Taking Small Steps...
Re-building confidence, one step at a time!
“For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.”
Khalil Gibran
After my dip in confidence, it’s been a week of noticing the details, taking the small wins, in whatever shape of form they come…
Approaching the new month, I’ve been checking back, and so far this year, I’ve succeeded in keeping up with:
Walking at least 5500 steps/day. Now, I know that’s not 10k, but you have to start somewhere don’t you? And I plan to steadily increase the number each month.
Reading at least 10 extra pages/day. I’ve read 5 books so far this year, and am part way through my sixth. I usually like to have two on the go; both a fiction and a non-fiction.
Daily meditating. Now I am by no means an expert, and some days, it’s only for around 3-4 minutes, but I am doing some every day!
Daily journalling. I found the 750words website really kept me on track, so I ended up subscribing - for the year it’s around $50. I subscribed for two reasons; I can type faster than I can write, and typing doesn’t make my hands ache as much…and I found putting down all my random thoughts enables me to focus more easily.
Is all this doing me any good? Well, I think it’s too early to tell, but I feel better for the ‘doing’ of it - that’s got to be a good thing hasn’t it? And I'm proud of myself, if we’re allowed to be, that I've persisted with these ‘rituals’…
As I said last week I’m also making a concerted effort to be more organised with the admin side of things. So, apart from ongoing website tweaks, I am also:
Trying to be more active on Pinterest, attempting to remember to post a pin linking back to my website, in an effort to drive more traffic there…
Setting aside some time at the beginning of the week to plan; weekly menus, supermarket shopping, organising household stuff etc., as well as all the arty stuff. It makes me feel more organised, even if it doesn’t always go to plan! To that end…
I have joined Anna MacDonald’s ‘Organised Artist’ membership group…to give me support, ideas, and to keep me on track…
Again, I feel less anxious for the ‘doing’ of it… I feel more settled. And I’m also getting better at not giving myself such a hard time if some things don’t get done - as long as I do the important things, then that’s okay by me…
And getting more organised is certainly going to be required, as I am pleased to announce that I’ve been accepted to hold an exhibition at Indigo Crow Gallery in Lincoln!!
It’s not until next year; at the moment I am finalising dates. But I’m really pleased!! I’ve no idea whether popping in, having a word and leaving my business card swayed their decision - but I’m glad I did so!!
My word for the year was “OPEN”. To remind myself to be open to the possibility of, to be open to new things, to new people and opportunities. I’m counting this acceptance as a win!!
Talking of small wins: I have actually been in the studio and doodled around with some new Art Graf blocks, rather than just going in and ‘tidying up’! I added to my collection, of one, by purchasing the Ochre, Brown and Dark Brown blocks… The brush I am using is a calligraphy one I bought from Amazon, costing around £13…
I do like Art Graf; it’s great for taking out on location because of the variety of marks and tones you can obtain. I also love the somewhat random and unpredictable marks you can make!
What else have I been enjoying this week?
I’m enjoying Jo Taylor’s Substack offering “Seeds, Weeds & Wildflowers.” I love the way she describes the details, the small delights and the often overlooked…
I finished Dr. Rangan Chatterjee’s book, “Make Change That Lasts.” I certainly recognised myself in some parts, and found the science and reasoning interesting…
I enjoyed “Hidden Assets” over on BBC IPlayer…full of twist and turns, and no, sometimes, they didn’t catch the ‘bad guys’…
The lengthening days, the increasing birdsong, bulbs emerging…even some blackthorn blossom, it’s tiny star like flowers sprinkled along the branches…
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.”
Robert Louis Stevenson
Until next time, happy creating!
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Congratulations on the exhibition news! What a lovely boost. Also I’m inspired by your daily rituals. I think I may need to take time to sit down and create some of my own…I wonder if that would help my focus and ‘brain fog’ as they call it! My head is a complete jumble at the moment 😆
Congratulations on the exhibition, Carolyn! That’s such great news! 👏👏👏