August 19--Frustration ==> Learning

Instead of seeing frustration as a hindrance, it’s time to recognize it for what it is: a sign that you’re acquiring a new skill. The more we understand that the frustration and struggle is actually a sign we’re learning, not a sign we’re doing something wrong, it becomes a lot easier to tolerate.  --Dr. Becky Kennedy

    You can click on her name to read the article via Upworthy.com. 

    This idea is acting itself out via the current large painting project lying near me on the table. There have been several instances of painting-over-that because I was frustrated with how it turned out. My first go-to is "well, I failed at that," but in all instances, the unsatisfactory result led me to learn something else. There has definitely been more frustration with this painting than any other I've done, but I have also learned more. 

    I consider myself to be wretched at drawing. However, one of the tricks I learned with this painting is to draw what I want to paint with chalk. It's easy to clean off and redo, and one can paint right over it. I used this to draw a prominent feature of this painting, which enabled me to successfully paint the item on my first try. 

    Seeing frustration as a sign of learning relieves a lot of angst.

        Leta

Mural, Christchurch, New Zealand