Conquering Challenges

2018 has been a busy, yet fulfilling year so far – and it is only March! As I mentioned in my last post, I started a new job! It has kept me busy and I’m thoroughly enjoying it so far. However, it is more fast paced than my last job, so instead of lots of downtimes, I’m staying busy. This means I don’t get time to draw during lunch and then come home and digitize my art. Instead, I’ve been coming home and walking with my little family and then relaxing – when I can!

I’ve actually been getting lots of Etsy jobs and helping other clients. I love this steady inflow so I can work on a variety of projects. I love meeting new people (even if it is just via email) and helping them get something together they want/need.

With these projects and the new job, I really started thinking about how I spend my time. Social media has become a time-suck and burden, and honestly, it just angers me most of the time. There is so much negativity on Facebook so I loved my little Instagram art community, but then that became daunting. When was I going to post? When was I going to have time to really look and comment on art? When was I going to find time to create MY art to share? I knew I needed a break – so about a week ago my husband and I decided to step back from social media. I can’t 100% because my job includes social responsibilities, but if it wasn’t work related, I deleted the app or logged out of the account. It has been refreshing.

Now that I have a little less to distract me, it is time to get to work! I’ve had new project requests lately, so I still haven’t found time to draw, but I also don’t want to force it. I sometimes feel like if I schedule time I’m obligated to draw or design, even if I’m “not feeling it” and that tends to lead to more frustration. So to find time to draw/design/create, I schedule it, but if I’m not feeling it, I walk away. What is the point of turning something you love into a frustrating experience? There is none. I want to enjoy life, enjoy work, and enjoy creating. So, with that said, I’m just going with the flow, creating when I can and helping clients as their requests come in. I love staying busy and doing things that excite me, so at this rate, I think 2018 will definitely be my year to bloom, find peace, and wander.