I am an all or nothing kind of girl. I've always thrown myself into everything I do, with a very strong desire to be successful and accepted by my peers. So when it comes to art, I have a really hard time leaving a project once I've started it. Let's be honest...I lack self-discipline. I become consumed with my creative process...
This doesn't always sit well with my husband, because the house becomes a disaster and the cooking doesn't always get done in a "timely" manner. I cause myself ungodly amounts of stress because I end up letting some of my daily responsibilities fall to the wayside, while I'm in "Mega Creative Mode". I tend to get really cranky with everyone around me when this happens and then comes the overwhelming sense of guilt and frustration over it all!!!
I know this is self-inflicted, but how does one organize their time to include God, Family, Friends, Exercise, Cleaning, Cooking, Grocery Shopping, Laundry and all the other household and family management type things...and still manage to complete art projects, remain inspired, learn new techniques, practice new techniques, blog, take workshops, maintain an online presence, manage their etsy or other art business etc...., make art tutorials (well you get my point...)? What's even worse for my ego is that I don't even work a regular job! I'm a stay at home mom, so I should be able to do this!!!
Well here is another one of my goals for this year...
Dig deep, find self-discipline and use it to create balance in life, so that success in art doesn't come at a price measured in stress and self loathing!
I'm really not that negative of a person, but in trying to stay honest here....I need some help in this department. Anyone have any resources or helpful tips and/or insight? I would love to hear from you!
At some point you'll probably realize you can't do it all. My kids are adults, so it's just me and my guy and I should be retired but the economy decided otherwise for me. I'm working an afternoon part time job for pay and babysitting my grand daughter in the mornings for love. I come home in the evenings very tired. Luckily hubby works in home office so he has dinner ready and he helps with the housework.
ReplyDeleteI've learned I have to let some fun things go, my blog suffers, I've dropped off Facebook except for a quick read once a day, my art waits for mostly weekends. And I've shifted to creating small pieces like ACEOs, tags, etc. A big help was getting my etsy shops filled to a suitable number.....for me that was around 25, (my crochet shop is waayyy under stocked but that's another story) now I feel less pressure. I take crochet with me to my grand daughters so I can work while she naps. That fulfills the creative urge without having to drag 5000 pieces of art material; journaling would do the same, one reason I'm taking Pam's class.
If you have an etsy shop, are you treating it like a job? Sometimes turning a hobby into money, one gets stuck back on hobby? I know mates can not be as understanding, especially when the profit doesn't justify the work, but if you are serious about making a profit, you need to treat art like a job, just like you do your domestic duties. I know because all through my 1st marriage I did not respect myself and my role enough to consider raising kids, housework,and shopping like a "regular job". It's not, it's even more important and translates into considerable payout if it wasn't you doing it! Elevate both positions as regular paying jobs and it may help you manage your time.
I surely understand and wishing you success!
Wow, thank you so much for putting the time and thought into this comment. Very good advice and insight. I don't have an Etsy shop yet, but it is a goal of mine to have one before the year is up. I need to work on some inventory first. Once again, thank you...it means a lot to me!
ReplyDeleteMy english isn´t so good, but I read your post with great feelings!
ReplyDeleteIt´s the same desaster I have ... home staying mom...so much time...but not enough ...same story!
We have to disziplin... you are so right!
I wish you a good year to get all in order ..we need this for our crative soul!
I thing etsy is a great stress... I don´t do that!
Thank you Susi, I wish I could speak German! Thank you for the well wishes. I went to your blog and saw that we really do have a lot in common! Yes, discipline.....well, I'll keep trying! Sometimes I'm on a roll with time management, and sometimes I'm not. It's an ongoing battle. Having the NEED to be creative gives me a lot of incentive to keep on fighting that battle though! Baby steps!
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