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You know, its been a while since the last Kipper Waffle (patent pending), but I really think I should say a few things right now. And no, I’m not going to pitch in on US Insurrection, or at least not directly!
#KipperWaffle
#KipperWaffle
Basically, I just want to highlight that this is a bloody hard time for everyone. That should be obvious, right? But so often it feels that it's just us.
January is often one of the hardest times of the year. We’re past the highs and lows of Christmas. We’re dealing with a very long month until payday. We’ve probably spent a bit too much on Xmas. The days are short and the nights are long.
And that’s a _normal_ January.
And that’s a _normal_ January.
2020 is over! A terrible year has finished! We’ve felt excited that a new year has started! Its all getting better!
Except … we’re a couple of weeks into 2021 and an arbitrary calendar system hasn’t really changed anything. Reality is hitting.
Except … we’re a couple of weeks into 2021 and an arbitrary calendar system hasn’t really changed anything. Reality is hitting.
We’ve seen political turmoil on the world stage. The prospect of vaccines for a global pandemic uplifted spirits, but the reality of a deployment to millions of people means we’re still months away at best.
And we’re locked down away from our support networks.
And we’re locked down away from our support networks.
Hobby has been a fantastic support for me, and for many others. Whether that’s reading fiction, building, printing or painting minis, writing and reading RPGs, or playing games of any variety online, its been a fantastic escape and a way to participate online.
But even those supportive hobbies can feel stressful too, especially as a new year begins.
You see all the hobby reviews of the year. People painted more than you. “Better” than you. Gamed more than you.
You see all the hobby reviews of the year. People painted more than you. “Better” than you. Gamed more than you.
Other people have amazing goals for the year. Some have been painting everyday, with amazing results in terms of quantity, quality, or both.
After running round teaching 2 kids with a full days work on the go, I just stare at my brushes.
After running round teaching 2 kids with a full days work on the go, I just stare at my brushes.
We’re in a lockdown. We have more responsibilities than ever. There’s financial hits. The news keeps hammering the bad like kids not getting fed at home.
It is bloody hard. And its so easy to see the positive stuff online when you don’t feel it.
It is bloody hard. And its so easy to see the positive stuff online when you don’t feel it.
Now, this sounds like a dirge, not the normal positive bouncy take on the world you’ve come to expect from me!
But you know what? Everyone is in this mess. Pretty much everyone is struggling in some way right now. It's important to acknowledge that IT'S NOT JUST YOU.
But you know what? Everyone is in this mess. Pretty much everyone is struggling in some way right now. It's important to acknowledge that IT'S NOT JUST YOU.
The people sharing pictures of hobby streaks because they’re painting every day? They are forcing themselves to paint because it helps them feel better, or to fill up time as they can’t work. It’s their way of coping. They aren’t superheroes. They’re people like you.
The WIPs, the brilliant minis, the wonderful hobby?
The key word there is hobby. Its a break and escape from the stresses of the world. It shouldn’t be a stress or an obligation.
The key word there is hobby. Its a break and escape from the stresses of the world. It shouldn’t be a stress or an obligation.
If you can’t paint a mini today? This week? This month? 2021?
That’s not a problem. And it doesn’t mean you aren’t still valued as a friend in the hobby community.
That’s not a problem. And it doesn’t mean you aren’t still valued as a friend in the hobby community.
We’re all tired. We all have a little less in the tank to step up and help out others. We all tend to be a little more snappy, a little less tolerant, a little less forgiving of mistakes. And that makes it harder to feel welcome, and to help others.
Just remember that everyone you deal with on here is a person, with hopes and dreams, flaws and problems, just like you.
(Not me, I’m perfect, natch!)
They aren’t painting machines, or optimism engines, or professional crafters of tweets. There will be mistakes. Be kind.
(Not me, I’m perfect, natch!)
They aren’t painting machines, or optimism engines, or professional crafters of tweets. There will be mistakes. Be kind.
Don’t feel you have to hide the problems. When I hear others are struggling working and teaching their kids at home in the lockdown?
I don’t feel superior. I don’t feel smug.
I feel relieved. I don’t feel so alone.
I don’t feel superior. I don’t feel smug.
I feel relieved. I don’t feel so alone.
Don’t give up. Don’t chuck in the towel. But take care of yourself. View things in the context of the tremendous pressure we’re _all_ under. Enjoy any hobby if you can. Escape a little into other worlds. But don’t feel you ever have to hobby. Just feel free to just be.
I hope that helps a few people put things into a new perspective - just talking about it has helped me, so I’m a bit more relaxed, happier, and feeling more realistic about stuff!
Take care of yourselves, and if you have the energy, try to be kind to other too.
Take care of yourselves, and if you have the energy, try to be kind to other too.
Anyways, Back to the normal service of dribbling over cracking minis, fantastic games and occasionally dreaming of putting brush to mini myself!
Huzzah! Onwards … and hopefully upwards!
Huzzah! Onwards … and hopefully upwards!
