I hope you’re well. This question feels like the perfect way to get back into sharing again after an impromptu (but apparently necessary) break over the last couple of months…
What’s your biggest creative challenge right now?
For me, it’s learning how to pause but not quit. The last few months have completely sapped my energy for myriad reasons including an irritatingly lengthy chesty cough, a distinct lack of summery weather, and increased pressure at work. (Forever envious of those unicorn people who seem to find this whole adult-who-organises-their-life thing easy. How do they do that?!). So, I’ve had to focus on switching off, zoning out, and trying to do a bit (or a lot) less for a while and that’s honestly been more challenging than I expected. I didn’t expect to have no energy for the things that I know fill me up but I really just wanted to stare into space for a while. Maybe I was on the edge of - or experiencing - a burnout but, whatever the reason, I’ve felt drained and uninspired despite having lots of notes and ideas.
I planned to write outside in the garden all summer, to live like a full-time writer and create a healthy bank of letters and voice notes, to start work on a course I’ve been pondering over, and to develop an idea I have for a podcast; at the same time I imagined the chance to complete renovation projects, overhaul my exercise routine (for this please read “complete lack of any consistent movement whatsoever”), read all the books, do all the skin care and generally become a Pinterest version of myself by the end of my six week break. Easy - all that time! Surely it was realistic since I’d be on holiday with nothing else to do?! Eh…no.
Hilariously, and surprising no one but me, hardly any of the above has happened and my Shetland summer has looked more like watching old TV shows on repeat, deleting items from my to-do list, slowly getting my energy back after illness, and generally lounging about feeling guilty about not using the time better. I’m a lot like this guy at the best of times but especially just now:
Now, as if trying to get the brain to concentrate on writing again is not enough of a hurdle, there’s the social awkwardness of trying to pop up here and say hello after some time away. That’s feels even trickier when I’ve still not settled on a publishing schedule, have a soundtrack of imposter syndrome, perfectionism and comparison-itis on repeat, and have just caught another cough. (It always seems to be less hot girl walks and more tired girl coughs over here.) Part of me wants to turn up like nothing has happened but that feels a bit disingenuous and we’re nothing if not honest here, right? So, please consider this post me standing nearby with a tentative smile-grimace and a quick wave to see if you’d still like to be friends.
Okay, let me know in the comments how you’d answer this questions and, as usual, if you’ve got some ideas and tips for me - or each other - share them in the comments!
I’m glad to be here talking to you again and I’m even more glad that you’ve stuck around for the conversation.
After retiring from my job in December, I laid on the sofa for two months, ate chips and watched reruns of comfort shows. This was not my regular routine. Your body will make you slow down, if you don’t choose to do so. The best thing to do is be kind to yourself.
I recognise that idealised planning/reality slump sooo much! And agree with Lisa: “your body will make you slow down”, frustrating, but necessary 😏. Take care.
Letting go of this idea that I don't have enough time to write all the things I would want to is the biggest challenge that I have been facing. It's time to make friends with time, I think!
I think you're right about the foggy path - glad we're all finding each other again! Definitely feeling better just need to keep pacing myself which is so tricky. Doing my best though, as we all are! x
I think you summed it up perfectly with “learning how to pause and not quit”. I love that phrase -thank you. My summer plans have also been wiped out by a debilitating cough which seems to be a repeat of my winter months. So I’m working on listening to my body and resting until to don’t need to rest so much and have some reserves.
Sooo I checked the calendar and see that this is the month of August. I think there is a law somewhere. We are “allowed” to slow down. In fact, you described my feelings and outlook to my writing goals perfectly! Kinda weird. Enjoy your time doing whatever, and remember the words of Stephen King: the boys in the basement are always at work!
Glad to see you back, and slowing down is A Good Thing.
Creative challenge? Reading all the wonderful stuff on here from writers who I want to write like, knowing I'll never be as erudite, or well-read, or able to turn such phrases. Sometimes it's overwhelming. But then, sometimes it's inspiring...
