[dropcap]H[/dropcap]ave you ever thought that you don’t have much to offer the world? I know that I have. As a child and throughout my teenage years, I was always a little envious of people who had that one obvious talent – something they shone at.
I think part of me longed for that kind of clarity, I would know what I was meant to do with my life and I could box myself into a little niche with everyone knowing my ‘thing’. All neat and tidy.
‘No potential employer would get beyond the Interests section of my CV as after 10 pages he/she would die of boredom.’
Instead I experimented with loads of hobbies, from ballet to piano (in my childhood years – don’t panic), even achieving my RYA level 2 in dinghy sailing aged 14! But it didn’t stop there, I carried on trying out new things right through my twenties and thirties. It became a little joke between the OH and I, that no potential employer would get beyond the ‘Interests’ section of my CV as after 10 pages, he/she would die of boredom!
The problem was, none of those interests lasted long (did I tell you about the sewing machine that made a few pairs of curtains and a roman blind only to gather dust for the next 8 years?) meaning that I never actually became very good at any of them.
There’s a story in the bible that talks about the master giving out talents to his workers (FYI the master is God and the workers are us humans) and that the master wanted to see what each worker would do with said talents, whether he would bury them, or use them to the best of his ability.
Based on this bible story, surely exploring loads of different hobbies is a good thing? How else do you find your talent?
What I’ve realised is this: there’s nothing wrong with trying things, exploring new hobbies, working out what you enjoy and are good at, as long as you’re not only doing it because you want to be an expert or because you want other people to notice you.
‘Whilst you *might* stumble upon your life’s passion, most of us will just pick up a few new talents.’
I think for a while that was my motive, I was constantly on a quest to find that one thing that I was going to be really good at. If I didn’t shine early on, then I gave up. What I’ve since realised, is that whilst you might stumble upon your life’s passion, most of us will just pick up a few new talents and if we inspire someone else along the way, then great!
As I’ve got older, probably only in the last 5 years actually, I’ve learnt to enjoy the process, to accept that I may never be an expert at anything but I’m game to try a lot of things and just enjoy them for what they are.
The truth is, I’ll never be a world renowned interior designer but I love to create a Pinterest board and see it come to life in my own home.
I won’t strut my stuff on a catwalk (let’s not go there with all the credentials I am lacking) but I do enjoy trying out some of the latest high street fashion whilst maybe inspiring another 40-something mum on Instagram, to get out of her comfort zone and love herself more.
There’s no way on this earth that I will be seen on your TV screens any time soon (and wouldn’t want to be) but entertaining people and building community brings me joy, so Instagram stories is my new ‘jam’.
I am unlikely to ever write a best-selling novel or even get to number 1 on the HIBS100 chart (you’d have to be a blogger to know what I’m taking about!) BUT I am loving my little space on the internet more and more and if my words resonate, inspire or entertain only one person, it’s worthwhile.
I would hate to leave this world having not really explored any of the ‘talents’ God has placed inside of me. I’ve talked before about not putting myself out there for fear of what others might think or because I might fail or because there are other people who are better than me (for the record, this will always be the case) yada yada yada.
‘He created me for a reason, not just as an experiment to see if He could do a better job next time!’
But you know what? The older I get, the more lame an excuse I think that is. I do have something to offer the world (as do you) and suggesting that I don’t, is actually an insult to God – He created me for a reason, not just as an experiment to see if He could do a better job next time!
So here are my four encouragements to you…
- Don’t be held back by your age, whether you think you’re too old to try something new (you aren’t) or you think you’re too young to be taken seriously (says who?).
- Explore something you’re drawn to and see where it takes you.
- Don’t give up because you’re not an expert in 5 minutes *cough*, just enjoy it.
- Absolutely never count yourself out as talentless.
And because it seems to suit this post, along with the small fact that I am obsessed with The Greatest Showman, I’ll leave you with this little gem.
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9 COMMENTS
Sarah MumofThree World
6 years agoLove this! This is yet another one of those instances where you and I differ greatly. I’ve had hobbies, but they’ve lasted a long time and I’ve never been bothered about being good at things.
I did karate for 10 years when I was young, horse riding for maybe 4 years as a child, ballet for 4 years as a child (I was beyond dreadful). I started running 24 years ago and I’ve never looked back. I’ve been reading books since I was 6 and I discovered my love of blogging in 2011. Those are my three hobbies, the things I do for me and I don’t need anything else! I’ve got ‘not bad’ at running after all those years, but that’s as good as I’ll every be and I’m happy with that.
I do enjoy your IG Stories – it’s something I’m not brave enough to do – and it’s great that you’re making your blog work for you and other 40+ ladies.
Suzanne
6 years agoI think part of me thought, what’s the point unless I’m *really* good? Now I’ve got much more used to the idea of just enjoying it for what it is and not stressing about where it’s going to take me. I’m really surprised that you don’t do Insta stories as you seem so confident in many areas of life. x
Plutonium Sox
6 years agoOh gosh, I’m just like you. I always want to be good at things and I’m demoralised if I’m not but I’ve ended up being a jack of all trades and master of none. I wish I was good at something!
Nat.x
Suzanne
6 years agoYep me too Nat but I’m coming round to the idea that being a jack of all trades is actually okay. I think that’s how I’m made. But you’re brilliant at blogging! Sometimes I think we just don’t see in ourselves what others see. We are far too hard on ourselves! x
Gail
6 years agoLove this Suzanne! I can relate to it with the kids too. My son starts clubs and then loses interest in them, it doesn’t bother us though – he has plenty of time to find out what he likes. I too am obsessed with the Greatest Showman. We saw it last weekend and since then the songs have been on repeat all day! Xx
Suzanne
6 years agoI’m trying to wean myself off the songs Gail because I can’t get to sleep at night for singing them! x
Lizzie Woodman
6 years agoSo true! Every new experience teaches us so much – even if we don’t realise it at the time. It’s totally ok to move onto new things and keep evolving. P.S I also have a sewing machine gathering dust…
Suzanne
6 years agoHa ha so you’re pretty familiar with this lifestyle then?! There must be redundant sewing machines in every home across Britain I’m sure 😉
Rhian
6 years agoI’m really a bit late leaving a comment as I’m new to this blog but WOW this is me! My husband is always laughing at the new hobbies I try and I constantly strive to find my ‘thing’. In fact I think it has left me having confidence issues (not only the hobby thing obviously)! The one thing that has helped me find purpose and reason behind my massive inability to stick at something is my faith! Faith came last year very suddenly (I was an atheist) and shocked me but gave me so much hope and new found calm! I’m so new to faith that I’m a little obsessed with how others live with a faith, it’s so awesome to me ?