I live with my local-guitar-teacher husband and two teens in a semi-rural area that has a lot of housing development but no public transit within walking distance. And we have one vehicle. We’ve managed to work out the logistics of this over the years, but today I needed to get out with no agenda, no errands, no one needing to go anywhere.
You see, I have spent the last two weeks immersed in the world of figuring out how to set up an Etsy shop and how to create listings. I had felt the time was right for me to put my mind to the Etsy learning curve, and learn I did! But my mind was is exhausted. I was starting to get anxious and to lose sleep. This just is not good. I love creating, and I want to share my process and sell my creations to the world; but I also have a family (whom I love dearly) and a part-time tutoring business (which I love because I am privileged to be helping kids learn; plus they each are so much fun) to help support us.
So I told myself today, “Colleen, you need to go out for a few hours and get a change of scenery. And you can’t run errands or browse thrift stores for more floral cotton vintage sheets!” (I restrained myself from stopping at a Salvation Army store that I drove by) Here is what I did.
First, I drove to a boat club where a small craft fair was being held. I needed to get around other creative people and see some new things. I met a fine artist there and totally admired all her beautiful and colourful paintings, especially the floral ones! I bought this print from her (because, as you know if you’ve been reading my blog, I love colourful flowers in my crafting and drawing and painting!):

Second, I drove to a local oceanside beach (half hour drive) that I haven’t been to in awhile (I took the above photo on the boardwalk there). I LOOOOOOOVVVVVVEEEEE the ocean! I love walking the beaches, watching the waves, listening to the waves, feeling the sand (I didn’t do that today – too cold to go barefoot), looking at the different colours of the rocks, etc. I even found a piece of clear seaglass there – I’ve never seen any at this particular beach, so I wasn’t even searching! It was very refreshing and it cleared my mind.
Third, I went back to my van in the beach parking lot, and FELL ASLEEP. I didn’t keep track of time (yessss!), but I must have slept for an hour or so. It was so nice. When I awoke, I did some reading; and then I decided I would like to take some fun photos. I picked out some random items I had with me, and set them up.
Below is a book I checked out of the library, because I am obsessed with Bohemian / Gypsy / Hippie colourfulness these days:

Then a fun photo of my handmade bag against the weathered wood of the boardwalk:

Lining of my bag (photo taken boringly inside my van – but the lining makes me smile when I open my bag):

And last photo – yarn and crochet hook I had with me. I was trying to work out a pattern today, but I couldn’t think it through clearly so I gave up. Still, the colours are gorgeous!

Finally, after my photo session, I headed home. I did have to stop at the grocery store and produce market, though; butter was on sale and we needed more vegetables. Oh well, it was a great day out, and I feel so much better.
How about you? How do you know when you’re getting burnt out? What do you do about it?
I know I am burnt out when my kids tell me. I get so burnt out that I can’t recognize anything. My creativity channels into necessary resourcefulness, innovation and problem solving to manage our home. But with the rising waters of time the true elements of creativity get lost from my soul and oh how I long to hold something of substance in my hands again, to shape, cut, sew …
This was a beautiful post.
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Sara, YES! This part: “My creativity channels into necessary resourcefulness, innovation and problem solving to manage our home.” Especially when tired. Thank you for the compliment!
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