Thanks, June! Glad to be back. I know exactly what you mean about the reading / comparison etc. Sometimes I have to stop reading and just write in a bubble for a while to find my own voice, y'know?
Might it be that you have long Covid. Your symptoms sound like my husband's. Heart and lung tests reveal nothing. It has been a year, since his second bout with Covid, that he has been exhausted. This is not a normal tiredness, he is exhausted.
Hi Davey! I don't have long covid, no, but I know people who are stills suffering with it and it's a hard road back to health. Hope your husband is back to himself soon!
Welcome back, Charlene. I've missed reading your posts greatly.
My creative challenge for the past three weeks has been this: i want to learn how to draw human figures but can't seem to muster up enough courage to even download some samples from Pinterest. I've been struggling with figuring out why i haven't been able to do this so far.
Hi Negar! Hope you're able to experiment with drawing human figures - I'd say maybe you need to just let yourself play and have fun with it, no pressure, just enjoy making shapes. ☺️
Honest answer? Time and energy. Solution? I don’t think I have any more of an idea than you, other than be gentle with yourself because sometimes we just need time to ‘be’.
It also occurred to me that I'm probably not very good at protecting my energy levels. If I stop and think, I can picture those people and things who sap my energy, those who take far more than they give. I'm slowly coming to realise that this is something I need to work harder at: energy preservation if such a thing exists.
My biggest creative challenge is feeling like I’m not quite good enough for this new space on Substack. I make a lot of mistakes with my writing and I overthink and censor a lot and although I’m so excited to be here I’m also definitely having imposter syndrome.
Ooh, I so relate to this feeling - I think most of use here do! Imposter syndrome is so real. You're definitely good enough to be here, though, you're already a writer you're just doing it in a new place. Also, I love that you can edit the posts afterwards, I always spot at least one sentence I want to change after sending it out. 🙈
You might check out the book “: a Journal for Bright, Creative, Highly Sensitive People Forging Their Way” by Lori Cangilla. It sounds like you’ve got yourself in a knot which is sapping your motivation and ability to think clearly. This book might help you along.
Ha! That meme is a keeper! For me, I tell myself "it's just 5 minutes" to do whatever. That gets me going onto something more often than not. But honestly I don't think we (Americans) rest enough. We need time away from Crazy Busy.
It's great, isn't it? The pained smile. 😆 I love that idea of just doing 5 minutes to get started! And agree, rest is rebellious at this point in society.
I have long covid/me/cfs so I am in forced rest. I learned very recently (this past 2 weeks) that if I over do it, I risk really, really, harming myself and will not be able to do anything for a very long period of time.
So: health doesn't stop me, it slows me. I have learned to just let myself slow down. There isn't another choice. (It also turns out to be a rather nice way to live once you figure it out. Not that I wouldn't trade it for being healthy in a second, but I'd love to be healthy with this knowledge.)
My second creative challenge is trying to get an online home where I'm not worried about AI scooping up all my hard work, having a snack, and burping it out as fake art. It's actually a pretty tough space to be right now, being an artist, because the places where you could make money are either hard to break into the algorithm (here too) or have said they'll use your work and if you don't agree to it, they harrass you (Instagram.) I don't know what to do. But I'll keep making art either way.
I so agree w/ everyone , in answer to my creative challenge - it’s me ! I too can’t seem to “ get into it “ - I had to “ suddenly retire “ during COVID- being a psych RN , my age , health issue ( asthma, hypothyroidism) and a son with severe Crohns it was a no choice. Although I didn’t initially welcome retirement - was planning on retiring at 70- so it was an early 3 yrs, our family tired ( very well I must say) to make the best of it . We got busy !! Worked on the house, painting, remodeling, began baking (YAY!) breads, making as many foods from scratch - which I do continue to do. Reading all those books ! Gardening ! Exercising - we were busy . However our son was back and forth to hospital, as things opened up , more challenges came to us - our dear Siberian Husky died very suddenly , my brothers health became very fragile, as did 2 of my brother in laws, and one recently passed ( April 24) and the hardest I was diagnosed w/ breast cancer August 23. I continued to try - really focusing on my health, and doing those “ things I always wanted to do” . Some I’ve done - some not . I too feel just tired - I’m waiting oh so patiently for my never ending energy to return. I a learning to just listen to my body, trying to not beat myself up with all the “ should “- maybe we women need to practice this more often! Sorry for length - please take care all - dis miss you Charlene ❤️
I've missed you and your lovely Shetland accent. I also feel your pain ... deeply! I too have battled a deep-chested bout of bronchitis, brought on by whatever nasties I've picked up from hugging my grands. They are the only joys in my life right now. Our summer weather has been hotter and stickier than ever. Hoowoodathunk the Great Basin would be so muggy? Even the flowers and everything we've planted or tried to foster in our gardens has shrivelled. Thank goodness, writing for my substack page has been beneficial to my mood, sharing life with a bunch of really awesome creatives. And somehow, I've been able to draw from my archives of writings from a (very) old website now defunct as well as having lots of new ideas pop up. Another hoodathunk! And now YOU'RE back. You may feel your break didn't meet your expectations, but apparently it evolved into something you actually needed. I hope you will be able to sustain the rest you've had. Welcome back!
My biggest creative challenge right now: trying to return to the Substackverse after my own extended hiatus, thanks to Long Covid "2.0" rewiring more of my brain and the death of one of my Priestess sisters, which my circle has been processing individually and collectively. Life On Life's Terms is no joke!
I think you have a wonderfully supportive readership who understands the complexities of your situation. Don't worry what we might think! We're all rooting for you.
To answer your question, my biggest creative challenge is cadence - I write weekly, which is doable, but i'm not able to explore topics in quite the depth I normally would if I wrote every other week. But I like the idea of showing up in people's inboxes on a weekly basis. And weekly keeps my word count down...
Hello Charlene…yes we are definitely still friends!! It’s lovely to see this Thread pop up, I think you are doing beautifully at listening to and honouring your body and creativity. It is absolutely normal and natural to have ebbs and flows and to have longer fallow periods, especially when your body/mind is needing to prioritise other things. It doesn’t mean that you are not doing anything, things will be percolating and finding roots under the surface as you rest/take time to simply be as much as possible. And you must be gentle on yourself as you work through the challenges you mention.
My biggest challenge right now is, all the dreams and ideas but not enough time/space/energy to make them happen. A bit like you say, overwhelm at where to start and then not getting very far with anything. Perhaps I need to trust in the slower pace and the process xx
Do something regularly but with flexible effort. I do a A6 daily journal. I sometimes use stickers. Some days I literally write a handful of words and stick some stickers. Some days I do more. Sometimes I miss a day and then sometimes I do multiple pages at once. But I still feel like I'm creating regularly and its ideas that might end up being more when I have capacity. Small steps - anything is better than nothing.
It’s lovely to see you back again Charlene, I think, especially in todays ever moving climate of ‘having to achieve something/anything’ we have to listen to our body - if it says NO then no it is! It’s unlikely to be a forever no just the time it takes to recuperate a little lost force… and to be running again at optimal speed, which, of course is different for us all.
I am always in top gear, a state which gives me little time for creative outlet, I guess that’s my personal challenge - making time for everything! It’s never going to happen though so I try to just go with the flow…. and in the end, that’s important too… we are not designed to be robots, if we try the nuts and bolts always comes loose…
Just get well lovely, create when you feel inspired and capable, otherwise it’s just another loose bolt! X
I’m honestly grateful for anyone taking a break over summer because I am so behind on reading newsletters! Somehow every year I forget that I won’t have much time for the online world in summer. Needless to say, my biggest struggle right now is consistency. I’m so darned good at procrastination.
