Lately I’ve been thinking about time. It’s going by so fast. I’m scared I’m going to miss something.
I remember worrying about July. I had two Renegade shows and I knew it would be a stressful month for me. July is now long gone, August too! And here I am in September, worrying about the amount of shows I applied to for the fall and winter months. The season has not even begun and I’m already asking myself if I took on too much.
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And I know as soon as those November and December shows have passed I’ll be saying, Damn it’s already almost January?! Shit, I need to make some Valentine’s!
What I am really really learning lately about owning a small business is that it’s never ending. There’s always something to do, or plan, or prepare for. But right now my brain doesn’t want to think about the holiday. I’ve tried to brainstorm ideas for Christmas cards. My mind is just not there yet.
When I had my day job, there wasn’t so much worry when I felt uninspired. But now, when I find some valuable free time that could be filled with drawing, yet don’t feel motivated to grab that pen and paper, it scares me a little.
I know it will come with time. Yes, I’m worried about being late with the holiday line. But one thing I have learned is to not force creativity. When my ideas don’t come naturally, I wait. It’s the only way to create the best product I can.
Side note, does this blog post make no sense or what? I’m talking about time going too fast and then talking about waiting for the “right time?” This is what happens when I write a blog post first thing in the morning with no coffee.
To sum up: I am stressed about taking on too much work. And I am stressed out about not finding the right time to design new products to therefore create more work.
Still not making sense.
Please excuse me while I go back some strong coffee.
Nope! I got it! Don’t worry about it! Makes sense! I make cards too for a living and sometimes inspiration seems to be out and about and no where to be seen…Breathe…go do something else…it will come home again soon enough! And about that time thing, I seem to say the same thing every day! Where the hell does it go anyway? Maybe I should do some shows too, does it really help to get known more? Have a great day! Michelle from Made in Happy
Nah, this all makes perfect sense. You’re absolutely right — creativity can’t be forced. But I think it can be inspired. When I’m needing a little, I usually find my way to an art museum, if I feel like writing, or an antique store, if I feel like jewelry-making. Sometimes just allowing yourself to play and stop worrying about work can help wonders. Good luck with the upcoming months — can’t wait to see what you come up with for xmas 🙂
Makes perfect sense to me.
I feel like “down time” or time my hands or brain isn’t otherwise engaged is a “waste” of time that I could be doing something productive or meaningful. Then I look at my project calendar with my job(s) calendar incorporated and I freak out that I won’t be able to do it all.
Strong coffee, for the win! If you’re back in the Bay, and haven’t already tried it, you should check out Philz Coffee. Good shit! It’s the only coffee these days that will do ANYTHING for me.
I learned a lot while working at my last company. It deals with artists and the creative world, and I did my fair share of research on the creative process – creative blocks. It seems there certainly isn’t just ONE way to surpass being uninspired but most suggest doing “exercises” or whatever it is that may spark it (getting out of the house, going for a walk, being creative in a different way). This is a good article w/some tips: http://goinswriter.com/when-youre-feeling-uninspired/ I love Jeff!
xoxo
one thing that bugs me about ‘retail’……..you’re always looking a season or two ahead which makes it hard to enjoy where you’re at. which is really what i’d like to do.
it makes sense! i stress about all these things too :).
it made sense to me– but probably because i’m right there with you.
Bet that coffee tasted extra good! lol And your post does make sense. It’s hard to force inspiration.
I COMPLETELY understand that feeling. But don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll get everything done! And once things have calmed down a little you’ll look back and feel such a sense of achievement that it will all be worth it 🙂
What I think about the time is that it is something we cannot collect for later use just like money or gold. If you do not use it now it is gone forever.
Sounds like an overloaded place to be in. It’s ok to take a breath.
What I usually do to overcome this, is brew myself a nice cup of something relaxing… maybe camomile tea, then sit down and write a list of all the ‘bookkeeping’ tasks I’ve got to get done. Then, I draw a line and below that write all the artsy tasks and ideas I want to work on, just as a reminder of what to think about. Most times out of ten, before I’m done all the bookkeeping tasks I’ve got many ideas of what to do about the artsy ideas.
When all else fails, I find inspiration from Pinterest! – or other etsy shops… or my favorite artists..
i feel like time is not enough for myself either..
– Janine
http://theeoptimist.blogspot.com
You hit the nail on the head, I always feel like when I get to the end of something I am working on, I will get this imaginary break. But, then the next thing has already come up, so you’re totally right! It’s never ending. Keep at it girl, you’ll have hoards of employees to do the leg work for you soon enough, then all you need to do is draw and be a funny betch. 😉
Like you said today, you found the perfect inspiration with all the fall and winter things out!!!! You did the right thing by waiting girl!
Ps I featured a two of your cards on my blog on 9/11. Just wanted to let you know in case you wanted to check it out. It matched the whole 9/11 tragedy like a charm.
That totally make sense. I am the same way with just about everything. And it’s really hard to get in Holiday spirit when it’s 90+ degrees out. Yeah, leggings forget it. Boot are out.
I hearya, and your blog post totally made sense. I’ve made piece with the fact that you can’t force creativity. For some reason, my creativity strikes between the hours of 10pm and 4am, that’s just when my mind thinks up ideas and I write my best blog posts. Just go with it, it’ll be great 🙂
Sandra
http://www.notesfromtheslife.com
Julie, Julie, Julie. You’re a rock star. Truly and sincerely. And I hope you know that. I want you to know that. I know you get stressed. You always do. But, Julie, you survive every time. Every time. You blow everyone out of the water and put together neat-looking displays. Your cards have personality, spunk, and character. They’re you–the displays, the cards, the business model, the blog … everything is “you” because you made it so. You don’t ever let yourself fail, Julie. You’re far too much of a perfectionist for that. 😉 I just hope you’re able to take a couple of breaths between all your shows so you don’t get too overwhelmed.