Train of Thought

[curiousb]

It's been a bit quiet around here lately, hasn't it?

This is the reason: I feel like I'm stuck in a complete rut, creating-wise.

I guess it's not really something anyone can help with (unless anyone has some helpful words of wisdom they can share?), but I just feel the need to get it off my chest - so please forgive this minor rant, Friends' List!

See, this is what happens: I get all motivated and enthusiastic about a new project; everything starts well, and for a while I'm motoring along quite happily, making good progress, when suddenly I seem to hit a brick wall. This is usually about the time when I'm trying to put the finishing touches to something - tweaking the final textures, dealing with minor mapping issues, eliminating weird shinyness in-game, etc. I just seem to reach a point where nothing I try to do works as intended, so I get incredibly frustrated with the whole business and decide to put the project on hold for a while. Then I start a new project thinking maybe this time I will actually be able to complete something, and the exact same thing happens.

As a result, I have god knows how many nearly-finished projects lying around that I can't face dealing with, as it just gets me too wound up when I can't resolve the problems that made me put them aside in the first place. Grrrr.

I'm not sure whether this is a case of extreme perfectionism, or just plain lack of skill/ability/talent.

Anyway, suffice to say, I'm heartily fed up with myself - and my projects folder - at the moment. I have so much new stuff I'd like to be able to share, but I just can't get the damn things finished to my satisfaction. Humph.

OK, rant over - I know there are far, far worse problems to have than this - but I just wanted to have a bit of a grumble to the only people who are likely to understand. Now I'm off to make a comforting cuppa.

Comments

[ove]

Just to say I share your feeling. I hope you'll find fun in playing and your inspiration will return. As the others said : not too much perfectionism, asking for help, advices, opinions. But not too much perfectionism : it's important to give the best of yourself but it's supposed to be just a hobby, a game. Even if it's not perfect, people will like it. And people could use it to make new things ... this is part of the fun! But doubting is also part of the process.
You're awesome.
Take care and have fun!

[curiousb]

Thank you, Ove!

I've discovered that quite a few people seem to share my frustrations - creating for Sims obviously attracts perfectionists! And yes, I probably do take it too seriously sometimes, but I just always like to do the best I can. :)

Anyway, I'm feeling a fair bit better now - I've actually managed to finish off a few small projects over the weekend (whilst confined to the sofa with a bad cold), and should be posting them soon.

[ove]

I'm glad to hear that! I also wish I could send you some sun and warmy air cause I have in spare here!!
Get well!!