Thanks Charlene for your suggestion. What you said made me realize i've neglected my inner child a lot lately. While i draw sth, i need to let my inner child step into the spotlight, not my inner adult.
Hard relate. If it helps at all, I am only just reading this today because I am so behind with my Substack reading, and yesterday I posted my first post in more than two months. (And yes I've had the lengthy chesty cough too which started with Covid and then almost seamlessly blended into a subsequent general lurgy). I spent a couple of days recently getting very stressed about how 'behind' I am with everything, but then had a revelation that nearly all my pressing deadlines are self-imposed. Literally no-one else cares that the kitchen still needs decorating after being refitted in June, the ivy has started growing back on the garage or that I haven't posted any printmaking process videos on Instagram lately. I also feel awkward about popping up on Substack again, but resolved to spend half an hour this morning reading posts and maybe even being brave enough to post in Notes. This was the first thing I read - it was meant! Yours in procrastinating solidarity, Jane.
I’m completely with you there. I have struggled to find any impetus to create, even though I signed up for a long online course. I have ideas for a piece that I want to make but so far have just chopped up a little cardboard box to make the maquette and left it in my studio where I can’t see it. I also keep telling myself to follow an exercise program but by the time I’ve walked the dog my energy has gone. I’m going to be kinder to myself and go slowly into the next thing. Welcome back and I’m glad I found you here
Thank you for being honest. It reminds me that I also have permission not to be perfect. Which I forget so often I should consider tattooing it on my face.
I heard someone say “expectations are premeditated disappointment” and I think we are all guilty of putting expectations on everything- ourselves, others, life.
Sometimes questions help me sort through the muck:
Is it a perspective shift you need?
Is there room for child-like curiosity on how or why things are unfolding as they are?
Are we supposed to feel like we’re “on track” or “have it figured out” or is the point (at least right now) one of those annoying times when the lesson is finding peace in the unknown? ❤️
For me it's questioning whether I actually have the talent for the creative things I enjoy, writing, photography and film making.
I've been sharing for the past 3 years and it often feels like it's gone nowhere and why am I bothering at all. Just have to keep reminding myself I enjoy doing these things and if there is only a small community of people who engage with the things I put out there then that is ok.
You had the same cough my partner had. It makes you physically exhausted! It wasn’t you. It was the cough. Sadly we live in a society where we take on so much and feel bad if we don’t do more. Take the break. Slow and gentle progress is still very much progress 😊
After retiring from my job in December, I laid on the sofa for two months, ate chips and watched reruns of comfort shows. This was not my regular routine. Your body will make you slow down, if you don’t choose to do so. The best thing to do is be kind to yourself.
Welcome back. X
Thanks, Lisa! Totally agree - sometime the body just knows best, doesn't it?
I recognise that idealised planning/reality slump sooo much! And agree with Lisa: “your body will make you slow down”, frustrating, but necessary 😏. Take care.
Thanks, Sue, trying my best to lean into it and go easy. 🤍
Letting go of this idea that I don't have enough time to write all the things I would want to is the biggest challenge that I have been facing. It's time to make friends with time, I think!
Ooh, I know what you mean!
I try reaffirming to myself that I have all the time in the world to pursue all forms of writing. It's working :)
It’s like I could have written this myself. Also about to take tentative steps back from the edge of a two month void.
Maybe we collectively got sucked down the same foggy path (there are others too) and just couldn’t see each other?
I hope you’re beginning to feel better, lingering illnesses are the worst.
Good to have you back. X
And actually in answer to your question - picking something to finish. So many started and abandoned projects / dreams!
Oh I know this feeling sooo well! My drafts folder overflows - and we won't even mention the graveyard of projects in my house. 🙈 x
I think you're right about the foggy path - glad we're all finding each other again! Definitely feeling better just need to keep pacing myself which is so tricky. Doing my best though, as we all are! x
I think you summed it up perfectly with “learning how to pause and not quit”. I love that phrase -thank you. My summer plans have also been wiped out by a debilitating cough which seems to be a repeat of my winter months. So I’m working on listening to my body and resting until to don’t need to rest so much and have some reserves.
