Sometimes I’ll be working on a project and I just won’t be feeling it.

A number of things can be going on. Sometimes the pattern pieces just aren’t fitting together right and the whole thing looks silly and unsalvageable. Other times I look at it and wonder if I’ll ever wear/use it. Or maybe I had an idea in my head that just isn’t translating. Sometimes all you need is to step away for a day or two and come back with fresh eyes. Other times stepping away only leads to lack of motivation and your project ends up in a dusty “Someday” box.

We’re all taught the importance of perseverance and finishing what you start, but there comes a point when you’re just wasting your time. When do you decide to call it quits and move on to something else?

I’m having trouble with this collar. I think I made it too big, or the pearls are too big, and I’m doubting whether I’ll ever wear it because it looks slightly wonky, which makes me not want to put in the time to finish it.

But it does look pretty cool so far and I do feel like I’m kind of pre-judging it before seeing the final effect. Plus, I’ve seen a ton of gorgeous beaded collars on Pinterest and I’m sure they looked at least a tiny bit wonky before they were finished.

Hmmm.

How do you decide whether to give up or keep going?