So lately I

Chatterbox: Chirp at Cricket

So lately I

So lately I have been in a kind of summer slump. I really want to try new things and do new stuff. I've been trying to learn how to juggle (don't judge! xD) and I'm kind of into card tricks...but these things are getting old, seeing as I've been doing both - or trying to - since I was, like....11?  I'm almost 15 and I want something more challenging. I always draw and write and craft and things and stuff...but I don't know...I guess I just want something new? Does anyone have suggestions of things I can do/learn on my own, that don't involve other people and teachers and stuff? 

I feel bad asking you guys for so much help lately...and I feel bad for spilling my feelings like this. I'm not really good at telling people my feelings, but I've been really down later. I know that this is just teenage moodswings...but I still feel bad about ranting to you guys.

I feel like the lyrics to that song Can't Fight This Feeling...how does it go? 'I can't fight this feeling any longe and yet I'm still afraid to let it flow.' 

Anyway...thanks for listening and being here! And if you can think of any inspiring new things for me to try, I'd really love that!!!! Thanks so much, guys. Y'all are awesome!!! <3 

~Silver 

 

submitted by Silverwaxwing
(August 3, 2017 - 8:06 pm)

We all get into slumps like this. At least, I do! It's nasty when it happens but perfectly understandable. Here are some things that I have found fun to learn or do, or ones that I've never actually done but sound fun!

-- Make beaded jewelry 

-- Do string trick thingies like Jacob's ladder, etc.

-- Make a decorative fountain out of flower pots and a small pump. It actually works!

-- Learn origami

-- Learn caligraphy or use a book to improve your handwriting  

-- Master Rubix cubes

-- Garden

-- Learn to code or do HTML

-- Learn to tie different kinds of knots

-- Organize! 

-- Paint your bedroom

I hope these are at least entertaining to read, and that you get out of your slump soon! <3 

My CAPTCHA says Abbi. Who's Abbi? 

submitted by Shoshannah
(August 4, 2017 - 7:44 am)

Thanks, Sho! There are a lot of things on there that are really inspiring me! Thanks so much!!! <3

submitted by Silverwaxwing
(August 4, 2017 - 6:53 pm)

Goop! 

submitted by Top, age Nudge, Poke
(August 4, 2017 - 1:39 pm)

Hmm, yeah I feel the same sometimes. But don't worry about asking for help too much, I like seeing threads like these because I can also get ideas when my problems are similar. No one here minds giving advice, it makes the community on the CB stronger and reminds us that the people behind those names are real people, and I enjoy reading rants and advice threads because I often have similar problems or have experienced/know I will experience similar problems. Don't try to keep your problems in!  I'm not good at telling my feelings either, but it is much better to go to someone or come to the CB then keep it in.

The only thing I can think of right now is learning how to hand whistle, or how to crochet/finger weave/weave. Hand whistle is where you form a whistle with your hand and blow into it to create different pitches. Some people are really good and can actually do entire songs. Finger weaving is realtively easy once you get the hang of it, so maybe not the best thing for you, but it is very relaxing. 

submitted by GreenMango
(August 4, 2017 - 2:16 pm)

Thanks, Mango! I really needed to hear that! <3 I am learning to crotchet! :D

submitted by Silverwaxwing
(August 4, 2017 - 6:54 pm)

I would say learn to kit if you don't know already. Also, like Sho said, paint your room. I did it a while a ago. It was a lot of work but totally worth it. Your could try some new art medium. For instance, if you mostly use pencils you could paint.

submitted by Impunity Jane
(August 5, 2017 - 5:04 pm)

Thanks, IJ! I don't know if my mom will let me paint my room, but I will sure try that art idea! :)

submitted by Silverwaxwing
(August 7, 2017 - 9:22 am)

Oh, yes, Shoshannah's suggestions are really good. I would like to add a few.

