Try Something New

It felt so good to try something new. To accomplish something that even a few years ago I didn’t think I could do without spending hours behind the scenes to figure out how to get the end product. I love to design I have come to realize. I may be re-creating something I have seen somewhere before but usually I am able to put my own spin on it. I don’t know about you but there have been so many times in which I will see something in a store and think “I can make that” just to find out that it’s a bit harder than what I first thought. But now with the wonder of the internet there are so many programs out there that help in the design process. I have been using one of these programs for years since it was especially helpful when I was making up flyers for children’s events I would co-host for church functions. There was always a certain look I wanted, as well as a certain level of professionalism, and I always seem to get it when in this program. So I wasn’t surprised when I was getting it again with my new endeavors.

Before you start to wonder if this is an ad for design programs, it’s not. I just love the feeling of trying something new and realizing it opens up some corner of your brain that you didn’t know was closed. In the world I currently reside in, there is a lot of structure and schedules. This is not bad, actually it is quite necessary when kids and a husband are involved. Most of the time though our nights are the same thing: dinner, clean up, share about our days, then it’s off to do our own things. When listed out like this it seems quite boring, but we are a busy family and the time we spend together is cherished. All too often though the phone comes out and the “scrolling” starts to happen, so one day after I had spent way to much time looking at cute baby cows and working dogs actually working I decided to make a change.

In my family if someone initiates change people follow along. Take for example one night I put my phone down, grabbed a coloring book and some colored pencils and I sat at the table and started to color. About 15 minutes later my son came out with some paints and a canvas, and my oldest daughter got out her Perler beads and started organizing them. We got to talking and soon we realized that the time flew by. So when I started to design things like t-shirts, phone cases and tote bags I started to ask for my family’s opinions. I then started to have them send me photos so I could try and do some designing with them. My new “hobby” is far from perfect but I am able to use my brain and my abilities instead of going dead to the world by scrolling.

The act of creating is amazing. It’s a rush of endorphins when you get the right look or you find a new tool that helps you design better. It’s even more of a jump in the “happy juices” when someone takes what you have made and loves it. I am excited to keep creating, I am excited to keep sharing what I created (Joyfully Living Goods). This new hobby won’t define me but it will be something that helps me be the person I am. If you have something you have been putting off because it may be “too much work” or you are “too busy”, I say change your priorities. Try something new, it could be something that you love and you wished you would have started sooner. Until next time:

A champion is someone who shows up and puts in the work, no matter how the odds are stacked against them.

Rich Froning