Regular readers of my blog will know that i have been on a path of self discovery of late, come to think about it when are we not discovering ourselves? Or on path to at least somewhere in our lives… I don’t think it will ever stop, i think that’s the point that’s why life is all about!
Anywho, i digress…., Part of my journey has been to try and find a happy balance life for myself where i can balance work, income, art, family, running a small business, feed my children, have some fun etc etc.
I often get asked how do you find the time for art ? The truth is I feel like i struggle constantly, but lately its been a “happy struggle” rather than a “stressed out mad struggle” because I am making time for the things I love and not so much of the things i dont! No more excuses!
how ? I don’t watch much tv, my house isn’t always particularly tidy or clean, i sometimes forget important dates, i sometimes don’t catchup with friends or take my kids to the park… its not that i don’t want those things i do, but i have decided that Art / Illustration is my dream and somtimes that is more important than the never ending housework , having a clean house, watching a movie etc etc.
That’s all well and good and particularly for anyone who has struggled with this you will know, it cant all be about me or art, the dishes still need to be done, the children need clean clothes i do have to pay the bills (grrr) and all those things that come with running a business still need doing… IÂ have identified a few things that i have been regularly doing that keep ORDER in this place and in my head and without them i think i would be lost, so i thought i would share.
Theres a few of them so i will break them up into 3 parts (in no particular order ) over the next week or so.
Formulas to help Work, Rest & Play – Part 1
1.Sleep - Sleep is so important, its something i can’t compromise on, but more importantly for me i have worked out a sleep pattern that works for me. I seem to be exhausted between 8.30 to 9pm. So if i need to work at night i restrict until no later than 8pm. Any later than that i have a very restless and disturbed nights sleep because my brain seems to keep “switched on” for the rest of the night and the next day i am wrecked. If i want to do art, then i allow myself to go until say around 9 as its more relaxing and i can still be restful. If i am really pressed for time i will generally prefer to wake up and do work in the middle of the night or very early morning to get things done. It just seems to work better for me, rather than working through it.
2. Journalling - I find if i am feeling overwhelmed, stressed or confused or depressed it means i should get my journal out. I just pick it up an write. It allows me to get all the stuff out of my head without having to commit to anything, worrying about consequences or anything overly much. It doesn’t have to make sense it can be completely random and always feel better for it later. It just feels like a release and even though i might not find a solution in my journal time itself it may come to me later on. This is a must for me lately particularly as my working life if here on my own it allows me to do a brain dump and just not have my head go around in circles.
3. Art / Drawing EVERYDAY - I tried the everyday matters challenge, i tried various sketch groups i find i don’t stick to it, as other things tend to get in the way, i seem to lose inspiration easily by trying to commit to the one process. What works for me is to generalize it under my category of being creative / artistic as long as i do that i am on a winner! So it might be digital illustration, sketching, working on a painting, working on a coloured pencil drawing, it might only be for 10mins it doesnt matter i have done it! Doing just that little bit often helps calm me, i feel like i am working towards my goal and i can then move onto whatever other task i have to do knowing i have rewarded myself with something.
4. Keeping ontop of the housework, taking the TIME for it & doing “A little bit OFTEN!”
I feel better when i have some order in my house and it looks nice, but it rarely stays tidy for longer than 30mins after a whole day of cleaning.  Its frustrating, but it has to be done. I have certain days i do housework, generally its on the weekends when i can’t “work” as the kids are around me, thats when i get stuck into it, but i also find if i do a bit during the week and try to keep it up then there is less to do on the weekends. So if this means taking that extra 20mins to put the washing on, tidy the kitchen after breakfast etc at the beginning of the day, i need to make sure i do that and not be distracted by all the other stuff that needs doing. No brainer stuff really.. but something i need to remind myself of and not get caught up in all the stuff i need to do.
Hope your finding these of interest, that’s it for part 1, more to come in part 2.
Belinda, you do an amazing amount – yes, keep these coming – we want to know all your secrets.
I do agree on the cleaning one, I have been doing that myself lately – it has worked really well. And the sleep too, I have to wind myself down with some reading before I try to sleep, or I just can’t settle. Speaking of which, it’s time to read!
Am glad you’re making more time for drawing/art Belinda, because look at the results of your art so far!
I find it so difficult to keep on top of housework as well – so many other things to do. I’d much prefer to work – housework confounds me most days (You mean I have to do this every day? Really? No, really?)
I recently bought 2 cupboards – one for the kids toys and one for homeschooling/my office stuff. It’s made so much difference. I crave storage.
Goodluck with everything!
GR8 Mate, Wish we had people like you in New Zealand too, this is valuable content!