MAKE STUFF

I am not artistic in the traditional sense of the word. Can’t sing my way out of a bag. I’ve picked up the guitar a few times over the years and just can’t seem to figure it out. And I am as un-crafty as you can imagine: can’t paint, can’t draw. When I had a 3D art class in college, I almost burned my hand off using an industrial strength glue gun. It wasn’t until I found the Drama department that I started figuring it all out. From there, writing and video production were natural next steps. I took several years away from creative writing, but producing nonfiction videos, working in journalism and similar pursuits have been constant sources of enjoyment for me since before I was married. Having that escape where you can express an aspect of yourself in some way is so important. Maybe it’s with food and cooking. Maybe woodworking is your undiscovered passion. (That’s gonna be an expensive one, unfortunately) The important thing is to find some way that you can create. Take raw materials and make something special. It doesn’t even matter if it’s good. At first, it will probably be terrible, if we’re being honest. But keep at it. Practice. Study. Explore. You’ll be glad you did when you give your grandkids a special gift that you made with your own hands one day.