I've always been intrigued by the art of pottery. There’s something magical about turning a simple lump of clay into a beautiful and functional piece. The process, which seems both meditative and dynamic, offers a creative outlet that I find very appealing. Yet, despite my interest, I have yet to take a pottery class. The main barrier is time. Finding a few hours weekly to dedicate to learning this craft has been challenging with a busy work schedule and family commitments. Reflecting on this, the advice I would give to my younger self would be simple: prioritize your passions. Life gets busier, and finding time for hobbies becomes more difficult as you get older. It's important to carve out time for activities that bring joy and relaxation. Waiting for the "perfect time" might mean never experiencing the joys and benefits of a fulfilling hobby. In essence, start now, because the perfect time seldom arrives on its own.
I'm an author. I came to the profession because I found (and still find) joy in writing. But if you're thinking of turning your hobby into a profession, you have a big question to ask first. "Do I really want to engage with the market?" Creative writing is about you: liberating your imagination and only pleasing yourself. Writing as a profession means always putting the reader first and, in practice, thinking about what a painfully commercial industry wants. Don't get me wrong. I don't think you have to sell out. On the contrary, books actually get better when you write in that sweet spot where "things I want to write" and "things that publishers want to buy" coincide. But don't fool yourself. No matter what your hobby is, or what your chosen profession might be, the rules change as you go from one to the other. Before you make the leap, just figure out if it's a jump you want to make. [Love a link to: https://jerichowriters.com/our-services/courses-mentoring/ Thanks!]