@periwinklepixie
thanks, I always appreciate a question that makes me think.
... create things about the harder times.... hmm.... makes me sound like an artist but i'm not really, I'm a maker.... I make stuff.... almost exclusively for other people unless It's something I really really need for myself.
Now in a sense, some of what I make is about the harder times because I've had to drop everything to make something he believes he can't live without a moment longer. Every time I see the fabric bags that are shielding our tomatoes from fruit fly I remember the day I had to switch off the oven and make them 'right now because otherwise otherwise my efforts are wasted'. I made them "right then", he was happy, that made me happy ish even if I felt waiting until the next morning would have been ok.
I've been trying to make new knickers for weeks now but have to keep putting them aside because other people have needed me to do other things for them - but doing for others does makes me happy.
The happiness I feel after making something - for myself or others - is based on validation. It confirms that I am good at things that are of value; that I am of value. If I'm left alone long enough to make something I need for myself then I feel pure joy.... but it's always something needed, not just for the sake of it.
The other way I create is through writing - personally and as a Civil Celebrant. After a wedding where I have crafted a ceremony that has not only made someone's dream come true but made a contribution to society that is both lasting and official the euphoria lasts for days.
So it would appear that almost all my happiness is sourced externally, which is an interesting observation for me to make. I need to work on finding something that makes me happy for it's own sake, not just because of the outcome of my endeavours.
