Deschooling Grownups

When we realize our life is not defined by our *formal education* but from life's experiences, joys, play... hobbies.  Here's a snippet of wisdom from one of my favorite sources, Sandra Dodd:

-=-Sometimes I want to embark on a project, and when people ask me why I'm doing it, it never seems to be enough to say: "Because I want to." -=-

But if you say "Because I'm..."
curious
interested
intrigued
 it looks fun

then I bet some of them would perk up and get it.

"To see if I can do it" is a common and real answer to such things. Why do some people build boats or airplanes or customize cars, or make guns and knives when they're for sale at Walmart?  (Comment good in some parts of the U.S. only, and few other places, I guess.)  Why would a woman enter a "sheep to shawl" competition?  It's a big challenge and curiosity.

It's a game.

It's play.

If you call yourself something that suggests that you are that thing and others aren't, it seems a way to be further isolated, not more connected. 
Because of the Society for Creative Anachronism, we've had lots of "reasons" to do things, but the real reason is always just to see if we can.  If I make a pie in a period manner instead of just buying one, it's not because it was cheaper or easier, that's for sure!  My husband has been carving wooden boxes, even though we don't NEED a box.  He's been giving some of them away and using some to hold the materials to make others. 

http://sandradodd.com/knotwork
One is there.

People who think that's cool usually have their own stories to share, and crafts and hobbies. Those who look blankly and can't imagine why anyone would want to do that aren't really our friends.  They've wandered by for some reason, and probably won't be invited back. 

If we *are* something that other adults aren't, it's just people with hobbies and projects.  There always have been people like that.  I don't see that coming up with a new word will help or change it.

Sandra