Make More Mistakes Advice from Neil Gaiman

Good morning! How was your weekend? Did you relax? Or were you out and about? My husband and I are both sick, me with a cold and he with the flu so it was a very relaxing weekend at home, lots of time to read, take naps and try to rejuvenate and recuperate. 

I found plenty of time  catch up with my blog friends this weekend and while doing so I found a  quote which I loved and think you will as well. Anita from Castles, Crowns and Cottages told me about a New Year’s post at The Dutchess Blog featuring a fabulous and thought provoking quote from Neil Gaiman

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.

So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life. Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”

Neil Gaiman

I read this quote two and then three times and it was as if I was being sent a message. So I promptly printed it out several times and put one in a frame next to my computer and mailed the other copies to friends and family that may need a little encouragement. 

In the past I loved to try new things, taking online classes, trying a new hobbie, making something new but as I have aged I have found myself getting complacent and settling in, almost a feeling of, “if I haven’t done it at yet and I am now 49 I am not going to do it”. 

After I read this quote my thought process changed to “hey, I’m 49, old enough to know better and young enough to try.” “Who cares if I fail and can’t paint a landscape, or knit a sweater, or earn another Master’s, the fun is in the excitement of learning and trying new things.” 

This year is my year to try new things and to make a few mistakes. After all I have several friends that branched out and tried new things and succeeded, like becoming yoga teachers, writing their first book, traveling somewhere new, earning a Doctorate; some a a bit younger than me and most are older. I guess if they can do it, I can too. 

So here is to learning and growing and to making mistakes! Let’s make it our goal to get out there and explore, learn, cook, bake, garden, paint, write, or whatever takes our fancy, but let’s just do it!

Have a great day!