Do what you enjoy because you enjoy it

[firecat]

I'm posting this because I'm a supporter of the notion of doing what you enjoy even if you're not talented at it and don't have a goal of becoming objectively "good" at it. And I agree that people's art (and other activities) getting graded and ranked from kindergarten on is part of what makes people back away from activities they aren't talented at.

I'm less thrilled by the part of the article that says the reason you should do this is because studies show it's psychologically beneficial or leads to personal growth or Albert Einstein used it to solve problems or being "passive consumers" is morally bankrupt. That's substituting one expert-provided viewpoint for another.

"You Don't Have to Be Good at Art to Benefit from an Artistic Hobby" by Casey Lesser at Artsy

Comments

[oursin]

It's a bit like those articles bigging up reading, because it's Good For You and will make you a Better Person. Aaaaargh. Not because it's pleasurable or fun.

But you're not the only one

[ng_moonmoth]

I get the impression you're much more aligned with this. It springs from a community that is focused on sharing one's creations with others, and appreciates and encourages those who do, no matter the perceived quality of the creation or its presentation.

[alexcat]

Doing artsy things for the sheer fun of it is the best! I need to do mor eof it!

[which_chick]

If I only did the things I was objectively "good" at, I'd have a lot fewer things to be doing. *sigh*

[cjsmith]

Truth! I probably wouldn’t do anything at all. :)

[firecat]

So would we all!

[silveradept]

There are a lot of things I get anxious about doing because of that "good" judgment, and I thoroughly blame the rankings and grading and comparing for that reticence.

I would rather do things that I enjoy and produce useful successes out of them.