This is going to be a short post again, I’m not finding much to talk about and I will be repeating myself, I’m boring myself these days. I’m thinking that my new life does not have a shape or structure yet, the routines and patterns that framed my days have gone and I have yet to make a new pattern. I used to be strict and have an ‘art’ day a week, no longer; I had a day for housework, gone; a day for sorting through my mountain of photos and making albums, not any more; a day for admin and planning, ha ha you must be joking. All these (boring) routines went when we started packing back in April and I have not been able to establish them again. Spontaneous?! what me? No way, I need a framework to hold me together because I find it all too easy to fritter away my time.
308 Chinese Lantern
309 Bay branch
310 Squash
311 It’s that man again
312 Ginger Root
313-1 Life Drawing class (tone)
313-2 Life Drawing class
314 Another Squash
I can sympathise with this. I used to play piano every day until we moved to Somerset for 18 months,2004-06, where our neighbours said they listened out for me playing which inhibited me so much I gave up playing and have never started again. In general I try to keep to a timetable for housework/washing/ironing/shopping otherwise I’d never do them! Since Dad died and I took over driving Mum about and helping her and then since Elinor started at college most of my pleasurable pastimes have gone by the board – I can’t get motivated enough to start them up again. Tiredness is the main reason for it I think. I am sure that once you have got over your move (and it does take months to recover!) you will find it easier to plan your week and start to enjoy things again.
Your botanical art is always lovely but I also liked your life drawing labelled ‘tone’.
Hi Clare, yes I think it does take a long time to ‘process’ things. My father died in December last year so that anniversary is coming up too. I shall wait until the new year before really trying to get a routine again, in a way it is OK not to be so structured. And you are right it is usually the things that you do for yourself that are the things to most easily push aside. Sounds like you are really busy looking after other people and that is really tiring, I hope you do manage to squeeze a little time for yourself. Best wishes. Sue
Thank-you Sue. Anniversaries of deaths are difficult times. I remember the first anniversary of my father’s death was particularly hard to bear. I hope things start to get easier for you soon. Best wishes, Clare
It’s tough when you have planned and worked hard for months on a big move and change, to know what to do once it has all happened. How to restart your life in these new surroundings. Once all the work is over the reality of the new life hits. Be kind to yourself and take the time to gently acclimatise, recover and you will find a new routine. Your daily drawing routine is still there and your work still improves. Karen
Thank you Karen for your kind comments. I am waiting for the new year before I really try to sort a routine out. I will wait until this daily drawing project is finished – the end is in sight and it will free up space in my head, currently it looms over me every day until it is done. It was a good project and really helped me during the year, but I am ready to stop and move on. Sue
Hi Sue, these are splendid. What a project – I struggle to do one postable picture each week so I raise my proverbial hat to you. See you next Monday.
Thanks Michael