counter on blogger

Pickle Me This

February 13, 2020

I Know What I’m Doing

There are lots of memes and online posts where somebody writes about having no idea what they’re doing, but they’re doing it anyway, pushing through, persisting, and as someone who loves the idea of process, obviously I am pretty fond of this idea. “I don’t know what I’m doing but I’m doing it anyway,” could have been the tagline for this blog throughout its many evolutions over the last twenty (20!) years, and maybe the tagline for my whole life….but I wonder if too often we (me?) are focusing too much on the first half of the idea and obfuscating the second clause. It’s the doing it anyway that’s the point, instead of the undermining of our expertise. There are undoubtedly people who know exactly what they’re doing and who don’t do anything at all, and so at least you’re not in that boat, is what I’m saying. And that it’s only by “doing it anyway” that you’re ever going to figure out what you’re doing at all, and sometimes this is even possible. Not even in the “fake it ’til you make it” way (which is also a very good technique, so I’m not trying to undermine it) but for real. “I know exactly what I’m doing,” is a thought that really does occur to me from time-to-time (albeit never about sourdough), and it’s so empowering when it happens. To feel good and confident about a thing you have made, and not even be pretending—or is this just what it feels like to be 40?

4 thoughts on “I Know What I’m Doing”

  1. Judy says:

    Kinda like “I know where I’m going.”

  2. Ange says:

    Sue Monk Kidd’s curiosity resonates with your post’s sentiment,’Do it any way’. “How many women have this thing that’Lies At The Bottom of Their Hearts’that they are not paying attention to, that wants to be there, that wants a place in their life ….. It takes (us) courage to ask this question and set that intention”.

  3. Sharon says:

    This is 40, friend! HUZZAH! I’m in revisions and am feeling the same confidence. Hell yeah, this draft is a pile of garbage but I a) know it’s garbage which is a major step forward b) know there are gems to liberate from the garbage c) know how to make the next draft better. Empowering is the correct word. It feels great. Mind you, it’s probably also a fleeting feeling. In three weeks I’ll be under my desk crying about how I don’t know what I’m doing. But for now….confidence!

Leave a Reply to Judy Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

New Novel, OUT NOW!

ATTENTION BOOK CLUBS:

Download the super cool ASKING FOR A FRIEND Book Club Kit right here!


Sign up for Pickle Me This: The Digest

Sign up to my Substack! Best of the blog delivered to your inbox each month. The Digest also includes news and updates about my creative projects and opportunities for you to work with me.


My Books

The Doors
Twitter Pinterest Pinterest Good Reads RSS Post