Life often gets in the way
There are times when life gets in the way of creating art and I cannot get into the studio!
I plotted and planned good studio progress in 2022 studio, which you can learn more about by clicking here. Nonetheless, I had to cry “I give up” in June 2022 when our project of replacing the borer-ridden floors in the older part of our home, took an onerous turn.
Originally, I dreamt I would create art, tucked away in the warmth of my light-filled studio, whilst the builder performed his magic. However, reality soon crashed in around me.
Cold weather, shortages, and delays
Cold weather and delays for a combined total four weeks mocked ambitious art making and building schedules. Thus, floors remained opened to the wintry blast. My studio, therefore, served as refuge for us against the cold, dust, and disarray of the main living areas of our home. Consequently, creating art was put on hold so I could manage the project.
Notwithstanding, I wanted to face this with optimism and resolve. However, continuous delays and post-lockdown material shortages dampened my enthusiasm. Bill escaped through his work teaching high school every weekday. Whereas in the evenings and weekends we tackled the logistics of cooking, clean-up, laundry, bathing and everyday living on a construction site.
Still, the long, cold slog sometimes got the best of me. Probably, too many times. Even so, I knew it was time to “pull myself up by my own bootstraps!” (a saying learnt in my American upbringing.)
Living to tell the tale and Lessons Learnt
In the end, nonetheless, we did prevail. Thus, I’m living to tell the tale. Additionally, we now have a beautiful, functional home.
4 ways to overcome when life gets in the way
Accordingly, I think I’ve distilled it down to four basic ways to get through trying situations that keep you out of the studio.
Be Philosophical
What we endured was very hard, but not fatal. Moreover, I felt compelled to acknowledge ours were, in truth, first world problems. Indeed, in less than a year we would be glad we had made the sacrifice. The worst thing that happened was I could not participate in local art shows and events. I could live with that.
Make a commitment
Make a commitment to fully concentrate on resolving the situation that holds you back. Don’t allow distractions that arise keep you from sorting the big problem that is keeping out of the studio. Consequently, I managed and worked on the rebuild full-time. Making art had to be back burnered.
Additionally, I refused to be derailed by getting kicked off Facebook and Instagram, in July 2022, a couple of months into the restoration. A Hacker posted bad stuff on my personal Facebook page. Furthermore, my extensive website re-designed around Instagram interaction was rendered invalid. Nonetheless, I had to forget all that in order to focus on my home so I could get back into the studio.
Set realistic deadlines and stick to them.
Realistic deadlines helped everyone work smarter towards repairing our home as soon as possible. Thereby, trade deadlines were readily met. These were followed by important personal deadlines.
With the massive push to restore our home, we agreed that the end of Bill’s teaching year in early December we’d lay down all tools. Thereafter, we readied our remodelled home for a relaxing summertime Christmas with family and friends.
The second personal deadline I set was to get back into the studio early in the next year!! Thereupon prepared early for Bill’s return to teaching. Thus, I got back into the studio on 15th of February.
Celebrate your achievements.
Because I wanted to fully celebrate our remodelled home I focussed on embracing summer until after Waitangi Day, an important New Zealand holiday, which is the start of the new school year.
That summer our simple daily fete was to relax at our little table on the verandah to watch the Tui and Bellbird visit the feeder we’d hung in the Kowhai. Indeed, that is where we enjoyed most of our meals, along with the occasional late afternoon glass of New Zealand Rose.
Ahhhh. Life is good.
