There's no shame in giving up. Modern life is demanding enough as it is without trying to cram in activities which are not rewarding or enjoyable (with the obvious exceptions of work, cleaning and queueing). I won't even get started on dealing with call centres.
You may have noticed I'm studying for a photography diploma. Well, make that past tense. Because I've decided to Give Up.
The course is online, cost quite a lot and is extremely difficult. The focus (excuse the pun) is very much on the technical aspects of photography, and there's an assumption you're very knowledgeable to begin with. I'm not a technically-minded person. In fact, I started the course because I wanted to use my camera to its full potential and learn lots of creative techniques.
The reality was quite different - pages and pages of background reading on the history and science of photography, baffling assignments and the overwhelming feeling that I wasn't good enough to pass the course.
I began to avoid using my camera. I put off starting assignments, citing bad weather or being too busy. And as my 12-month time allowance dwindled I started to feel a sense of relief.
Having made the decision to give up, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. I found much more helpful, user-friendly tutorials on websites like this. I bought this book. And - excuse a second pun - things started to click. I'm back in love with my camera.
Giving up isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes it's necessary.
It's not always right to see things through to the end - better to have tried and failed in this case!
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