First of all let me say how brilliant it was to take part in the Valentine’s day blog parties. Absolutely fantastic. I had such a great time both visiting other blogs and meeting new people who came here for the first time. I’d like to say thank you to both Lesley and Kathryn for taking the time to organise the parties.

But I must admit something else. The parties were also good for me because the many positive comments people took the trouble to post here propped me up. I felt somehow validated. You see, I am my number one saboteur.  I’m always extremely critical of what I do, be it writing or crafting—so much so, in fact, that I find it impossible to call what I make ‘art.’

Worse, this excessive criticism all too often pushes me into inaction. In other words, I’d rather not do anything than fail. Oh, I know that if don’t do, I am never going to achieve—but somehow the concept doesn’t seem to sink in.

Which is why it is very good for me that this week The Next Chapter, a book blog reading and exploring the Twelve Secrets of Highly Creative Women,  is all about sabotage and how to deal with it. Many of the other people who follow the blog, including Collage Diva Kathryn Antyr, have posted their own tips, and I am picking up quite a few useful strategies. I don’t know how well I’ll be able to implement them all because I am so very very good at self-sabotage. But I know two things:

1. I really want to change my attitude because otherwise I won’t achieve anything in life

and

2. comments from like-minded people help hugely. So please, keep them coming!

PS: I finally gave my paper doll lady a gallant.