When I made the decision to pursue my art full time I knew that it would be a hard slog sometimes. I completely and totally understood in my mind, or at least thought I did, that when you are working for yourself you don't get to clock off at 5pm on a Friday, pour yourself a glass of something deliciously alcoholic and not think about 'work' until Monday morning. And let me clarify right up front that I am perfectly ok with that. More than ok in fact! I love it!
My thoughts for this post came from the fact that for today and yesterday I have not really done much at all in the way of work. I did some networking and a tiny amount of paperwork and receipts, but that was pretty much all and I actually felt guilty about it!
Looking after an almost 5 month old baby, plus another 4 children of varying ages, and the accompanying 'stuff' that goes along with them as well as keeping up with an online store, two blogs, making and stocking art and supplies for the recent fete stall and doing it all with an ankle tendon injury that just won't seem to get better makes for a very tired little artist here! And it occurred to me that the biggest reason I've been so exhausted is not all that stuff on it's own, rather the fact that there isn't any downtime to it.
We all know motherhood, especially to babies, is a 24/7 job and so is having your own business that you are trying to get off the ground! From the minute I first get up to feed the baby in the very early hours of the morning to the second my head hits the pillow at night, I'm thinking about how I can improve my business or what piece of art I'm going to make next! Me being me, well I don't just write the ideas down and wait till the next day: if I can possibly implement my idea there and then, I'll give it a go!
So the last couple of days have seen me on the couch having some much needed cuddle time with my baby and I've actually been feeling stressed that I'm not being productive enough. So that got me to thinking about how I really should schedule a day off every now and then and not feel like I need to 'be productive' every minute of every day. Not just to cuddle my babies, pat my dogs and talk to my husband, but to also get outside! This is what waits for me just 500 meters away from my front door....
I really should get outside and enjoy this gorgeous view more often! It really really is ok to give yourself a day off every now and then!!
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My thoughts for this post came from the fact that for today and yesterday I have not really done much at all in the way of work. I did some networking and a tiny amount of paperwork and receipts, but that was pretty much all and I actually felt guilty about it!
Looking after an almost 5 month old baby, plus another 4 children of varying ages, and the accompanying 'stuff' that goes along with them as well as keeping up with an online store, two blogs, making and stocking art and supplies for the recent fete stall and doing it all with an ankle tendon injury that just won't seem to get better makes for a very tired little artist here! And it occurred to me that the biggest reason I've been so exhausted is not all that stuff on it's own, rather the fact that there isn't any downtime to it.
We all know motherhood, especially to babies, is a 24/7 job and so is having your own business that you are trying to get off the ground! From the minute I first get up to feed the baby in the very early hours of the morning to the second my head hits the pillow at night, I'm thinking about how I can improve my business or what piece of art I'm going to make next! Me being me, well I don't just write the ideas down and wait till the next day: if I can possibly implement my idea there and then, I'll give it a go!
So the last couple of days have seen me on the couch having some much needed cuddle time with my baby and I've actually been feeling stressed that I'm not being productive enough. So that got me to thinking about how I really should schedule a day off every now and then and not feel like I need to 'be productive' every minute of every day. Not just to cuddle my babies, pat my dogs and talk to my husband, but to also get outside! This is what waits for me just 500 meters away from my front door....
I really should get outside and enjoy this gorgeous view more often! It really really is ok to give yourself a day off every now and then!!
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Oh my goodness! I am SO jealous of your view!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely okay to take some time off every once in a while just to refresh and regroup. I hope the break was helpful!
It definitely was! I feel much more refreshed and I'm excited about some new artwork today! And yeah.....it's a pretty awesome sight, but like anything I guess it's easy to take it for granted and not appreciate it as much as we should!
Deleteyou should schedule a weekend off (but not necessarily ON the weekend) every couple of weeks, no point saying take it every week because that just doesn't happen...but you do need to have two days off together, much more beneficial than one on it's own..
ReplyDeletexxx
Yeah, I know two days is more beneficial, but you know what it's like when you just have stuff you want to get done and you want it done now!! I remember you and Dad not taking many days off together and in a row when you were running the business!
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