DIY yourself happy

Something which really helped me to get a grip on my perfectionism was to stop comparing myself to the rest of the world. As difficult as it might sound it is a very long process which you really have to train. For me it was always my mom who was the creative mastermind. Although I really enjoyed having the same hobby like painting, drawing, photoshopping I always ended up in disappointment when I started comparing my results with hers. Even when I tried to seek different hobbies like making jewellery and creating home-made birthday cards I was never satisfied with the result as there was often something better or smarter already out there. By setting the standards too high I also lost the joy of the process and ended up more frustrated as when I started. Such a shame! When I started my treatment to find myself again I started making a list of things I wanted to enjoy again, hobbies and activities which had brought me much joy and happiness in the past. A few example I have already mentioned; creating cards, painting cups, making jewellery. I also wrote a different list of new hobbies I wanted to try in search of my new identity. A selection of these were things like wood burning, deco patching and scrapbooking. I started somewhat forced, doing these hobbies purely to enjoy myself felt very wrong. But step-by-step I started to like spending 'me-time' again! It felt less and less like an obligation by focusing on the positive aspects. Not looking at what went wrong but giving myself a compliment everything I stumbled upon a problem and worked my way around it. For example, when someone closed the door and I jumped up two meter in the air because I was so focused and I messed up my handwriting. I just shaped my mistake into little hearts and spread them all across the letter. The person who received it later told me that she felt very honoured and loved. Furthermore I started looking at the future when I would have gained enough confidence I would start studying again. This meant getting my own room! I started designing all sorts of things which I could bring along the make my room feel like a home. Creating my own pillows, designing my own plates, deco patching my own tea box. Everything started to feel more real. It was a double win as I was focusing on later, thereby creating motivation and a goal. There are so many little projects you can do just for yourself or as a present. Sites like pint rest offer endless possibility; candle light, lamps or sofa's you name it. I have photographed a few of my results to get those creative juices flowing and hopefully inspire you!

For my latest projects please check out my instagram.