Saturday, May 09, 2026

The Saturday Morning Post: Try Something New

Learning a new media, or skill spurs creativity. There is something about being a beginner, that gives us an excuse to try, in ways that we rapidly become ashamed of trying unless we think we become good at the new thing.  The most creative people tend to be serial explorers always trying something new, always a beginner at something. If they stick with it, and practice, practice, practice, they will become good at many things. But even if they don't, they benefit from the experience. 

Trying new things, builds the library in our mind ideas and ways of doing things that our brains then apply to other things.  I learned about color theory from blending paints - not from art classes and color wheels.  I learned about texture from failed attempts to learn to knit. I learned about negative space exploring block printing.  There are tools and supplies for many artforms in my art cart. My bookcase and reading lists are packed with diverse ideas, that fuel my writing. 

Take a flying leap, give it a try, pick up tools and materials, take a class, select a book on something you know nothing about. It will expand your mind and your creativity. 
 

I am on a digital detox. This post was written ahead of time and scheduled to appear today. I have not missed posting at least once per day in over a decade. While on this detox, I will not have internet access many days, when I do have access it will be limited. Please continue to leave comments, but I may not reply to comments. I will read comments when I can. Normal service will resume in late May. 

14 comments:

  1. My father was a teacher who told his kids, and showed his kids, that you never stop learning. School is always in session.

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    1. Eyes wide open, try something new

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  2. I'm a serial explorer too and a big believer in Beginner Mind. I love having a new passion to learn about and practice! Most are artistic or intellect-based but hell, I even gave golf my best shot once.

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  3. Good advice. Not always easy to do.

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  4. You and I have gone about the same amount of time without missing posting each day! My last "incomplete" year was 2014, which looks like it was the case for you too. (As I recall I was traveling and couldn't post from everywhere.) You've posted more overall, though, as it looks like sometimes you post multiple times and I only ever post once. Anyway, interesting.

    I love trying new things, generally, as long as it's something I'm interested in.

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    1. I think it was laugh in that used the phrase, try it you will like it.

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    2. Also conjures up images of the Pepto-Bismol TV commercial of the poor guy sitting on the edge of his bed in the middle of the night "Try it, you'll like it" "Thought I was going to die."

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    3. I can't believe I ate the whole thing, you ate it.

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  5. Lately, I've been trying new things at work. The world of IT is changing constantly. It's sometimes hard to keep up with it all.

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    1. Often it worked better before the improvement

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  6. Your organisational skills are fantastic David. Not many bloggers could plan ahead as efficiently as you have done - with scheduled blogposts all lined up. Most impressive young man.

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    1. I plan ahead, a failure to plan, is. Planning to fail

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