Motivated! And Then Not

Planning is half the fear.

BY ASHLEY SUDETA

Last month I finally ripped the band-aid off and bought a linocut printing kit. I knew I would enjoy it, but I still spent weeks procrastinating, searching the internet for the best deal on equipment. Somehow, it felt easier to tell myself no—that it was a waste of time and money—than to begin a new hobby. College is advertised as the perfect time for branching out and discovering unknown facets of yourself, but it can feel impossible to actually turn your dreams into action.

There are a lot of smaller steps that must be taken in order to start something new. You may have to find learning sources, buy materials, or meet veterans of the activity. I think the fear of wasting money is one of the clearest obstacles keeping people from taking up new hobbies. College students especially have to consider how much enjoyment they will derive from something before they sink money into supplies or lessons. Another common anxiety that holds people back is the fear they won’t be good at it. To make matters worse, there’s also the worry that others will judge you during these vulnerable learning stages. Even though we know learning is a slow process, we put so much pressure on ourselves to create something beautiful

I believe it’s important we follow through with our ambitions. Hobbies and interests not only enrich our lives but also increase our satisfaction with them. If you’re concerned with spending money, try to find resources that allow you to get your required materials secondhand or rented. Consider borrowing from a friend. Surround yourself with people who support you through both success and failure. Push yourself past that initial motivation and into real action—there’s no other way to get anything done