It’s all about the shadows
It was a full day but I managed to start with several hours of painting. There seems to be a lot competing for my time lately but I’m determined to get my studio time in. I’m amazed at how it can slip away — and this is a new problem for me. For years I have worked 8 to 10 hours a day in the studio — often seven days a week. I didn’t think of it as working and it was a joy to have a place to paint uninterrupted. After many years of this schedule though, burn out really did hit me. I denied that it was burn out but with some time and perspective, I figured out I was in a serious funk. A change was due and it was very scary to question my habits and rethink them.
I’ve lightened up my expectations of myself and am concentrating on having a more well rounded life. In order to work so hard all those years I chose to ignore other interests, concerns, and my community. I had a goal and I only saw one way to accomplish it —- work, work, and work. I’m really glad I had the discipline to do it because I think I made measurable progress. And I’m glad I have the discipline now to continue painting while I’m letting my mind wander to other parts of my life.
That was then and my now is much more openminded. I think I can do this now because of the person I was then. That was good and now this is too.
