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The Importance of Being Self-Taught

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This past weekend, I had the pleasure to speak on a blogging panel in Tampa, Florida.  This wasn’t my usual crowd, though.  Instead of wanting to know the tips and tricks to painting or how to put together a unique room, these girls and gals were largely fashion bloggers looking for some insight into the business of blogging.

Talk about a fish out of water!  I can put together a fun room, but I feel like I can barely dress myself.

While I was there, I talked about how much of my life is guided by this inner voice that always says to me, “Why couldn’t I do that, too?” It led me to do things such as graduate from high school in three years, become my college mascot, teach myself to sew and start a blog. Most of these things are not things that I took classes in but are things that I just sat down and figured out myself.

On the airplane on the way home from Tampa, I read a review of the new Jim Henson biography that just came out.  The review mentioned one of my favorite quotes of his:

The importance of teaching yourself how to do something. Via MakelyHome.com

Reading that review was serendipitous to me.  It caused me to think even more about my inner voice and learning things on my own. And since I had a rare few hours of quiet due to sitting on the plane, I thought about it a lot.

I think that being self-taught on at least some things in your life is really important.  It builds your confidence while helping you learn to look for solutions in a more creative manner.  Being self-taught helps you learn from trial and error, so perhaps future problems won’t feel quite so frustrating.

So, today I ask you: What is something that you have taught yourself?  And what would you like to teach yourself in the future?  What is it about these things that make you want to be self-taught?

We’re getting deep today, y’all.  I’m so excited to be inspired by your answers.

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Comments

  1. WendiG says

    I am self taught in so many things, and bet you never thought of this (of course, I could be wrong..)
    I’m left-handed in a right-handed world, and had to teach myself things like crocheting, because everyone around me was right-handed…Now, when people look at my work at Farmers’ Markets, Craft Fairs, etc, they often are confused by my stitches because, as one woman put it, “You don’t do it right…” Nope, I do it left, but it seems to work okay…
    I have taught myself so many things..I am, for whatever reason, what I like to call a Maker …I hate the terms crafter and artist- they are so metaphorically loaded as to be meaningless..and had to learn the ‘hard’ way to do many things..
    Have to agree with Henson..one of the things I did that I enjoyed was write fiction – but went to Uni, did English Lit, wrote my face off academically for years, and came out with a jaundiced eye…never to write fiction again…TMI really can be a buzz kill!

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  2. Jamie says

    I taught myself how to sew and quilt. I saw something I wanted and I made it. My latest self-taught project was a patchwork quilt on the diagonal. I might not do it exactly right, but it works for me and I feel good about the things I create.

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  4. Kristin says

    Your insight was invaluable. In an industry that sometimes relies too much on inspiration from others…it was refreshing to hear someone encourage us to create our own inspiration! As a small business owner with a small budget, I’ve had to teach myself so much and I’m grateful for the life experience it’s given me. I have so much less fear than I used to!

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  5. Marcy says

    In fifth grade I taught myself calligraphy wrote the names on awards certificates for school for years. I taught myself how to french braid on my own head (hello sore arms!). I also learned how to weave friendship bracelets by taking apart the ones my friends gave me (I didn’t want them to know I didn’t know how to do it). Then I learned how to braid with four strands after hours and hours of trial and error.

    As an adult, I’ve taught myself many things. I taught myself how to use Photoshop years ago when it used to make me cry (ha!). Now I can ‘shop it with the best of ’em. My latest endeavor is teaching myself HTML coding. I’m currently building my website from the ground up, coding everything by hand. What a great learning experience!

    I’m also left-handed and have had to teach myself how to do many things so I could survive in a right-handed world.

    Good post and great site!

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  6. Marilee Taylor says

    Having been very independent all my life, I’ve been the owner and sole employee of a home based embroidery business for almost 20 years. Not liking to ask for help much I have had to teach myself many skills. I’ve learned to do some basic repair and maintenance on my machines. Learned many computer programs in digitizing and graphic design and I’ve acquired basic bookkeeping and accounting skills.
    With my newest venture as co-owner of an e-commerce website I’ve been learning some basic website building and maintenace and also the continuously changing world of SEO.
    Jim Henson has always been one of my heroes. I’ve always loved the Muppets and puppets in general, I was glad to hear a biography has come out. I will have to go find a copy.
    I like your outlook and wish you luck with all.

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  7. Rebekah says

    I was at the blogger conference you spoke at last weekend and just now read this post. I couldn’t agree more with teaching yourself and the benefits that lie within that mind frame. I taught myself how to paint and became a professional scenic painter for theater and film. Taught myself how to sew and am now running a small business and while this is my second career and I’m struggling to make ends meet I swear I wouldn’t have it any other way! It’s nice to be proud of yourself and take pride in the work you do. Thanks for sharing your insight with us. And we didn’t think you were a fish out of water- we look up to you as a model of what we’d like to be. =) ~Rebekah

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  8. Liz says

    Loved the post. What a great attitude. Not only is it what pushes you forward, it’s also what keeps you young. My motto is, “I’ll try anything once… within reason.” I have found that if it involves technology and I am having trouble learning it, it’s time to go ask a third grader.

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