failure & creativity

Blogs are funny little things. I think a lot of people who read blogs assume there is very little failure behind the glossy, bright, pretty images that end up on the main page. Maybe some people are just that good, but I can tell you that I am not one of them. You might see a lot of “pretty” here but behind every success there is usually a failed prototype that got me heading in the right direction. My best work leaves behind a trail of failure. I am not afraid to fail. I’m eager to learn how I can make something better so I do not fail. But I haven’t always been this way. It has taken many years, two wonderful therapists and a very tolerant husband to help me combat what was a Type A, perfectionist personality that was so strong it was inhibiting my ability to cope with failure. I was paralyzed by the fear of it. But that was then. This is now. These days (thank heavens) failure is just part of how I learn.

image source: The Obsessive Imagist, as found on pinterest.

Last night I had a big fail in my kitchen. I mean f-bomb laden, mess everywhere, needing an entire outfit change EPIC FAIL. It was not pretty. But it was real and raw and although frustrating, I am sill not done with the stupid ice cream recipe that I have struggled with two times now. I am dead set on getting it right. I will not give up. It was ugly, but I am not giving up. But why? Why not walk away & do something I am good at instead? It sure would be much easier that way. But what fun is that.

I remember all of those times that I was sick to my stomach on test day, worried I was going to fail. I remember all those AP English tests with Ms. Sabatini where I had to walk into class & when given a blank sheet of paper, come up with the entire week’s vocab list, in order, with the verbatim definition. I remember getting an A- on the final exam in her class because I used the word “flourish” to describe flowers in a vase. Surely cut flowers could not flourish, she explained. It was the failures that I remember. The vocabulary words I got wrong. It was everything that I did not know that I am meticulous about now. I was a Communication major. Not a Communications major. Communications people fix telephone pole wires. Didn’t make that mistake twice to my business professor in college. Do you remember the failures? or the successes? Maybe it’s the plague of being a Type A personality, but I am much more apt to remember success following a failure.

So what? Why do we care? Well, I was making linen flowers & listening to a TED talk on my iPhone by Sir Ken Robinson (one of my new favorite people.) He addressed why schools are killing creativity & how to handle talking about failure with our children. I found the talk to be so insightful that I started to listen to more of his lectures–he is so full of wisdom that I wanted to share. This is definitely worth watching (or listening to while doing dishes). I hope you enjoy it as much as I have:

Hi! Hello! I am Shawna, the founder of Styleberry Blog. This creative corner of the internet has become a learning haven for moms and creatives, offering a warm and encouraging nudge to those who wish to be better and do better, but often don't know where to start. From Decorating to DIY to Diapers and Paleo-ish Dishes, I strive to make the complicated simple and empower women to take action beyond their personal comfort zone. I subscribe to the Shine Theory & so strongly believe that we shine when the women around us shine and mutual support—lifting up instead of tearing down--will always be the culture here. Are you in? I hope so! Beyond the computer, I run Styleberry Creative where I work with clients to create low fuss, high function spaces that are pretty and practical in San Antonio, Texas and beyond. I LOVE making a house a home. My own studs out renovation is now complete and I am now back to working with clients. Please don't hesitate to drop me a line if you'd like to work together! I hope you’ll join me on this fun new adventure! Xo.

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