Jack of All Trades, Master of None – that’s what my paternal grandmother used to call me. Decades before the word “niche” was trending, or even the internet was invented, my Grammy frequently warned me of trying to pursue too many things at once. As a young, maybe even arrogant teen/young adult, I didn’t really understand what this warning phrase meant. I just like doing so many different things. But I should have taken heed that not having focus on any specific endeavor(s) might lead to a watering down of skill in all.
And while I generally don’t care for the sentiment as I find it discouraging, I have to admit there is truth in its message. I have been watching a very talented 13 year old calligrapher on Instagram named Janie. She practices her calligraphy for hours every day. Her progress has been rapid and her work is better than many adult, long-time calligraphers. She is passionate, driven, and focused. I would give anything for the opportunity to go back to that age and focus on calligraphy so intently. Instead, what I did was I dabbled. I did some drawing. Then I would do some calligraphy; then some sewing, then some crochet; some watercolor painting, then some silk ribbon embroidery. I never stayed focused on any one craft for too long before I would move on to the next.
This isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it’s a great thing. I explored, I tried new things. I continued learning. And it has enriched my life greatly. I don’t have to be the best. I don’t regret learning to knit or sew or crochet or embroider or letter or bake or anything else. I love it all. Those are things I do for enjoyment. And I will
never, ever be bored. I’ve always told my kids – find your thing. Find what makes you happy. Dabble in things until you do. Or continue dabbling in all that brings you joy. You don’t have to pick one. A PuddleDuck is one who dabbles in many different things. I am one. Are you?
