Balancing Act I
It seems like I am constantly juggling many different activities at once. Keeping several balls in the air on any given day, trying not to drop the ball on anything important. I’m sure many people could say the same, as we all seem to lead such busy lives. But I think there is something about being self-employed that adds another level of craziness! In the past few weeks I have:
– entered four paintings into regional juried shows
– worked on a botanical painting
– made plans for some new mandala paintings
– completed a hand-lettered and decorated marriage certificate
– reupholstered two chairs
– cleaned out and re-organized my studio
– started a Facebook page for my art
– opened an Etsy shop
– edited photos of my art in Photoshop
– written blog posts
– worked on building this web site
These are just the art-related activities that I can remember. Of course there are always lots more mundane things too that take up my time. I’ve always been a compulsive list maker. It helps if I write down the things that I need to get done today, tomorrow, and later in the week. And it definitely helps to have a shopping list in hand when I go to the grocery store. I’m talking about a list written on real paper, with a real pencil, not a list typed into the notes on my smart phone! It also feels good to physically cross things off the list as I get them done. When the list starts looking too messy, or if I have to make major updates to the list, I get a clean piece of note paper and make a new one. I also make lists for more long term goals, such as ideas for artwork I hope to have finished for an exhibition later in the year, or the steps I need to take to market my work and increase sales.
Balancing Act II
When the items on my to-do list keep piling up, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, and finding balance can be an elusive thing. Sometimes there is too much paid work, sometimes not enough. Sometimes health or family concerns take over for a while and everything else has to be put on the back burner. Sometimes I feel incredibly motivated and productive, but on other days I waste too much time checking Facebook or watching Netflix. And my personal and work goals may at times be in competition with each other for my time and attention.
Then I ask myself “What is the most important thing right now?” Should I push myself harder to meet a goal, or do I need to give myself a break?” “If my life feels way out of balance, what are some things I can do to correct that?” It’s not a matter of achieving balance and then remaining perfectly still in order not to lose it. It’s more like a wild ride, leaning one way and then the other as I navigate curves and turns, feeling the wind in my face and knowing when to speed up or slow down.
