As I'm getting back into the swing of things slowly, I've had some time here and there to bounce around on other creatives blogs and have noticed a growing trend on the notion of time in this new year. Not having enough of it and not being as creative as you'd hope to be with it. I thought I'd reaffirm this as something we all shouldn't be afraid of (even though I find that sentence being repeated over and over in my head). Honestly thats life... we have babies, work full time at something else, and start up businesses that need the mainstay of our time, love and tenderness in turn moving us farther and farther away from our little creative passions that we began with. I can tell you that I am one of those who blame the birth of my daughter and that pesky full time design job that I need to make a living from... yes, I would love to be a full time artist/crafter but I think I would miss my roll as a designer in the publishing industry as well. and my daughter of course has been the best thing thats ever happened to me (besides my marriage) and It would be literally impossible to take her back! lol
For a while I sat thinking that I was the only one with these creative roadblocks and kept asking myself why everyone else is on their way to creative happiness and I wasn't. I realized that a lot of those people were kidless and had the opportunity to focus fully on their work from day to day. I've grew to accept the fact that I am not that person and I never will be (well at least until Zoe is in college and on her own) so I have to do what I need to do at this point in my life and that is be a mother, a wife, and a designer first. I haven't decided what I will really do yet, I'm not sure if "time off" is necessary, maybe I'll get a new sketchbook and start small again and see where it takes me. At least I have the blog!
I think you're on the money. Just is, hey? I can't remember who said it or where it was said but it's not about a lack of time but what we choose to do with it.
ReplyDeleteThis rang very true with me. I was selling my photos for a while and it was gratifying to have (a few) people around the world like them enough to pay for them... but ultimately it took a lot of my time for very little return. I enjoy having somewhere to put my pictures but my blog provides that; I like my job and earn enough to pay the bills so making money or finding a new career wasn't a priority; I realised I would rather enjoy crafting for crafting's sake, without placing any more requirements on my time. I decided to take a step back (for now?) and feel calmer for it.
ReplyDeleteDid you just read my mind? I could have written this post exactly. You aren't alone in dealing with this stuff. I used to have a pretty successful blog and etsy shop, but pulled back when I got pregnant in early 2009 and now it's like none of it ever happened. I struggle every day to find some way back, but it's hard. Sometimes the internet makes me depressed, but tonight reading your post, I feel like it's ok to take it one day at a time.
ReplyDeleteThanks!! And Zoe is adorable!
I'm a new commenter but not a new follower. I saw this post today and I am proud of you. It's a really great thing to realize the uniqueness of your own life and to not compare yourself to others.
ReplyDeleteBesides doing something small everyday builds up to big things.
Your daughter is so lucky to have such a intelligent and compassionate woman to be her mother!
Best of luck, I'm sure we are all cheering for you!
Its hard to juggle it all. Keep your spirits up. You will find time for the things you love.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, your little kidlet is super cute!
Wonderful post and I share your sentiments. Thanks for sharing! x
ReplyDeleteThis is something I'm dealing with too; although I'm not a mother, there are still a lot of responsibilities in my life that feel like they're getting in the way of my business.
ReplyDeleteOf course we look up to the people that already 'made it', but it's so nice to hear from somebody more in the same spot as yourself how it is for them.
I hope I'm making sense :)
As a full-time working mom to a little one, this is really nice to read. So thanks. :)
ReplyDeleteTime is short, but also feeling tired after a day at work and taking care of toddler is another road block to thing, whatever those may be.
Adorable little girl by the way!