Crisis

[Docupton]

I think I am going through a crisis, I have cut a lot just lately and now when I look up the garden towards my workshop I feel dread, I don't want to go there, I have no motivation left but have orders to fulfil, I need a quick fix, anyone got one please.

[Multifasited]

That's called Scrollers Block ,caused by lack of desire to creat something you really don't care about ,I Got it years ago ,so now I only do what interests and excites me ,to go through all the work ,because I want to ! And it only has to make sence to me ,the rest ain't much fun ,You have to love the all mighty dollar or the show experience to let it take over your hobby and make it your ,I Gotta get it done by ,I promiced too ,I have a deposit ,& . Too much for me ,been there done that ,not my thing any more ,I threw away both the tee shirt and the hat ! Maybe I'm Just getting too old and senile ! It's only good as long as you like it ,and are willing do it and still enjoy it ! It only has to makes sence to you , GOD bless -Good luck - Follow your in-stinks !      

[Scrolling Steve]

Doc, That is a tough spot to be in!......My advice is this.........Do what you said you would do...Suck it up and just do it because you have to! Then take as long a break as you need. This great hobby of ours is supposed to be fun and relaxing, so take some time off after you fill your  orders.......Until you want to do something for yourself.  Good luck!

[Bendita]

Well now you done it, you've turned something that is so precious to all of us into a thing called work. All the fun has come out of it and you feel the need to turn a dollar. There is only one cure that comes to mind and that would be try and make something for yourself, something you would enjoy. Get out of your shop for a day if you can cause the feeling will get worse. I've gone through that feeling you describe and I know its not fun but you should really take a break. If you don't the fun of scrolling will disappear and your quality will go downhill. Well I'm sure you can figure out what happens when the quality goes down the customers go with it.

Hope you get over this slump fast but I don't think there is a quick fix. 

[amazingkevin]

There's up's and down's,good days and bad day's,one day at a time !Read a little from the good book.Things will change,The devils best tool against  us is discouragement,Fight the good fight!!!You will win!!!!

[Rob Roy]

Hi Doc, sorry to hear of your dilemma, and I have to agree with Carl, Steve Hans, and Kevin. I was in a similar situation to you some years ago and became depressed with it all. So finish off the orders you have,(difficult as it may be), and take a break. We all like the bucks coming in, but you have to take stock, is it a business or a hobby??. I decided it was a HOBBY, to enjoy at  my own  pace, not having to pander to the needs of people looking for things on the cheap. I just give things away. Start making things YOU like when YOU like and how YOU like. Don't get stuck in the rut of making all things for all folks. I was a pro in the woodworking trade for more years than I care to remember. That was nose to the grindstone stuff but when I think back, I now have a HOBBY that I USED to get PAID for, so Doc keep it as a hobby. Hope this helps in some way Doc. Don't let it get you down, you keep your chin up.

Please take care.

Rob Roy.

[Jumpjet1127]

The pressure of it all to get orders done in a certain time has got to you, you are the only one who can get your self out of this situation , God helps those who help them selves, so give your self a good talking to and get those orders out of the way you will feel so much better then, then get inspired to do something for yourself you will enjoy it again as you will have no pressure put on you. Linda

[bobscroll]

Doc I suggest you go Bungee jumping, Sky-diving!  then come home and have a nice little cup of tea

and relax  and all will be different the next day,

Bob 

[Kragax]

I had a similar experience. I used to love photography it was my art, painting with light. Then I started doing wedding photography.

It was good money but it ruined it form me. After a few years of that I didn't touch a camera for several years. I play with it now as a minor hobby but it took a while to get back to where I am for sure. The pressure of commercial work took the fun away. Now I carve signs as a business, but I'm learning to scroll for a hobby. 

[Phantom Scroller]

Doc cancel the orders go back to bed. Tomorrow start some home brew in the workshop. SORTED. Roly

[heppnerguy]

His is the very reason I don't do craft shows. I did one once and found it made my fun a job. Not worth it to me. I sell things on me Facebook page and then it is only a piece now and then. Helps pay for supplies. That is all I am interested in. Gives me entry of time to make things for the people I care about. Stays as fun. Not enough money in crafts shows to take my fun away.

[browders]

I think you have to keep your eye on the end. Each piece you create puts you that much closer to being done. If you can mark a little progress each time, soon you will find yourself close to the end. I don't make things for sale, but I find i have the same attitude toward exercise. I do it because it's good for me, not because it's fun. While I'm doing my eye is on the clock counting down the minutes till it's over. Once I'm done I enjoy a brief period of satisfaction from having made it through. Day in and day out. Just remember the end of this period is in sight. 