So many horrible bugs around, I hope you're feeling better soon. Right there with you on the balance with rest!
Sooo I checked the calendar and see that this is the month of August. I think there is a law somewhere. We are “allowed” to slow down. In fact, you described my feelings and outlook to my writing goals perfectly! Kinda weird. Enjoy your time doing whatever, and remember the words of Stephen King: the boys in the basement are always at work!
Ha! Thank you for that reminder, Elyse - it's so funny how easy it is to forget we have permission to pause when we need to, isn't it? x
Glad to see you back, and slowing down is A Good Thing.
Creative challenge? Reading all the wonderful stuff on here from writers who I want to write like, knowing I'll never be as erudite, or well-read, or able to turn such phrases. Sometimes it's overwhelming. But then, sometimes it's inspiring...
Thanks, June! Glad to be back. I know exactly what you mean about the reading / comparison etc. Sometimes I have to stop reading and just write in a bubble for a while to find my own voice, y'know?
Yup.
The more of us who take time out and then speak about it, the better for all of us! So thank you for this ☺️
Thank you, Kate! That's such a good way to think about it. ❤️
Might it be that you have long Covid. Your symptoms sound like my husband's. Heart and lung tests reveal nothing. It has been a year, since his second bout with Covid, that he has been exhausted. This is not a normal tiredness, he is exhausted.
Hi Davey! I don't have long covid, no, but I know people who are stills suffering with it and it's a hard road back to health. Hope your husband is back to himself soon!
Welcome back, Charlene. I've missed reading your posts greatly.
My creative challenge for the past three weeks has been this: i want to learn how to draw human figures but can't seem to muster up enough courage to even download some samples from Pinterest. I've been struggling with figuring out why i haven't been able to do this so far.
Hi Negar! Hope you're able to experiment with drawing human figures - I'd say maybe you need to just let yourself play and have fun with it, no pressure, just enjoy making shapes. ☺️
Honest answer? Time and energy. Solution? I don’t think I have any more of an idea than you, other than be gentle with yourself because sometimes we just need time to ‘be’.
Ha! Think we're all living the same writer life, right?! Agree on time to "be" - really trying to do the same.
It also occurred to me that I'm probably not very good at protecting my energy levels. If I stop and think, I can picture those people and things who sap my energy, those who take far more than they give. I'm slowly coming to realise that this is something I need to work harder at: energy preservation if such a thing exists.
My biggest creative challenge is feeling like I’m not quite good enough for this new space on Substack. I make a lot of mistakes with my writing and I overthink and censor a lot and although I’m so excited to be here I’m also definitely having imposter syndrome.
Ooh, I so relate to this feeling - I think most of use here do! Imposter syndrome is so real. You're definitely good enough to be here, though, you're already a writer you're just doing it in a new place. Also, I love that you can edit the posts afterwards, I always spot at least one sentence I want to change after sending it out. 🙈
You might check out the book “: a Journal for Bright, Creative, Highly Sensitive People Forging Their Way” by Lori Cangilla. It sounds like you’ve got yourself in a knot which is sapping your motivation and ability to think clearly. This book might help you along.
Thanks for sharing, Monica. :)
Hope you feel better soon Charlene. Sending hugs xx
Thank you!
Ha! That meme is a keeper! For me, I tell myself "it's just 5 minutes" to do whatever. That gets me going onto something more often than not. But honestly I don't think we (Americans) rest enough. We need time away from Crazy Busy.
It's great, isn't it? The pained smile. 😆 I love that idea of just doing 5 minutes to get started! And agree, rest is rebellious at this point in society.
I have long covid/me/cfs so I am in forced rest. I learned very recently (this past 2 weeks) that if I over do it, I risk really, really, harming myself and will not be able to do anything for a very long period of time.
