Hello everyone! I hope you are having a relaxing Sunday x No more masks to walk the dog! That's got to be the best news!
I have been sitting this morning contemplating the day ahead and realised it is Sunday! Sundays have become a bit of a blur don't you think. Unless you are back to a 'regular' working week, back in the office we can almost forget what day of the week it is. Because I work part time in another business (3 days a week from home) and then on my own art practice the other days of the week, it can often feel like there is no break. That is self-inflicted I know, but it has felt more so since lockdown this year, don't you think? I always used to dream of working from home and escaping the work routine, working to my own schedule, but too much of a good thing can often do us more harm than good. I kinda miss the weekends...that time that you used to look forward to really relaxing and doing fun things. For me these days it seems I need to schedule in fun things and that work mindset is often hard to escape...that wasting time feeling...that what should I be doing to keep things going feeling, even when I am having fun. I have other friends who are freelance or run their own businesses that have expressed the same feelings. I know this is only a small problem to have in the grand scale of world problems right now, but have I been reflecting the past week on these anxious feelings and feelings of overwhelm and wondering how I can get past them or even just acknowledge them.
BEATING A SCARCITY MINDSET
I think I have always had a scarcity mindset when it comes to money and security. One of my biggest fears is not having enough money to survive. In reality I know that this worrying has mostly been a waste of energy. I have been lucky enough in my life to have always had enough to survive. It is true I didn't grow up in a wealthy family and I was always aware, though it was never talked about, that my parents always had to slightly struggle to make ends meet. Nothing was wasted and treats were always appreciated. Even though I have been through phases in my life where I definitely did have more than enough money to survive I never escaped that fear that it might all disappear at any moment.
When my marriage broke down 5 years ago one of my biggest fears was my inability to earn enough money to survive. I hadn't had a 'proper' job for years after raising 3 children and working on my art practice and creative projects on the side. I really did panic that I might end up living on the streets. I read an article at that time that said the fastest growing demographic of people who were now homeless were middle aged women who had no income after marriage breakdown that also reinforced this fear.
Five years on I am happy to say that my life is good in so many ways. I have a lovely home with my partner, that has a fantastic studio out the back. I have a wonderful part-time job and my art practice has grown from strength to strength in that time. It could be said that this scarcity mindset has helped motivate me to step out of my comfort zones to make this all happen, and I would agree, but it would be nice at some point to be able to relax a little, breathe and take in this view...especially on a Sunday morning! :)
This week I found ways of dealing with the overwhelm that really helped me get my head back to a more relaxing place to be. I wrote my morning pages...I think I have mentioned these in previous blog posts, but in summary they are 3 pages of notes that you write at the beginning of the day, basically just brain dumping all that is going on in your head. Getting all those thoughts out there really helps to clarify why you are feeling what you are feeling and clears space. I found some inspiring podcasts to listen to...I follow some great podcasts and I often choose a random episode that often co-incidentally has a relevant message that I need to hear. I am reading some inspiring books and I also write a list of jobs that I want to get done during that week. These are often niggling tasks, but I swallow the frog and just get a few out of the way.
What I am loving this week x
WHAT I AM READING
Soul Modes by Carlie Maree
I have been reading this great book this week, after a friend recommended it. Though it may sound a bit woo woo from the description below, I have found the concepts interesting and calming. It talks about how it's normal for women to have ebbs and flows of energy, emotion and enthusiasm. All you have to do is learn what they are, what they mean, how to track them and how to hack them so that you always feel good. Worth a read at Only $2.84 on Kindle!
Soul Modes is a declaration of the hidden magic that resides inside all women. It is a manual for doing life in a way that feels good, a way that honours our natural nature and a way that enables us to truly thrive. Women the world over are fighting against the tide, rather than riding our own waves.
WHAT I AM LISTENING TO - PODCAST EPISODES OF THE WEEK X
How do we know we are doing it right? - Happy Place with Fearne Cotton. Loved this episode with Pandora Sykes. What if all the work we're doing on ourselves is part of the problem? Sykes has been wrestling with our obsession with wellness to see if we are taking it all a bit too seriously. Take a listen here
Money is only important if you know why you want it - The Unmistakeable Creative. I also loved this episode with Grant Sabatier. What kind of life do you want to live? Now ask yourself, how much money do you need to live that life? You may find it's a lot less than you expect. Grant Sabatier, author of Financial Freedom shares his message about how to use money as a tool to live a richer life and how to achieve financial freedom. His story is incredible and truly inspiring and will surely bring you a wealth of insight. Listen here
WHAT I AM WATCHING
I saw a wonderful interview this week on the instagram account @design.emergency.They spoke to interior designer Ilse Crawford. You may know I am a huge fan of Ilse's. She discusses the importance of comfort in design...fascinating and something I have strived for in my work x
Design.emergency & Ilse Crawford & The Crown
We binge watched The 4th season of The Crown on Netflix this weekend...well who didn't? This season focused on Charles and Di and the Queen's relationship with Margaret Thatcher. I was a child during these years and found it interesting to watch from an adult perspective...I wonder how much is true...
If you are also a Blockhead, you will have no doubt watched the auctions/finale of the 2020 The Block. 2020 was certainly a different year for the much loved tv series, but I think they did a great job, considering, and great auction results....I love watching everyone walk away happy :) If you missed it you can catch up on 9Now.
THE WEEK THAT WAS IN THE STUDIO
After a few weeks redecorating and reorganising the studio I have finally got back to painting. I was a bit daunted by the clean white space and a huge part of me was reluctant to make a mess of its brand new shininess. I am working on a few large paintings at the moment. Here is a studio shot taken yesterday of a few paintings in progress x If you want to keep up with studio happenings you can follow my on Instagram here
I hope you are getting by okay. I have decided to have a gratitude sale for all my email subscribers. I find the whole Black Friday sale thing a little strange after Thanksgiving Day and thought I would do it differently. Sign up to receive my newsletters if you are interested in receiving these blogs regularly, hearing about new work and details of sales and offers. You can sign up here
Take care everyone xxx
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