By Ann Makosinski

SIDE PROJECTS BY: ANN MAKOSINSKI

Inventor/Writer

 

Q1. Tell us about a side project that has meant a lot to you. 

I am – perhaps unfortunately - afflicted with the passionate enthusiasm of someone who wishes to constantly be constructive and learn new skills, resulting in a large “half-finished-things-I-want-to-do” list. Before this past December ended, my main "professional life" projects included working on my line of green energy children’s toys, as well as developing some children's television shows and book ideas. However, due to some recent events, I am back at square one and without a plan. At first I was mildly terrified, but looking at the glass half full - I've finally been given the freedom to focus on what I was really passionate about in the first place - my "side projects"! Doing my "main projects" during quarantine helped me realize that I shouldn't underestimate my self worth, and that my ideas - once completed - are valuable. I have begun working on several writing projects that I am very excited about, and my goal is to tame my undisciplined self into completing them this year.

It’s been difficult for me to finally embrace and pursue my passion in the arts, as my whole “career” up until now has been defined by my inventions success in the science field. I have never seen myself as a “scientist,” because a) I don’t have a degree saying I am one, and b) I’ve always just loved being creative and making things with my hands and mind. I still enjoy inventing, but I felt a lot of pressure after high school to pursue science and engineering because it was what everyone expected and wanted me to do. It honestly completely scared me off from trying to make any inventions for a while, until recently... All my close friends from childhood have known for years that I have always loved film, and dreamt of pursuing directing, writing and acting.

Moving from my tiny town of Victoria to New York in June 2019 to begin studying acting was a big change, and I know there are a lot of people who have looked down on my choice. However, I would die unhappy if I did not try to pursue my love for film while I was young.

Q2. Why is it important to have ownership of, and to pursue your own ideas?

When I first read the word “ownership” I thought of patents since I own several for my different inventions. To get a patent takes many years, thousands of dollars, and discerning complicated legal wording – but I’m glad I fought (and am still fighting) for them.

If you have a burning desire to pursue those ideas in your head, go for it! Why sit around moping and not doing anything about them? Getting to make these ideas into something that is sitting in front of you is the best feeling in the world. By taking action and pursuing what you want to do, you can inspire others to pursue their passions, thus making their lives and the world happier. Isn’t that what we all want? We all need a purpose, and we all have one. One of the most difficult things to do is to cut through all the BS of people telling us what they think our purpose is, and to just do what we want. If it is something that you really love, you will not care what other people think about you when you’re doing it.

Q3. What would you say to individuals trying and struggling to move their own side projects forward? 

Nike says it best, “Just Do It”! Cut distractions, throw your phone across the room, isolate yourself (a great time to try it is right now), whatever it takes to start! The hardest part about writing for me is literally sitting down, putting my hands on the keyboard, and writing those first words. I will literally do ANYTHING to procrastinate the act of beginning writing - I clean the whole apartment, read, dance, watch pointless Youtube videos... All because I am too scared to write something sub-par that won't do justice to whatever story is floating around in my head. BUT once I begin writing, the words just flow out of my fingers. For projects in any area of study, it is best just to start somewhere, even if it isn't at the ideal place or with the ideal resources you might have imagined. Just begin writing, tinkering, developing, painting - whatever format you prefer - your ideas, and let the Creative Muse take you on its unpredictable journey. 

During the start of quarantine, I felt a bit lost and took a break from social media for a week and a half. I started the week off despondently, picking anxiously at the label on my jeans and yowling about how I had nothing to do. After a few days of battling my social media withdrawal symptoms, I started feeling better, lighter and happier. Sad to say, but I had completely forgotten who I was without Instagram and Twitter. I remembered what my priorities were, picked up old hobbies, plucked out my knee hairs (that’s when I was really bored), and read books. I encourage a healthy break of at least a week from social media. Allow yourself to clear your mind of the clutter. We feel this intrinsic need nowadays to know what everyone else is doing all the time and to let other people know what we are doing. Why? I really don’t need to share that I just went for a walk. Let me enjoy the walk alone! Maybe I’m just an introvert, or perhaps I’m Greta Garbo reincarnated, saying “I vant to be alone.”

< BY >