Yesterday was my birthday. Not just any birthday, mind you, but one of those big landmark birthdays. And I am none too happy about it.
I tried to fight it, but there’s no stopping time, or going backwards, or avoiding getting one of those damn AARP cards in the mail. The thing is, I don’t feel 50. I don’t even feel 40. I suppose that’s a good thing, until one of these milestone birthdays comes along and reminds me that I’m not exactly where I want to be in my life.
I want so much to be a full-time crafter, artist and blogger. I want to paint and sew every day. I want to fill up my etsy shop and local shops with my creations, and teach classes on how to use thrifted materials to sew unique repurposed creations. I’d love to write ebooks sharing my patterns and techniques. And I know I will, but for right now, I’m working my full-time corporate day job and while I am SO very grateful to have it, it doesn’t leave me much time or energy to do what makes my soul sing. So often that leaves me discouraged, which saps my creativity so that I can’t even use the little time I have for what I love.
So as a birthday gift to myself, I’ve decided to try to do something creative with every little moment I can and to commit to create every day. I started this weekend with these simple little watercolor sketches.
Even if it’s just a drawing in my sketchbook, or a quick collage ATC, I pledge to be creative every day for the next year, and see how these little moments might add up. I’ll post my results here, so that you can keep me honest.
All in all, it wasn’t a bad birthday. I was surrounded by people I love and who love me, and will see more dear friends later in the month. I got a tiara to wear so I could be a princess for a day, and a rake with a bow on it, symbolizing the gift of promised yard work from our nephews.
Among other lovely gifts, I was presented with a beautiful poem written just for me by my wonderful partner Colleen, which is something I will cherish forever. And thanks to her wisdom and patience with me during this past year, I finally realize that you can’t really move forward if you’re looking back all the time or worrying about what’s to come in the future. It’s all about the now.
June 29, 2011 at 1:50 am
i love the picture of the dandelions, you are very talented
happry birthday!
August 4, 2011 at 12:42 am
Hi Kari!
Thank you for your sweet comment and the birthday wishes!!
August 1, 2011 at 10:13 am
Wow you said it… I feel just like that, the desire to live to craft, having so many different varied crafting interests, and having to both run my house (being 35 I still have kids at home) and work full time as an RN leaves be short of my dreams. My blog is severely lacking in productivity as am I for my goals at least. Some day!!!
Keep the dream alive! Carey
August 4, 2011 at 12:39 am
Thank you, Carey! I agree, its so hard to find time to really let your creativity bloom especially when you have so many responsibilities- work, home, kids. I really respect the hard work and time management skills of moms… there are days that I barely get myself dressed and where I need to be, let alone have to do that for little ones as well! Moms are amazing! LOL. I hope that you get to carve out a little time for yourself to just be creative and have fun soon. Thanks for your comment!