I was staying with my parents in Atlanta recently, I notice they have a different approach to meals. When they want a certain type of food, they go out and buy it. I’m talking the good stuff: chips, Caribbean, friend chicken, plantain. My mouth watering just thinking about it.
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In a prior season of my life, I did this often when time was more limited than my money. Right now I’m adopting new habits that facilitate saving and investing for the future in small ways. Now, I use what I have before purchasing something new.
Since my approach conflicts with their habits, I found myself telling my mom a few times, We already have that, why are you buying more?
I was shaking my head internally (emoji) for all of about 30 seconds before my conscience spoke to me, But isn’t that what you do with your creative projects?
I was quickly humbled as I recounted how many stories I get all excited about at the idea phase. I write the sketch of idea and maybe even the outline at record speed. But then the roadblock comes. I get bored. Or I get frustrated in the middle that I haven’t figured out the structure. So I’m over it and on to the next idea before ever completing the first. Sometimes I abandon the story all together.
How is that different from ordering a family meal from KFC, eating a few bites, and then letting the rest waste because I don’t like leftovers. (Side note: No shade to those who do not like leftovers. I understand some people only like their food fresh. I am not that person, but I respect it. This is just an analogy.)
Or different from looking in the fridge, and instead of finding a recipe for the ingredients I already have, I order out because I simply don’t want to go through the process to cook.
My habit has been creatively, I “take a bite” or get a fresh idea, do a little work crafting, then let it lay, never finishing.
With food that can result in a lot of wasted food and money. As an artist, it means I have a lot of half-finished and in processed ideas with nothing completed. Both leave a feeling of dissatisfaction.
Since I understand it with something the practicality of a fridge, I know I can apply to my creative projects. With God at my side, I can change. I can do this.
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And you can too! Do you notice you do this in other areas of your life? Perhaps not creative, but around the house, with finances, relationships. Finishing and completing is a mark of maturity.
“It is better to finish something than to start it…”
Ecclesiastes 7:8
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