In this episode of The Creative Introvert podcast I interview Jenny Mustill of Ruby Ruth Dolls.
Todays guest is the first I’ve actually met in real life before asking to come on the show. I basically pounced on Jenny when I found out she makes and sells real tangible products!
This is something that I’ve dabbled in myself, when I was more focussed on my pet portraiture business - purely as an excuse to draw animals and make some money on the side.
But I know how much work goes into producing anything physical - there’s no undo button, you can’t just go and restore a backup you made earlier.
Plus there’s the added challenge that makers and crafters face when selling their work at markets and craft shows and such - I did a bit of this but the introvert in me had a hard time with being around so many people all day long.
Anyway, I talk to Jenny, creator of Ruby Ruth dolls, which are completely handmade partly from recycled jumpers bought in charity shops in my neck of the woods, Brighton, England.
?In this week's edition of the Creative Introvert Podcast I'll be tackling the age old question...
How to say 'NO' without feeling like a terrible human!
I wish I could remember what it was like to be that awkward toddler who loved to say NO to just about anything. Even the stuff I wanted.
For a mixture of reasons, simply saying ‘NO’ - both to ourselves and to others - is something that gets a lot more difficult when we’re older.
It’s in our DNA to want to feel safe, to be loved and accepted. In order to get this, many of us learn that we need to prioritise someone elses needs and feelings, before our own. while this may work for a while; and we may feel there’s less conflict - our inner conflict is actually growing.
Saying no makes us feel guilty - we wouldn’t want to upset anyone - but on the flipside we feel resentful when we yes, because we’re being forced to do something against our will. Basically: we’re damned if we do and damned if we don’t.
Now, I’m not saying we all need to start thinking only of ourselves and going around acting like narcisstic a-holes, but there is a tricky balance between being a good friend/partner/colleague etc and being a doormat.
Meg Kissack is a fellow Brit and blogger behind That Hummingbird Life and the host of The Couragemakers - a podcast that has had me nearly in tears while grocery shopping!
I adore Meg's approach on living life to it’s fullest, and in a totally bull-shit free that feels true to you. We talk about all sorts: from Megs disillusionment with her dream job to dealing with burnout to dealing with people in your life who don’t quite support or even understand what the heck you do.
Expectation Hangover - Christine Hassler
Intuitive types vs Sensing types
56 Things to do that aren't reading the news
Sapiens - Yuval Noah Harari
So I’ve asked member of the League of Creative Introverts as well as those following me on social media to submit questions to the me on the subject of being a creative introvert and any kind of struggles y’all are facing.
While I’m not a qualified creative introvert - I’m sure one day that could be a real thing - I hope that my advice is somewhat useful regardless of where you are on your creative journey.
Also you can send in questions for future Q+A-style episodes, to hello@thecreativeintrovert.com and I will hopefully be able to answer them for you here.