Ignorance is Bliss?

Today I was thinking about the creative process, my process in particular, and how knowing too much about something tends to put me in a kind of writers', or artists', block. When I was studying fashion, getting to see how The Greats work and getting involved with all the cutting edge trends. I would find myself utterly lost on how to proceed with my own designs! I was on information overload, bombarded with too many images and trends going in every possible direction. Finding my own direction and inspiration seemed impossible. I felt cursed by the infinite possibilities and options. Which one was the 'right' direction, or option, or whatever?


Now I can't speak for everyone. And I know there are plenty of people out there with completely different views but I will say this... What's wrong with not having the perfect product or idea?! Sometimes we get so bogged down in getting things 'perfect' that we never actually launch our idea/product/design etc. at all! I mean haven't you heard of Betas? Also, I can say from personal experience that sometimes Ignorance is Bliss. If I had known then what I know now, I never even would have tried to change careers the way I did.

Basically, I did a Google search for the best bakeries in NYC and just went down the list, cold-calling to see if anyone would be willing to teach me if I worked for free. I was on unemployment at the time, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to afford to make that kind of offer. As I got rejection after rejection, I finally got someone willing to interview me. He was a French pastry chef with an amazing reputation and was leaving his current job to help open an upscale Italian restaurant. He started me off on a trial period of 3 weeks to see if I worked out. Well, he must have seen something promising because I've been there over a year now! "There is just on snag," he said. "You have to be on the payroll for insurance purposes." Turns out all those restaurants were rejecting me because I wouldn't have been covered under their insurance if something happened to me in their kitchens! I would have been a huge liability! Thank God for crazy French chefs who know nothing about American laws! I couldn't believe my luck! I was actually getting paid to learn! And if I had known about the insurance situation before I started cold-calling, I don't think I would have even tried and I would not have had the amazing experiences and knowledge I have today. (Including how to say "burnt" in Italian, Spanish, and French!)

So, in some ways, yes, I think ignorance is bliss. How else can you achieve the impossible? I know many would argue that it was just blind luck, but I like to think it was because I had the gumption to put myself out there, take that first step, and jump feet first into the unknown. If no one tells you you can't do something, then maybe you can! Sometimes it's ignorance that lets you solve problems and meet your goals in fresh and exciting ways!

If you have a similar story of gumption, please email it to me and I will share the most inspiring in my next post!

And for those of you who love food as much as I do, I'm adding a page dedicated only to Foodie Films only added to my decision to pursue a career in cooking. Movies that inspire me. Maybe it's just the romantic in me, but I'm sure these
If you have your own foodie films, let me know and I'll try to add them to the list!