Too Many Possibilities!!

 

 

Too Many Possibilities!!

The black italicized remarks are copied from googling/AI and my comments are in color:

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Having too many creative outlets, or "multi-creativity," is a blessing that can lead to "creative overload" or the "paradox of abundance," where overwhelming possibilities create stagnation. This is my situation, creative overload and then I do what I am doing right now. I write about the dilemma instead of tackling the project at hand. I google weaving looms instead of weaving, I google writing classes instead of writing. I go down “rabbit holes,” one by one.

Philosophy on this topic emphasizes using structured constraints, such as time-blocking or focusing on one project at a time, to transition from overwhelming ideas to meaningful output. Amen! Focus on one project at a time. Create output! Currently, I should be weaving and using my new looms, new yarns, new buttons, new “bells and whistles.” Rotate through my interests determined by needs and opportunities.

The "Regret Minimization" Framework: To choose between projects, imagine your future self at retirement and consider which, if left undone, would cause the most regret. Very interesting as I am and have been in retirement for years. I would most regret if I didn’t pursue weaving and harp playing. That is how I feel today (January 21, 2026). I have been given an opportunity to focus since so many “unfinished projects” no longer exist. I am feeling free and in the process of narrowing my options. I must not take on new hobbies but methodically work on each loom I now have and expand my social outings to include weaving and working with other fiber artists. 

Practical Philosophical Approaches:

• Structure and Flow: Use "calibrated creative constraint" to limit choices and focus energy. Calibrated Creative Constraint! What a marvelous phrase. I shall write it, read it, believe it, do it!!!

• Seasonal Focus: Embrace that artistic focus moves in seasons; intense interest in one area should be followed, even if it means neglecting others temporarily. I shall “neglect others” but alas, that is difficult to accomplish. For example, my desire to experience contemplative photography includes the acquisition of a new beautiful mirrorless camera. I cannot not pursue that interest.

• Intentional Output: Move from just having ideas to having a "system" to manage them, recognizing that you can only do one thing at a time. A system in order to focus - like giving a time schedule for each “idea?” 

• The "Unifying Umbrella": Treat multiple, seemingly unrelated outlets as part of a single, multifaceted personal brand or creative identity. I really like this option. I can experience my weaving, I write about it and implement my contemplative photography interest by taking photos that will inspire my weaving. 

• Write, Weave, Wander with a camera. Collect my ideas and structure them into a weaving with words! 

Key Takeaway: The goal is to move from being a "dilettante" (dabbling in many things) to a "multi-passionate expert" (mastering several things over a lifetime) by using structure to manage the overwhelming, yet beautiful, flow of ideas.  “Multi-passionate expert” - don’t you just love that label. The expert part is a bit overwhelming so perhaps I can be a “multi-passionate hobbyist.” 

Let’s meditate on the proper noun.