 

Good luck.

 

Jim

[ike]

What I do when I get it this situation is go to the liquor store and buy  a5th of rum  A lime And some coke sit there till I get almost  Three sheets to the wind  go to bed get up in the morning and have a little of the dog that bit you and you will be OK. I know that isn't for every body but it works for me.

[Fish]

That's why I don't sell things either. It would turn into a job and I'd have to get things done according to schedule.  That would destroy the passion. I gave my Lennon, one of the Indians and Arlo Guthrie to my brother who just brought me a bunch of wood. He tried to get me to take $300. I hid it in his glove compartment before he left for Maryland tonight. I'm not in it for the money.

[Savannah Scroller]

I understand what you mean . After I was forced to stopped working because of my back & feet problems I felt that nothing was worth doing so I stopped working in my shop or caring about much of anything. Only in the lat few months did I start wanting to make things again if for no other reason than to give them away. I never will let it feel like work. Now if I could get back into fishing again then my life might get back on track or as much as its going to be.

[Multifasited]

I resemble parts of all of the above ,The Golden yrs. come at a HELL of a PRICE  ,Then I see some youngster with real dis-abilities ,or wounded warriors and think how Blessed I am and always have been ,I quit complaining for a while ,then sorry sneeks back in ,and I need another jolt of REALITY  remembering ,what you still can do ,not what you Can't ! Got to put my big boy pants on and keep them on ! It could be a HELL of a lot WORSE!!

Thank You Lord !!

[Fab4]

Hi Doc

Your crisis seems to be a common one for us scrollers.

We all have our own way of handling it.

Take a few days off, relax, do what you want to do and see

if you can snap out of it

As stated by Bendita - there is no quick fix

You are good at what you do, but when it's not fun anymore

how good are you, really.

Have a great day and hope it all works out for you

Fab4

[wombatie]

Doc were they last minute orders from people if they were give yourself a cut off point were you say no more orders, its their problem then not yours.  If its a pattern that you really do not want to cut leave it till last.  If its general scrolling, take a break and do some gardening or do nothing.  Don't get yourself in a tiz woz remember its your health be it mental or physical that you have to concern yourself about, that comes first.

 

Marg

[ike]

Good advice marg.

[dansnow]

I've been there Doc. When I struggle to fill an order, I usually take a few days off afterwards.  It's one of the reasons I try to avoid custom orders. Making what I want, then if folks want to buy it, great, that's the fun part. But a custom order where I have to try and match a picture the customer has in their head? Not so much. I tend to charge about 25% more for custom orders because the fun level is down and the stress level is up.

[Tdub4ever]

I'm going through the same thing Doc. I have orders from September that were paid for and the people want them for Christmas. Some days I can make myself get in the shop and get something done, most days I can't. I've wasted 2 months because I dread going to the shop. I've turned down a lot of work, telling people I too far behind. It sucks! And now it's crunch time, I have to get these things finished or go out of business, which I don't want to do.

[NC Scroller]

Had this real bad last year..After the Christmas rush it took me about 4-5 months to get my interest back.  Like has already been stated finish up what you have and take a break.  Work on what you want to work on.

[Southern Scroller]

I feel your pain.  That is exactly why I quit doing stained glass.  I loved making stained glass boxes and a few coworkers bought them.  Then word got around and I found myself taking orders and turning out boxes as fast as possible..  I got behind, worked like crazy and burned out.  Now a hobby is a hobby and I won't let it become a business.  I make my puzzles and give them away as I please.   I had a job and retired.  If I still wanted to work I wouldn't have retired.  Scrolling is fun and I want to keep it that way. 

[heppnerguy]

I feel your pain.  That is exactly why I quit doing stained glass.  I loved making stained glass boxes and a few coworkers bought them.  Then word got around and I found myself taking orders and turning out boxes as fast as possible..  I got behind, worked like crazy and burned out.  Now a hobby is a hobby and I won't let it become a business.  I make my puzzles and give them away as I please.   I had a job and retired.  If I still wanted to work I wouldn't have retired.  Scrolling is fun and I want to keep it that way. 

 

That is exactly how I feel about scrolling.. I do not want to make a job out of it as I know I would end up feeling like you do about stained glass. My enjoyment is worth way more than money

 

Dick

heppnerguy

[LarryEA]

I think I am going through a crisis, I have cut a lot just lately and now when I look up the garden towards my workshop I feel dread, I don't want to go there, I have no motivation left but have orders to fulfil, I need a quick fix, anyone got one please.

 Doc, you've had a week of rest...or not. What's happened. Did you take a break?

Are you back or still trudging along?

Well, don't let it affect the holidays. Joy to all you know.