Last week I had midterms for my pattern design class and I had to design a dress and then make it and present it to my class. The night before as I was finishing up the dress I designed I was so proud of myself, I kept thinking, "I'm doing it! I'm desigining!" And then the next day as everyone presented their designs I kept sinking lower and lower in my chair knowing that my dress was NOTHING special compared to all of the other designs. I really started to get down on myself. My sister and I talked over some ice cream sundae midterm therapy later that day and as I was telling her how dumb I felt presenting my project compared to everyone else she stopped me mid sentence and told me,
Michelle: "Sarah, you realize this was the very first time you've ever designed anything right, a lot of these people have been doing this their whole lives. Did you work hard on your project?"
Me: "Well yeah."
Michelle: "Then be proud of what you did and stop comparing yourself, you just completed your first design! I mean you just learned how to sew a year and a half ago! Just keep pushing your limits and working hard!"
Oh the wisdom of my dear Me-Chelle. She was so right. I was so caught up in what everyone else was doing and comparing myself that I missed out on seeing the beauty in what I had accomplished for myself. Was it the best design in the class? Hells no. Was it perfectly executed? Hells no. But I'm so proud of my very first design, and that I'm doing hard things.
It can be so hard to learn new things, you feel vulnerable, and lacking ALL OF THE STINKING TIME. I can't tell you the amount of times that I call my teacher over to ask her some ridiculous question to which she looks at me like, "Have you ever even seen clothes before?!" But it's such a great lesson to learn, that when you work hard and throw yourself into your work, beautiful things can happen. I've learned that it's through the process of being vulnerable and mold-able that you learn who you really are.
21 comments:
So cute I love the color of your lipstick!
www.nightchayde.blogspot.com
i have been enjoying your blog for a few months now. this post was so perfect for me right now... thanks for sharing.
I totally know how you feel being discouraged because maybe you don't have as much experience. Thanks for sharing. I love your outfit by the way.
Carlee
Almost Endearing
You can do it! Don't feel bad! You have a great eye for fashion! You'll get there and don't let anybody make you feel that you won't
I hope we get to see your design on here soon!
patternedlove.blogspot.com
Thanks for sharing this post!
I love your booties!
Your sister is so right girl!!! So happy for you, and I give you so much props lady!!! I cannot wait to see all of your designs, Everything I have seen on here, you are SOOO talented!!!
High fives and cheers to you, you go girl!!!
xo Dinah @ sunshine super glam
I hate when teachers stare you down for asking "obvious" questions. My photo teacher does that all the time... It does make me feel lacking! But I've learned to deal with her craziness and now all of us students make fun of her on a daily basis.
Girl what a great lesson! I often say, "As long as I am better today than yesterday, that's what really matters." I say it to others and myself. I can't really help that other people are way more advanced than I am. But I CAN help being a little bit better today than yesterday. Thanks for this sweet reminder. <3
so inspirational! thank you!
I'm not a designer (and never will be), but I feel that with all skills, you have to start and develop SOMEWHERE. You have started and you're learning and that's awesome. Don't worry about other people. And your outfit is really cute!
Good thing your sister is living with you! Where would you have gotten that wisdom otherwise?! Haha. But seriously, you are amazing and I think we all need to work on comparing less! It is so hard not to sometimes but it's definitely something I need to work on!
Your seeester is wise. Learn good technique and get a good base, the rest will come. It's not all about the craziest design (though in design school it feels like it but trust me!!! that calms down in the real world), it's more about having a good eye, the wearabilty and the ability to edit. You'll be awesome!
That was one of my biggest problems in design classes in college. I tended to compare myself to others, which is exactly what a designer shouldn't do. I'm glad you managed to see your situation as a success...having that outlook will just lead to bigger and better successes! :)
2ndhand Knowledge: A Style Blog
So, so true and such a good reminder. I hope you feature your design soon! I'd love to see it!
I love this post, I always compare myself to others too. It's nice your sister helped you see how far you had come :).
P.s. That outfit is super cute, I love the pop of mustard yellow and your red lips :).
Rachael xx.
http://theteacozykitchen.blogspot.co.uk/
Oh I'm so so glad that you're doing this! I feel this way sometimes too, for sure. I can't wait to see what you're working on lady!
Cat
catgotdressed.blogspot.com
You are so gorgeous! You can rock the red lipstick :-) Those boots are perfect for this look too!
-Mia
www.msmiamaree.com
Those ankle boots are ah-may-zing!
Shannon
http://GBOfashion.com
HI, lovely! I'm a costume design grad student, and I feel like this all the time. The crazy ironic thing is that the rest of the first years feel like I'm the strongest in our grad class, while I usually feel like my designs don't even compare. We are hardest on ourselves.
I didn't learn how to sew until I started undergrad, and I was designing, draping, and stitching period garments by the time I graduated. You are going to be amazing because you have such an eye for great design.
Don't hold yourself back!
I absolutely love your outfit! The brown accents are amazing and your jacket is AH-mazing.
And just keep pushing yourself girl because you are doing something that you LOVE, so just keep working hard. And I hope that you can show off your dress via the blog! :)
xoxo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/
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