So: health doesn't stop me, it slows me. I have learned to just let myself slow down. There isn't another choice. (It also turns out to be a rather nice way to live once you figure it out. Not that I wouldn't trade it for being healthy in a second, but I'd love to be healthy with this knowledge.)
My second creative challenge is trying to get an online home where I'm not worried about AI scooping up all my hard work, having a snack, and burping it out as fake art. It's actually a pretty tough space to be right now, being an artist, because the places where you could make money are either hard to break into the algorithm (here too) or have said they'll use your work and if you don't agree to it, they harrass you (Instagram.) I don't know what to do. But I'll keep making art either way.
I so agree w/ everyone , in answer to my creative challenge - it’s me ! I too can’t seem to “ get into it “ - I had to “ suddenly retire “ during COVID- being a psych RN , my age , health issue ( asthma, hypothyroidism) and a son with severe Crohns it was a no choice. Although I didn’t initially welcome retirement - was planning on retiring at 70- so it was an early 3 yrs, our family tired ( very well I must say) to make the best of it . We got busy !! Worked on the house, painting, remodeling, began baking (YAY!) breads, making as many foods from scratch - which I do continue to do. Reading all those books ! Gardening ! Exercising - we were busy . However our son was back and forth to hospital, as things opened up , more challenges came to us - our dear Siberian Husky died very suddenly , my brothers health became very fragile, as did 2 of my brother in laws, and one recently passed ( April 24) and the hardest I was diagnosed w/ breast cancer August 23. I continued to try - really focusing on my health, and doing those “ things I always wanted to do” . Some I’ve done - some not . I too feel just tired - I’m waiting oh so patiently for my never ending energy to return. I a learning to just listen to my body, trying to not beat myself up with all the “ should “- maybe we women need to practice this more often! Sorry for length - please take care all - dis miss you Charlene ❤️
I can so relate. And I think the only tip I have for you is to do less, and to do it wholeheartedly.
I've missed you and your lovely Shetland accent. I also feel your pain ... deeply! I too have battled a deep-chested bout of bronchitis, brought on by whatever nasties I've picked up from hugging my grands. They are the only joys in my life right now. Our summer weather has been hotter and stickier than ever. Hoowoodathunk the Great Basin would be so muggy? Even the flowers and everything we've planted or tried to foster in our gardens has shrivelled. Thank goodness, writing for my substack page has been beneficial to my mood, sharing life with a bunch of really awesome creatives. And somehow, I've been able to draw from my archives of writings from a (very) old website now defunct as well as having lots of new ideas pop up. Another hoodathunk! And now YOU'RE back. You may feel your break didn't meet your expectations, but apparently it evolved into something you actually needed. I hope you will be able to sustain the rest you've had. Welcome back!
Use an audio journal and replay it for recall of those brilliant revelations. Good to see you back here, Charlene 💕
My biggest creative challenge right now: trying to return to the Substackverse after my own extended hiatus, thanks to Long Covid "2.0" rewiring more of my brain and the death of one of my Priestess sisters, which my circle has been processing individually and collectively. Life On Life's Terms is no joke!
I think you have a wonderfully supportive readership who understands the complexities of your situation. Don't worry what we might think! We're all rooting for you.
To answer your question, my biggest creative challenge is cadence - I write weekly, which is doable, but i'm not able to explore topics in quite the depth I normally would if I wrote every other week. But I like the idea of showing up in people's inboxes on a weekly basis. And weekly keeps my word count down...
And I guess I always fear I'll run out of ideas!
Your honest and real post makes me want to be your friend even more! I've missed your writing. We're here when you're ready 🤗
Hello Charlene…yes we are definitely still friends!! It’s lovely to see this Thread pop up, I think you are doing beautifully at listening to and honouring your body and creativity. It is absolutely normal and natural to have ebbs and flows and to have longer fallow periods, especially when your body/mind is needing to prioritise other things. It doesn’t mean that you are not doing anything, things will be percolating and finding roots under the surface as you rest/take time to simply be as much as possible. And you must be gentle on yourself as you work through the challenges you mention.
