looking for small successes
(and last call for free shipping!!)
Sometimes the end of the to-do list refuses to come. I’m currently experiencing this problem, even the things I have completed seem to be undoing themselves and so I find myself in a nasty deja-vu situation. It is tiresome! Not to mention, depressing. I find it difficult to continue with my happy mood when there has been some unaccomplishment in my day, or some missed opportunity, or some failed streak… I finally bailed on my hundred day project. The challenges of the days were just too many and there was no time to do every single thing! I have managed to keep up with my Duolingo and yesterday hit my 100th consecutive there, so that has to count for something. I find these “streaks” motivating, as I’m sure many people do- but they can be annoying too, and joyless. And then there’s the problem of re-starting once you’ve fallen off the band wagon. Today I was thinking there is actually no reason I can’t just pick back up on the hundred day project, why not?? But I don’t want to. I’m over it.
When it comes to making artwork after a long pause, some of these same feelings can come up. It can be hard to restart a thing you used to do. Maybe you feel like making something, but you don’t have ideas. Maybe you don’t want to pick up where you left off. Maybe you are afraid you aren’t good anymore. Sometimes, if I can’t face the blank white of the empty page, I trace a card or bowl to make a frame on my page. Those boundaries can be so much more approachable. Or, set a timer to free write for three minutes, a favorite from our creative fuel sessions and workshops. This is really Anna Brones' territory and has done me a world of good.
The main thing is finding some small way to recognize that you succeeded. There are so many things to bog us down, but hey, I managed to walk the dog and file my dad’s taxes! Success! Capitalism will tell you you must succeed to be worthwhile. I’m not saying that. I’m saying that we already succeed by doing what we do! If all that was today was smiling at someone in the grocery, great! Success! You did it! It’s a lesson that I keep having to learn again.
I’m feeling the success of finally being brave and making prints. It’s scary to spend a bunch of money up front, scary to not know if anyone will buy them, but I did it! I’m extending free shipping through the weekend, so if you want one of the four images head over there and purchase by Sunday night. I’m getting them signed and packed and really enjoying how they turned out!
Thanks for being here, occasionally!
Roshni
Roshni, your art is beautiful. I just got a print and a pair of earrings for my wife. She’s going to love them. Thank you for sharing your talents. 😉
The prints look so good! I too have abandoned the 100 day not even intentionally it just fell off the radar.. oh well I may yet hop back on ... or not. When things feel like they are going backwards I think about when the tide comes in it gets there eventually but it's not in one fell swoop. As always love your words.