I’ve been reflecting a lot lately on the strange pressures of living a creative life online.
In the weaving world, there’s so much inspiration to be gleaned – endless projects, beautiful photos, clever ideas. It’s wonderful, but it can also creep up on you in ways you don’t expect. Sometimes it feels like there’s an unspoken rule: keep producing, keep sharing, keep impressing. You need to do something new! If you don’t? You fall behind and get forgotten.
Of course, no one says this out loud. But that’s how it can feel.
I’ve found myself getting stuck in this mindset more than I’d like to admit. I catch myself thinking:
“I need to have something new to show. Something exciting, something impressive. Otherwise, why would anyone pay attention?”
And when I do share something I’ve made that I was excited about and it lands quietly, with hardly a comment or a like… it gets under my skin more than I want it to. I start questioning the work itself:
“Was it not good enough? Was it boring? Did I waste my time? Have I lost my creative spark?”
Even worse than that, my original thoughts and excitement about the piece change. Because, if no one likes it, if it’s not popular it’s less valid, right? 🤔
It’s not just about weaving, either.
I’ve noticed this happening in other parts of my life too, most recently with my health. This year I’ve been working consistently on some major changes. Eating better, moving more, taking care of myself, prioritising my health and getting stronger.
I’ve lost some weight, I feel stronger and healthier, but – hardly anyone has said a word. No “You’re looking great!” or “You seem really well!” Not even from people close to me. Literally the only person to have notice the changes is my husband.
And honestly? It’s made me question whether the effort is even worth it.
It shouldn’t be that way. I know it shouldn’t. We’re supposed to be motivated by our own progress, our own joy in the process. I am proud of the changes I’ve made, both in my weaving and in my health. But I’ve realised how easy it is to get tangled up in needing recognition to feel like something counts.
When something goes unnoticed, it’s tempting to think it wasn’t valuable. It can be so hard to keep going, keep striving for improvement when you feel alone in it.
But that’s not true.
Some of the most meaningful work we do – in creativity, in health and in life happens quietly, without applause.
The growth, the learning, the persistence, the small daily choices still matter. Even when no one notices.
I’m sharing this because I suspect I’m not alone in feeling this way. If you’ve ever poured time into a weaving project and wondered why it didn’t get more attention. If you’ve ever made positive changes and felt deflated when no one cheered you on – please know this:
It’s normal to want encouragement. But it’s also possible to keep going without it.
It could be helpful to examine your own sources of motivation and purpose. I’ll use weaving and health as some examples in my own case:
MOTIVATION 1 – WEAVING
My desire to weave began with a fascination but there are other factors that have made me remain a weaver rather than giving up.
- I feel called to spread beauty throughout the world.
- Using my hands to create brings me joy and stillness
- I love to help others
- Weaving feels very special and unique to me
- I love giving handmade gifts
MOTIVATION 2 – HEALTH JOURNEY
- I love to feel as physically well as I possibly can
- Being overweight is unpleasant and slows me down
- I don’t want my auto immune disease to dominate my life
- As I age I want to gain strength and be capable
- I like my clothes to feel comfortable and I want to feel good in my own body
- Being healthy and exercising is great for my mental health
For me, this is a lesson in finding deeper motivation. Not the quick hit of approval, but the steady satisfaction of knowing I’m moving in the right direction for me. That’s what really matters.
Weaving has always taught me patience. It’s teaching me this lesson too.
Thanks for reading. I hope this article resonates with you and helps you to think through your own perceptions in a positive way.
So, tell me. Have you ever felt this way? Perhaps, like me, it’s something that you struggle with frequently? Drop me a comment down below to share your experience ⬇️
Until next time…
Happy Weaving!
Support my work 😊
I think any artist has this same “problem.” I used to sell my craft in a gallery but gave it up when I became frustrated trying to figure out what people wanted to buy. I quit that and I now happily make whatever I want without worrying about what will please someone else. I think that “letting-go process” gets easier as one ages.
Your latest post resonates with so many of us. I very sadly remember weaving an overshot set of towels on my rigid heddle and sewing my personalized “Handwoven by” tag inside. I very excitedly wrapped them up and mailed them away as a Christmas present for a dear childhood friend of mine. I didn’t receive any recognition for the handwork I did nor did I even get a thank you. Hurtful. I’m sure we’ve all had similar experiences.
But as I age I’ve learned to live within myself. No social media, except a few weaving groups like yours. While it does seem natural to want acknowledgement and appreciation, I’ve found it to be distracting. It’s a good suggestion to reassess your motivations for doing something to set you back on the right path.
Your situation is a bit different though. You make a living by putting yourself and your work online, teaching and inspiring others. I’m sure it’s a tough thing to balance. I’ve always loved how open and down to earth you are. It’s a very refreshing online presence these days. You’ve built a lovely community of weavers, who appreciate your warmth and inspiration. Keep doing what you’re doing. . .but at your own pace. We’ll all still be there.
