Typography design by illustrator Penelope Dullaghan (a new Mom)
I have been working on "letting go" of some things in order to gain a little creative freedom.
After scoring some sound advice from SCORE, I will be letting go of some of the managerial tasks in order to focus more on creativity and my artwork. Keeping a blog, posting daily and then juggling the demands of a working from home and keeping it all happily humming along can sometimes be daunting. I think letting go or gaining a bit of help will be a good thing. Today, I have an assistant (a college student on Summer break) on the way, just a few hours so I can let go, and create.
How do you let go, so you can make room for a little freedom in your life.
I simply say NO, NOT RIGHT NOW!
ReplyDeleteNo is good. I will practice that...
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling! ;)
ReplyDeleteMust agree with Tamstyles, NO is the magic word! You're only human.
Like Diane von Furstenberg once said:
"Be your own best friend and don't forget to wink at yourself now and then".
M-
ReplyDeletewink
wink
)
pve
When I get stressed with things to do, I sit down w/a cup of tea, and list on a sheet of paper the most important things to do or need to do. Then I cross off the last few items on the list. You can't do it all and still wiggle your toes in the sand. I've also let go of being there for everyone all the time. It doesn't work if you want your good health.
ReplyDeletePurple Flowers,
ReplyDeleteSage advice, tea and lists are on my desk today!
pve
Letting go is an art I beleive human have yet to learn :) At least I do.
ReplyDeleteFunny how we, designers, are always fighting to gain a little time to do what we NEED to do.
Good luck with the assistant
qerat-
ReplyDeletethanks for your comment and I will post how it goes...
and my new found freedom...I hope!
pve
Laura,
ReplyDeleteHaving extra hands when children are small is so important, it does allow time for work or perhaps even a treat - like a hair cut!
pve
I love that you are doing this for yourself...well, and actually for others since the more you create the more you share your gift with the world. I'm also a list maker. If I can get it out of my head and on to paper, I feel less overwhelmed. Have a great Monday creating!
ReplyDeletej. x
p.s. can't believe i forgot to tell you....you are one of my winners. i need your address!
ReplyDeleteNo advice here. This may be my life lesson. And I'm a slow learner. Kudos to you.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I just let things go. Then things are a mess. Help is a great things. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteI too am saying "no I am really overbooked right now, I would be happy to help in the future" Also leaving the housework (some of it )to wait. Although I cannot stand any clutter!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great design!
ReplyDeleteI try not to take on more than I can handle ("I'm sorry, but I just don't have the time right now."), and to just do those things that are a good fit for me...the others things would be done much better by others who will enjoy it more than I.
Good work Patricia. Knowing when to let go of the other tasks so you can do what you love. I wish I had a little help here-for things like shopping, laundry... Nothing better than to sit and illustrate to our hearts content!
ReplyDeleteI was just saying I could really use a assistant to help me live my life :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you! That is an awesome idea. I was just thinking yesterday I needed about 14 more hours in each day, maybe all I need is an assistant :)
ReplyDeleteMy housekeeper loves to cook so you know what....I let her! She makes us a meal or two a week and it is such a treat to finish work and have a dinner ready. That must be how it is for men every day! And I should hire some administrative help.
ReplyDeleteYeah! This is often the conversation I have with new clients as we get to know one another during design projects. Priorities!
ReplyDeleteTips:
1. Take a piece of paper, fold in half (either way is fine) mark list as 1 & 2 by importance, then list items.
You'll start to see a pattern develop, that shows you what really is priority and what is not, at this moment.
2.Every morning or the night before, do a mind dump of everything you need to do and set up your day. Leave yourself some spare time (I call it 15 min. of grace time).
3. Now that you are getting assistance you can assign tasks by priority everyday that help is available. Have daily meeting to verbalize what needs to be completed so you both understand.
YOU have given yourself permission to let-go. YOU now usher in "more good" in your life!
Please blog about your progress because we all learn from one another. We like you we really really do! Hope this helps you feel better.
Regards,
Bette
Patricia, that is so good that you are giving yourself a little help and more time to focus on what you love doing. Hurray for letting go!Smart move! XO
ReplyDeleteGood for you! Letting go is the hardest thing, but I'm practicing by letting go of some of my expectations of myself. If I don't manage to make a home cooked meal every single night, I'm letting it go. If the apartment is a little messy because I need to sleep rather than clean, I'm letting it go. So far it's working pretty well.
ReplyDeleteYou and I always do this. Come up with some kind of new philosophical idea and share it....and it's the same thought! I love that.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love your idea, friend.
P.S. It's so hard to let go, but so worth it when it's done.
An assistant is a great idea - I'm so glad to hear you've got someone.
ReplyDeleteI have to let things go like unfolded laundry, smudges on the windows, closets unorganized... and these things do get to me. I am really a fastidious person but I can't keep up with everything and still sleep enough, enjoy my family, blog etc.
I can always count on my blog buddies to allow for a little letting go...thanks!
ReplyDeleteall such great comments....
pve
Good for you! Taking that step to delegate so you can create is a tough one sometimes! I'm so glad you're learning to let go :)
ReplyDeleteJulia,
ReplyDeleteOh, thank-you...small steps of letting go and delegating and staying on the creative path...
How's life by you?
pve
Learning to let go is an art, with practice it bacomes a habit!
ReplyDeleteLovely pic.
Good for you. I hope you enjoy your creative summer of freedom.
ReplyDelete: )
woohoo! good for you!
ReplyDeleteGood for you!
ReplyDeleteI have been looking for that freedom lately... having Guest Bloggers has helped A LOT!!!
ENJOY being CREATIVE!!!
Fifi
Sometimes I have to (or forced to by Babe) NOT vacuum and swiffer every stinkin morn. My fantasy is to roll out of bed and only have breakfast and a shower hanging over my head. You know, like when you stay at a hotel, or like when you're a MAN!
ReplyDeleteOh, good for you! Taking a break from things is always a healthy thing AND now you will have time do you what you started this blog for, being creative!
ReplyDeleteMake sure you have your assistant take lots and lots of pics of all your fab. works of art!
A very good and perfect post for me to read over and over.... Thank you! xoxo
ReplyDeleteNO is a great word. I am learning to use it more and more....
ReplyDeleteI need to learn to say "no" so I don't feel so bogged down.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is so inspiring to me, I don't know how you manage your time so well, and make it look, well, easy :) I never feel like I have all my eggs in one basket, and I've only got one toddler and no "real" job.
I must go read the others suggestions :)
I don't let go...that's my problem!! :-) I've mostly only had time for my (uninspiring, boring) job these days...but since that's what pays the bills I can't "let go" just yet. Wah WAH.
ReplyDeleteHow very exciting! I love the sign you found to go along with your post too.
ReplyDeleteI try to prioritize, but I'm not always successful. We remain very selfish with our home/family time, so that's one thing that never gets overlooked.
Letting go is definitely a practice and a state of mind. I think once one experiences the release/relief of letting go it makes it easier and easier to do. Maybe it's just me but it is also easier to do as I get older...maybe I'm just now realizing what is most important and sucking up the "Gus" bunnies every day isn't one of them anymore.
ReplyDeletexo
Tricia - Avolli
Letting go is continual. What is working now may not work next month, or next year.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard for me to let go.
I read, I think in Oprah magazine, It's SAFE to let go.
Wow. Letting go comes from that small voice within and I should trust it more. Grace.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara