I had gotten to the point where I stressed over cakes. Some of the fun was gone, I just dreaded doing them because they often did not turn out like I had wanted. The way I dreamt them, or planned them. I am an incredibly creative person and am always down on myself for every little flaw in a cake. I know you've done it too... things that 'normal' people can't even see stick out like a huge blinking neon sign to you. And so you feel like you truly stink. My husband sent me a link to a short talk given by Elizabeth Gilbert on handling the 'creative beast' that lives within you. It changed my life. Now, I make a cake, do the best I can do, and leave the rest up to fate. I don't pick them apart, I look at them as a whole and say, "That's a nice cake. They will really enjoy it." I want to share this with any of you who have been or are in that same place, and for those of you who are already familiar with her, I'd love to know if this helped you like it did me. She is bright, funny, but most importantly, she gives you PERMISSION to not be perfect all the time. What a relief. I have since bought the book "Eat, Pray, Love" that she refers to, and am about to start reading it. I cannot wait. I hope to glean something amazing from it, and if I do, I will let you know. If I don't, well... this little video clip was MORE than I ever could've asked for from her. Please enjoy, and if you need to, watch it repeatedly. Make it your mantra.

http://www.pvponline.com/2009/08/03/elizabeth-gilbert-on-nurturing-creativity/

Melvira....you will love the book! Lots of good lessons in it and so much fun to read!

Wow, that was really home-hitting. Adding to my "favorite quotes" list:

Which goes alongside one of my favorite Trump quotes (which is paraphrased from Churchill): Never give up. Never. never. never. This is so important it needs to be repeated. Never Ever EVER give up.

Melvira,
I just watched Elizabeth Gilbert's talk. It was fantastic. Thanks so much for sharing. As a beginner in the cake decorating, I find it hard sometimes, because in my own mind I have a little OCD when it comes to my cakes. I want them to be PERFECT. BUt the reality is, they can't because I am a beginner. When I have made a cake and people go on & on about how great it is (thank goodness they don't see flaws like I do.), I am really hard on myself when I am on to my next project, because it has to be better than the last. She really gave me a new perspective on creativity, and perfection & genius. I will definitely go back to her talk again & again. I will also have to remind myself - If its ugly, SO WHAT!? It is still going to taste great. Let's eat cake! Thanks a mill for sharing. PS - I'd love to hear how her book is. Maybe one day I will have an opportunity to read it. Right now w/ 3 little ones, its all I can do to bake my cakes!

I get that way too....I am rarely completely satisfied with a cake!!!!

I'm so glad that this is speaking to others as it spoke to me. She is charming and humorous, but under that there is a really valuable message. You're not perfect, and it's OK. And the majority of the time, our 'less than perfect' work is absolutely astoundingly perfect in someone else's eyes. I simply adore this brilliant woman now. She's on my list of wonderful people I'd just love to sit down and have lunch with, and talk until our tongues fall out.

Melvira, thank you for passing this along. That was a very powerful message.

I really liked Eat, Pray, Love a lot. I hope you do, too.

I had listened to this when Scott originally posted it, as I follow the strip. It was good to listen to it again though. Thanks so much for the reminder! As you can see from one of my cakes, Scott has inspired me as well...

Rylan needs to see this video.

WOW! My husband and sister-in-law tell me that all the time! I want perfection and always see the flaws...But I attribute it to the fact that people are also spending quite a bit of money on this cake...
Thanks for the reality check/blessing! <3

[/i]

Same here. I was a perfectionist with my cakes. This year I let go.

I'm happy celebrating a birthday or special occasion with family and friends. If cake is not perfect. So What!

It's the event that is meaningful. The process of baking, creating and decorating is fun.

I attend cake shows and conventions. I know I can't match the food network chefs etc. but I learn from them. Also I get my inspiration from here. CC is a wonderful place to get ideas and tips.

Wow, thanks so much for that I can't believe how much resonance it strikes in me... I've only watched it half way through, thanks to my two year old but will finish later, already though I feel vindicated and so much better (lots of self doubt and stress lately) so thanks!!!!!

Thanks for posting. I liked it a lot, and also sent it on to my extremely creative sister who is frequently crippled by perfectionism.

May we all keep showing up for work.

Thank you posting, really it's home. I too have been very hard on myself regarding the finished cakes. My friends have gotten mad at me 'cause I point out what I think are problems. They don't see any issues. They ooh and ahh and go on about them. I just pick them apart and discuss what I need to do differently the next time around. But I need to relax and just enjoy the "cake" and not get caught up in the work part of it. Elizazbeth Giblert is an wonderful speaker; can't wait to read her book.

Thanks Melvira. What a wonderful way of looking at it!

yes, I agree, thanks for posting. I have never heard of Elizabeth, but will try to buy the book. I am a new beginner and have several stressfull times lately. I had to make a cake for my sons godmother and was almost ready to quit. I could not come up with a theme and 2 hours before delivery I "just decorated the cake".....whew...where was the fun?????
thanks again!!

Thanks for sharing...what an eloquent speaker. Ole!

Profound!!!!!!! thank you so very much for sharing,Melvira, and Inydebi .. I will never ever ever give up...

I am so glad that this is touching so many of you. She just really gives me a giggle too... she is quite humorous, and that makes her message easier to swallow. Try telling someone "Hey, get over yourself, you can't be perfect you ignorant heifer!" Yah... the message will not be well received.

stsapph, you're awesome! A PvP fan AND a caker?? We're soul mates baby!!

Excellent video!!!

I am blaming my 'genius' for all the trouble I've been having with chocolate MMF lately.

I have the same issues. I always look at everything I make and think "Oh my gosh! How can this be happening? Why did it happen?"

Thanks for sharing this. I've always wanted to read the book. I may have to pick it up!

Hi Melvira,

Thanks for posting. This could not have come at a better time. I have the book somewhere and need to reread it. I need to let others know about the site.

Missing the Iowa Fall
Aquamom

Yep! I've been following PvP since college. Got to meet Scott about a year ago when he came down to Savannah to do a speech at SCAD with Dave Kellett of Sheldon. They are both great guys.

Thanks Melvira for the clip. I'm one of those who is never satisfied with her work and see every little glitch. I finally, got it today. I will just enjoy the gift and just show up. Deeply appreciate this.
God Bless,
Hamsqud

Oh Aquamom, you simply could NOT miss the weather we've been having lately. Yesterday I spent half an hour watching TV and missed Fall completely! Hahaha.

And yes, my friends... all we can do is continue to show up. That's what I've decided to do, and it's working for me. You know, my cakes haven't really gotten any better, but my satisfaction level has gone way up. Yah, there is a little wrinkle in the fondant. I don't mind so much. I see those on all those cake shows on TV too. And that was the Genius' job anyway. I was in charge of luster dust, she was on fondant smoothing duty! Hahaha. Now, I definitely do need to clarify that I haven't given myself license to start making bad cakes, just to be less critical of them. I don't want anyone to wander in here and think I'm trying to convince you all to stink out loud! I hope no one got that impression. It's not that I've stopped trying, I've just started accepting my work for what it is... decent, though imperfect.