Do you recognize this gremlin?

Gremlin with Rules — Image copyright Amy Crook, used with permission

I’ve noticed this little fella hanging around lately. I’m not sure that they’re hanging around more. I think maybe I’m noticing them more.

I think what happens is that someone suggests a way of approaching something that I’m stuck on and it makes visible a whole set of rules I thought I needed to follow when doing whatever it was I was doing.

I can’t remember the specific instance that prompted me to commission this cartoon, but once I started seeing this gremlin, it got easier to spot them.

For example, I think I first spotted this gremlin in relation to my quilting. They had all kinds of rules about what kinds of fabrics could be put together, even when I knew that we see the combination in patchwork as a whole.

I’ve engaged in a couple of quilting projects designed to help me play with not following the rules about “matching”: Scrappy Trip-Around-The-World Block, Floral 9-patch

I am now figuring out ways I could do this in other areas of my life and work.

Do you recognize this gremlin? How do they affect your work? If you think you know their name, I’d love to hear it, too.

Are you waiting for permission?

Give Yourself Permission

Permission to do the scholarly work you want to do

Permission to think big thoughts, write …

Permission to refuse service/admin requests

Categories & tags updated July 14, 2015.