Can’t Keep Up With Practice? A Deeper Look at Why.

The question I'm asked most frequently — how do I find time for consistent practice?

Not surprising that it’s the biggest concern or struggle with calligraphy learners. We’re motivated to learn and improve, and the only way to do so is to keep practising.

Everyone knows that. But why is it so hard to keep up with practice?

I could ramble on with a list of tips and hacks.

Build a habit. Make it obvious, attractive, easy and satisfying.

Leave your supplies out so you can start immediately.

Set a scheduled block of time in your calendar.

Aim for 5 minutes. (You often end up doing more.)

Or heck, just practise for 5 minutes. No one said practice has to be an hour.

In fact, I wrote a blogpost previously explaining these tips. I still stand by all of them.

If you haven’t already done so, try them out and let me know what you think!

But recently I’ve been thinking… these are just tips to motivate us into taking action. (The motivation cycle is a whole other topic to delve into.)

What if all these tips and hacks, even carrots and sticks, can’t help you in keeping up with practice?

Maybe it requires looking deeper into yourself. Do you really want to practise?

When I keep putting off a task endlessly, it’s usually because:

1. I’m avoiding some type of emotion e.g. fear, shame, discomfort, agitation.

2. It’s not my priority i.e. I don’t want to do it after all.

Maybe you’re subconsciously avoiding practice because of some emotion? It could be fear from some feedback that you’ve received, or agitation that you don’t see any improvement.

Try looking at the situation objectively as a third person. It’s normal to avoid negative emotions, but sometimes I just push my way through.

And if you really don’t want to do it right now? Then don’t.

Maybe you’re in a different season of life right now where calligraphy is a lower priority. Maybe you’ve realised calligraphy is not for you anymore. It’s okay to strike it off your to do list.

Afford yourself some grace and forgiveness. It’s okay to simply… not practise.

Continue with what you find important at this moment, and chase down what makes you happy. Calligraphy or not. ♥️

This was first published in my email newsletter, 💌 Curious Letters, where I share tips and stories about calligraphy.

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