Today I started back teaching for the Spring Semester. I really spent a lot of my vacation really pushing through lots of stuff, art wise and business. What I didn’t do is take any down time. Although I do love to make, and view it as relaxing, I think I overdid it a bit. I kind of collapsed Saturday night, and took it easy Sunday, but I’m really starting this semester behind the 8 ball. Add to that the fact that I’ve really been enjoying blogging on almost a daily basis, the blogs I’m writing in my head and not having time to get down on paper are stressing me OUT! And my Google reader – I won’t even talk about how many posts are sitting there unread!
But, some of the blogs I have been able to read have provided me with some much needed for thought on balance:
Heather Smith Jones and Lisa Call both have written very timely posts for me ( well, not just for ME personally, but they are timely to my state of mind…), please go take a look.
I’m going to try to take their advice. Have no fear, I’ll still be blogging and making, just at a slightly lower pace.
One more thing: my web guru scoutie girl has entered her post on trying to define indie craft & design in the WHATdesigners’ blog-off! This post is what really got me excited to define my mission and to try my best to describe why I do what I do in my Process section. I think it’s an inspirational piece of writing and would love it if you took a minute or two to vote in the contest! (Edit: this is one of the contests where people can vote more than once, so a couple entries got some crazy number of votes…the grand prize is a judged prize, so now we cross our fingers and hope that the judges this Tara’s writing is as awesome as we know it is!)
And because no post is complete without a picture:
6 Responses
I hear you re: not taking time for yourself. I managed to take 4 days completely off (including Dec. 23/24) and didn’t touch my computer or office. It felt great. So great, in fact, that I had a hard time going back to work. The difference in my own well being was wonderful, not to mention great for the family. I’m finding that I’m working at a slower pace (still faster than most) and leaving work behind my office doors.
It’s so hard, isn’t it? The most you can do is your best to get it right. I hired a babysitter one day a week just today. Not sure how the cost/benefit will come out in the end but for now, it’s worth it.
I can’t imagine how you or Scoutie Girl do all that you do! I don’t hold done a full time job outside the home ~ nor do I have a little one to take care ~ and heaven knows I don’t clean all day, but I never can get to even a fraction of what I want to do. I really need to buy some pretty journals and start making lists again!
I am right there with you. I have a full time job, 2 little ones, freelance to help our with finances and I need to be creative on a regular basis. Some days I wonder what is it all for but, then I remember that being a busy bee is what I want to do and makes me happy. Seeking balance is a never ending battle. My google reader stresses me out too – haha. I created folders and organized the blogs I follow so, I can just read “art” or just read “parenting” or whatever when the mood strikes. Good luck on your journey.