You like to draw, so I'd suggest you try animating something! I did a 5 second animation of a girl doing a backflip this winter and it was a ton of fun. (If you ask my sister, I was so excited about it that I made her watch what I had been working on like, every 10 minutes. Ok, that's an exaggeration. My point is that it's a lot of fun, at least to me :)

Claymation also seems cool, too! I've never done it, but it's interesting. 

Start a blog! It's great if you like to write and maybe you'll end up making a little money off of it. 

Write a song. I tried to write one this spring even though I don't even sing, and I'm happy with the outcome. It's fun and keeps you busy.

Try creating a short comic (or a long one, whatever!) 

Bake new things. This is the greatest thing because you get to eat all the good things you make.

Also, don't feel bad about asking for advice, the CB is one of the best places for that, we're always ready to listen and help as much as we can. You're awesome too, Silver, I hope this helped! 

 

submitted by Bluebird
(August 5, 2017 - 11:38 pm)

Thanks so much, Bluebird! I will try some of these things!

submitted by Silverwaxwing
(August 7, 2017 - 9:23 am)

It's perfectly okay to ask for help! I would recommend learning to make friendship bracelets. I'll also boost the idea of making a blog. I have one, and it's really fun. Or, if you're looking for something that involves writing, you could always make a solo write.

I am posting a picture of my friendship-bracelet-in-process. 

image.jpg
submitted by Kitten
(August 6, 2017 - 10:52 am)

Thank you, Kitten! That is a really pretty friendship bracelet!

submitted by Silverwaxwing
(August 7, 2017 - 9:24 am)

I don't know if you're into strategy, but try Magic the Gathering! It's basically a trading card thing where you build your own personalized deck of cards and battle other people, usually at a local game store. It's pretty easy to learn how to play online, and to find packs of cards to buy (I can recommend stuff if you want), but the best part is the story. Even if you don't play the game, you can still read the immensly complicated story online on the MtG website (I literally discovered this two days ago) and all the sets of cards tie into specific stories.

submitted by Jarvis, age ???
(August 6, 2017 - 12:09 pm)

Thanks, Jarvis. I will look into it!! :)

submitted by Silverwaxwing
(August 7, 2017 - 9:24 am)

My method to avoid this sort of thing is to set a million goals for myself, things that I'll still want to do even weeks later. I only just realized that that's what I do. Anyway, I get kind of overloaded sometimes, but it works, I've had too much to do to get the feeling of being in a gray fog, torn between two options that don't even exist. So, here's my way.

First, I would suggest writing. Put this feeling into words, explore every corner of it. It's fine if it's hard, just keep going at it. Dissect it, poke and prod and inspect every part of it in your mind, and write it all down. And if you can't write it, draw it. Just record it, express it. I wonder if that's what art is? Might be a part of it.

Second, goals. Think about what you want to do, to learn, to become, all of it, everything. Side projects and life goals, fun little random things, independent study, time killers, anything you want. Write all of that down. Now, take what you've written and plan. Break all the big things down and mix them up with lots of little ones, and take that mixture and arrange it into days, like pouring muffin batter into the cups of the pan. Don't set yourself too much to do in one day.

Third, live it. Complete your goals and set more. You can rearrange things, reschedule, ignore the schedule. Don't forget to take care of yourself. If you start to feel like you're drifting again, go back to everything you've written down, and there you'll have some guidelines and ideas for what to do. And if you don't, if you've done everything or you don't want to do any of the things, start over from the beginning or try something else.

This is my thing. This is kind of my school, now that I think about it; you're allowed to direct your own education there. It's a pretty good school. Starter goals, hm... Well, get inspired. Reading usually helps me, whether it's books, webcomics, magazines, or stuff here. I also sometimes browse YouTube and Netflix for things to watch. You can also walk around, go outside. And if all else fails, you can ask someone, like you did here.

Hope this helps! 

submitted by Viola?, age Secret, Secret
(August 6, 2017 - 1:28 pm)
submitted by Learn how to yodel
(August 7, 2017 - 12:56 am)