Thanks for your insights, Cynthia 🥰
Kelly, this is a very good post. As I read the early part I hoped you would soon learn that you are enough, no matter how much or how little you”produce”. If you are doing what you think is right and good, that is all you need to do in every aspect of your life. I am now 75 years old. I am also working on weight and health. I still feel I have much to offer those around me. And have even started a YouTube channel myself (The Country Wife From Vermont) with hopes that it might help me with my own motivations for self improvement if I share my journey with family, friends, and those to become friends who watch. I consider you a wonderful new friend. You have helped me tremendously with rigid heddle weaving. I tried to leave you a money gift but my credit union saw where it was going and canceled my account card because they thought it was a scam. As a result I have not currently contributed to you financially but I plan to purchase a membership very soon. I do however always give a thumbs up. I love your teaching and your calm quiet manner. Such a blessing to me. Please don’t take the time and energy to respond. I believe my message may be a blessing and encouragement to you and that is enough. XOX
How could I not respond to such a lovely comment? 🥰
I do appreciate your support and encouragement so much, I’m sorry you had that trouble with the bank on my account!
I love that you’ve started on Youtube, I popped over and subscribed 😀
I usually do not comment, but….
(1) I read all of your posts and am totally in awe of your weaving skills.
(2) I, too, have the weight struggle and am working on it. A slow and important long-term process.
(3) As a crafter, I have learned to be more-thick skinned. It is important to enjoy the process as much as the product. It is crucial for your creativity and sanity to rely on yourself for accolades. I do not share my work with those who are quick to criticize and those who are not creative themselves.
(4) Please keep posting girlfriend!!!!!
Thanks so much, Pam ❤️
Kelly – I also posted this on your Weaving Lessons FB page;
From a weaving perspective, your body of work is what is most impressive. Maybe adding 1 new project to that does not get the reaction that others might have in the past but you have made weaving accessible for an innumerable mass of people. You are mentioned as a resource in forums all over social media.
I am a 62 year old guy living in Texas and was looking for a hobby as I near retirement. One path led me to explore weaving so I picked up a small hand loom and tried a couple of small coasters. I liked that well enough that I went to the internet to see what was next and I stumbled across Choosing a Loom from Kelly Casanova. I soon bought a 32″ Ashford RHL and was off to the races. I have done several of your projects, including building a warping stand and a reed holder.
I fell heavily down the rabbit hole and you have played a big part in making weaving accessible. My wife now has many scarves and our kitchen towels are all stylish 3/2 cotton. I have just purchased a floor loom and am scheduled to take weaving lesson from Tom Knisley at Red stone Glen in September. Thanks to a recent update from you I have a blog in the works and have just joined Instagram (@Warped_Rabbit). I could go on but I am confident that your YouTube videos and Online Weaving School have played an integral part of finding my passion. Candidly, some of your individual projects do not fit my goals but I am also guessing you should not be targeting too many 60 something males in Texas. But rest assured, I have watched more Kelly Casanova weaving videos than all others combined and you have inspired me more than I can express by the breadth and approachability of what you have produced.
Thanks for sharing all of that Rick, I’m excited for you! Wow, you are very fortunate to have the opportunity to learn with Tom, I’m sure that class will take your enthusiasm for weaving to the next level.
I appreciate your honesty about my projects too, although I do have more males following me all the time, it is a fact that my audience is predominantly female. I do often have guys weaving my projects but in more masculine colours, it’s really interesting to see.
I followed you on Instagram and look forward to keeping up with your weaving journey 😀
I totally get what youre saying! I am learning this lesson, not so much with weaving, but with life. It has become a great comfort to me to remind myself, when I think nobody sees or nobody cares, God does.
Yes, it’s definitely a life lesson too ❤️
Kelly, what I notice about you is your consistency–to your beautiful work and your help for the community of weavers. But more deeply, your consistency to your faith, your family, and being a real person in an often fake online world. I really appreciate these things about you! ❤️
Thank you so much!
Kelly
I know exactly how you feel. You said it so elegantly. You are correct when you say we need yo be motivated from within, however, it is only natural to want others to notice and share your enthusiasm. I think that if we truly do things for the joy, self improvement or to simply share with others, the satisfaction will come. Perhaps it we ill come quietly, and that is ok. I appreciate all you do and share with us! You are an inspiration!
I think one of the problems (and this is a major problem in many aspects of life now!) is the online “noise”. So many of us are online constantly (yep, myself included) and although it can be an amazing source of inspiration, it can also be a huge distraction both in our actions and perceptions. It’s up to each individual to “police” how we’re using the internet, and to know how to use it in a way that is most positive and beneficial.
Easy to say, hard to do!