I have noticed a connection among some of the blogs I follow lately. A number of people lament how little time they have spent creating because of ...(insert list of obligations/distractions here). I feel exactly the same way. This summer was supposed to be dedicated to studio time. I had a light teaching schedule and I planned to start a new series. I felt I had all the time in the world. I was going to have so much completed by the fall. But...life happened to me, as well. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't completely unproductive. I was very productive on the administrative side of things (updated website, new computer, etc.) And I managed to complete a number of works that had been in progress for months. (Actually they were in the closet for months - the progress came in August.) So I now have a cohesive body of work for possible exhibition.
I wondered why this seems to be so common. Why do we often let other priorities take over our studio time? Sometimes there is no choice - family responsibilities take precedence. But in my case, much of it was personal choice (did I really have to redo my website this June - couldn't it wait until fall?) There were also emotional distractions that kept me away, rather than demands on my time.
So that leads to the question - how to prevent this from happening again? Right now, I'm planning December as my next "studio month". Oh, I know all the time management techniques and the creativity unblocking techniques - I just have to use them. And ultimately, that self-discipline is the hardest part.
I'm eager to hear how December goes! LOL That is such a busy month no matter what!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!
xo
Ha! If I knew how to keep life from filling our plates too high I'd write a book! Trying to stop a bit each day and look around is my main goal. Yesterday I was given a concert by a mockingbird right before I stepped into the library and time stopped for awhile.
ReplyDeleteAhh, yes. I love those mockingbird concerts!
ReplyDelete