My biggest challenge right now is, all the dreams and ideas but not enough time/space/energy to make them happen. A bit like you say, overwhelm at where to start and then not getting very far with anything. Perhaps I need to trust in the slower pace and the process xx
Do something regularly but with flexible effort. I do a A6 daily journal. I sometimes use stickers. Some days I literally write a handful of words and stick some stickers. Some days I do more. Sometimes I miss a day and then sometimes I do multiple pages at once. But I still feel like I'm creating regularly and its ideas that might end up being more when I have capacity. Small steps - anything is better than nothing.
It’s lovely to see you back again Charlene, I think, especially in todays ever moving climate of ‘having to achieve something/anything’ we have to listen to our body - if it says NO then no it is! It’s unlikely to be a forever no just the time it takes to recuperate a little lost force… and to be running again at optimal speed, which, of course is different for us all.
I am always in top gear, a state which gives me little time for creative outlet, I guess that’s my personal challenge - making time for everything! It’s never going to happen though so I try to just go with the flow…. and in the end, that’s important too… we are not designed to be robots, if we try the nuts and bolts always comes loose…
Just get well lovely, create when you feel inspired and capable, otherwise it’s just another loose bolt! X
I’m honestly grateful for anyone taking a break over summer because I am so behind on reading newsletters! Somehow every year I forget that I won’t have much time for the online world in summer. Needless to say, my biggest struggle right now is consistency. I’m so darned good at procrastination.
Thanks Charlene for your suggestion. What you said made me realize i've neglected my inner child a lot lately. While i draw sth, i need to let my inner child step into the spotlight, not my inner adult.
Hard relate. If it helps at all, I am only just reading this today because I am so behind with my Substack reading, and yesterday I posted my first post in more than two months. (And yes I've had the lengthy chesty cough too which started with Covid and then almost seamlessly blended into a subsequent general lurgy). I spent a couple of days recently getting very stressed about how 'behind' I am with everything, but then had a revelation that nearly all my pressing deadlines are self-imposed. Literally no-one else cares that the kitchen still needs decorating after being refitted in June, the ivy has started growing back on the garage or that I haven't posted any printmaking process videos on Instagram lately. I also feel awkward about popping up on Substack again, but resolved to spend half an hour this morning reading posts and maybe even being brave enough to post in Notes. This was the first thing I read - it was meant! Yours in procrastinating solidarity, Jane.
I’m completely with you there. I have struggled to find any impetus to create, even though I signed up for a long online course. I have ideas for a piece that I want to make but so far have just chopped up a little cardboard box to make the maquette and left it in my studio where I can’t see it. I also keep telling myself to follow an exercise program but by the time I’ve walked the dog my energy has gone. I’m going to be kinder to myself and go slowly into the next thing. Welcome back and I’m glad I found you here
Thank you for being honest. It reminds me that I also have permission not to be perfect. Which I forget so often I should consider tattooing it on my face.
I heard someone say “expectations are premeditated disappointment” and I think we are all guilty of putting expectations on everything- ourselves, others, life.
Sometimes questions help me sort through the muck:
Is it a perspective shift you need?
Is there room for child-like curiosity on how or why things are unfolding as they are?
Are we supposed to feel like we’re “on track” or “have it figured out” or is the point (at least right now) one of those annoying times when the lesson is finding peace in the unknown? ❤️
For me it's questioning whether I actually have the talent for the creative things I enjoy, writing, photography and film making.
I've been sharing for the past 3 years and it often feels like it's gone nowhere and why am I bothering at all. Just have to keep reminding myself I enjoy doing these things and if there is only a small community of people who engage with the things I put out there then that is ok.
You had the same cough my partner had. It makes you physically exhausted! It wasn’t you. It was the cough. Sadly we live in a society where we take on so much and feel bad if we don’t do more. Take the break. Slow and gentle progress is still very much progress 😊