Finding time to take a break when you run a small business.
Everything I see
All around me shades of blue
Happiness in hues
Running a business is a lot of work. My to do list gets bigger and bigger every day and I wonder whether I am expecting too much of myself or not doing enough.
There’s this website, Etsy and Instagram to keep updated lest the algorithm throws me into the abyss, orders to send and stock to order, managing packaging and writing notes to each person who buys a card or painting, cashflow forecasting and business planning, waiting for the right light to photograph my work (and photograph it 100 times more because it’s never quite right...), pitching to potential stockists and applying for exhibitions and residencies, ongoing print testing and that’s all before I’ve picked up my paintbrush.
It can be hard to find time to take a break or maybe even desire to have time away for fear or missing out or falling behind (what, I don’t quite know, but it is a symptom of the itchy hands and minds we get from social media - which is why we need art, hey!)
But, having been so steadfast in my practice during the first half of the year and spending long days and even longer hours painting, I knew a break was coming after wrapping up a commission this month (see photos below).
So last week my boyfriend and I visited Arran where we cycled 56 miles round the island (if you couldn’t guess, that’s me and my new pink bike during an ice cream stop).
It was my first time on a CalMac ferry and we devoured a big ol’ breakfast on the way across so we were ready to start the cycle when we arrived.
On the way round we spotted deer, peacocks, seals, the usual suspects (cows and sheep) and even a snake! It was wonderful to visit somewhere new and challenge myself to such a big ride as the furthest I had previously cycled was 25 miles.
Even when you love what you do, it’s so important to take time away to come back refreshed and renewed. I’m looking forward to easing into September and allowing this period of rest to do what it needs to do and ultimately fuel my creativity.
