Acceptance

[NatureandNurture]

I am starting to accept that no soap batch, no matter how carefully I calculate or measure, is ever going to turn out the way I expect. As long as it's not too horrible, I'm okay with it.

I tried a coconut milk soap. Added the milk at trace and used a teak FO. When I cut them, the center of the soap is a really neat looking pale marbled green. It's very subtle, but really pretty.

 

[Saltysteele]

I hear ya, and I think your realization will lead you down a much happier path!

I've long ago figured out to try to expect in life, but rather accept. My wife is always trying to do things perfectly, whether it be sewing shirts or planning a party. She always ends up disappointed. I, on the other hand, just do what I can and accept the results. You won't catch me telling party guests what the part should have been like, or how a dish was supposed to turn out, either lol!!

Perfection is not possible on this earth. Life's easier once perfection is not the only acceptable result

I'm sure your soaps will turn out great, whether they turn out as you planned, or not

 

[holly99]

This is a hard lesson for me too. As far as I'm concerned, I've never made a good batch of soap but it's just me, not the soap!

 

[donniej]

In my former career I was a computer tech at an office building. I'd go to people's desks and zip through screens faster than they could read what they said... this inevitably got lots of comments about "how do you do that so fast"? To which I always replied "it's a piece of cake after you've done it a few hundred times"

Same deal with soap... 8)

 

[artisan soaps]

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[Guest]

It just takes time and patience , lots of patience .Soap does not have to look great to be a very good soap .


Kitn

 

[alwaysme07]

Sometime life has ways to teach us new things. I know I spent months reading on the subject before even starting and I still hope for the best.

 

[Milla]

Perfection is not possible on this earth. Life's easier once perfection is not the only acceptable result

I'll have to remember this. I get down on myself if a soap batch doesn't turn out....I'm depressed for hours if not the day! My husband says I'm way too hard on myself with everything. I want anything I do or make to be perfect! There's way more to life!

So.....in terms of soap making I've come to realize it's a journey and I'm learning every single day. Sometimes I move forward and sometimes I move backwards!

When you feel like you're moving backwards, it's time to dig out a very simple recipe, a tried and true FO and color, and soap a pretty soap!

 

[Vic1963]

My husband tells me I am my own worst critic, sometimes I worry over things that noone else would give a thought too...

I think it is an acomplishment to just be able to take oils and lye and make a bubble......lol. Even if it don't look good every time.

I bet all of your soap is great.....and I'd say everyone else who has tried it thinks it is great also !

Have fun on your soap making journey....its the mistakes you make now, that you will laugh at later

 

[raine]

I bet you are too hard on yourself. I'm new at this and I found out with each batch I learn something. I bet your soaps are not perfect but they are probally not bad either. How about posting some pics for critiquing, I found this forum to be very kind but honest too and maybe someone might be able to give you some insight to make your next batch better.

 

[Bnky]

natureandnurture: I've thought the same thing about some of my batches. Then I take a huge sampling of soaps to friends, relatives or acquaintances, and the soaps that I think are the ugliest, they like the best (go figure). Anyway, it's sounds like this batch you made ended up being better then expected...that's always fun! bnky

 

[emilaid]

I've also learned not to have any expectations on how my soap should turn out, that way every batch is a pleasant surprise

 

[vivcarm]

I have learnt that although it might not turn out like you plan you always learn loads by trying to work out why it happened in the first place and how can I make it better. And I have to admit I love learning almost as much as I love that first slice into a loaf of soap!

 

[carebear]

don't just accept it. pay attention, make systematic changes that you can learn from, and keep your eye on your goals.