first place. Am I really this bored? Will this thing actually turn out to look decent? You question everything from your creative abilities to your ability to follow directions as you look down on something that you know will spend hours to perfect.

Phase Four: Failure

"Why did I ever think that I was capable of not messing something up?"

It often does not take long to get from phase three to phase four. The self-doubt that you experience during phase three will frequently turn into a feeling of failure. You feel that there is no way that you can complete this craft. There is no chance that if you do finish, that it will turn out semi-okay. Nothing can fix this monster, and this is most likely when you will throw in the towel - at least for the day.

Phase Five: Determination

"Well, I did spend a ridiculous amount of money for the cooler, primer, sealer, sander...etc. Now I have to figure out a way to make this thorn in my side work."

This phase begins after you realized how much money you spent on the materials for your craft and that you have virtually no clue of what else you could get this person for a present. You sit yourself down, maybe sand down a layer or paint over what you had started with renewed patience and little confidence. However, your determination to make this craft stellar carries you through the taxing hours you will spend slaving over it.

Phase Six: Redemption

"Wait...Is this actually turning out to look good?!"

After hours of sitting hunched over your new baby, you finally take a minute to stop and look at it once again. With a super judgmental scan, you start to realize that there isn't that much to criticize. Did you actually make something worth being seen by someone other than your grandma? By George, I think you've done it!

Phase Seven: Pride

"I'm pretty sure I need to open my own Etsy shop now."

By far, this is the greatest of all phases. The mixed sense of success and satisfaction while looking at your creation that is no longer cringe-worthy makes the emotional roller coaster worthwhile. You have quickly forgotten what your masterpiece looked like early on, and find yourself snapping pictures to show of your artistic ability to the world. If the craft was a gift, you better believe that is one of the luckiest people ever to receive such an astounding work of art.


At the end of the day, you find yourself ready to embark on another craft and wonder why you ever question yourself and your creative abilities. You are easily the sratty version of Michelangelo and anyone who doesn't realize that clearly just needs to get their eyes checked.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

100835
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments