My Everyday Essentials
This was the first week of the 52 Handlettered Project where I took the picture first & wrote my list second based on the photo styling. Every other week it's been the other way around. I originally started this project to unwind from the day-to-day craze & now it's feeling like another task ON TOP of the day-to-day craze. Does anyone else do this? Turn your fun stuff into work stuff which in turn takes away the fun stuff?
I think it's extremely easy to do if you're in an art-based career because your work is also your heartbeat (or you're just a workaholic). Now that I've thrown myself full force into an art-based career lifestyle—because I've dreamed of doing so for years—my perspective has changed on what it means to "do what you love".
It's laughable now but I used to think "doing what you love" was the EASIER route. ha! The biggest thing I've learned is that doing what you love doesn't mean it's a free for all where you don't have to answer to anyone or that you can jump ship if you get a better offer or that you have complete creative freedom. I suppose it can mean that...if you don't want any clients.
I've realized I actually prefer being black & white in my business while letting a lot of gray into my personal life. It's essential to be your free spirit self in matters of your art, your heart & your imagination. These parts unearth you & you need to let them guide you.
But that isn't a business model.
It isn't a structure that will sustain you if you want to run your own business. I'm not to the point where I'm ok with this realization but I am to the point of seeing definite improvement to my mental stability & stress level when I have more structure with my business. This structure creates breathing room for me to be my fully creative & energetic self rather than my mentally spent & unshowered zombie buried in piles of admin work self.
I've been pondering on a better business structure, my mission as a graphic designer & what my strengths are so I haven't had much time to reflect or meditate, which actually made it very easy to jot down my everyday essentials. They surfaced quickly: his morning kisses, my luminous body oil & taking care of my plants.
And then I think, at the very core of each of us, isn't all we need essentials?
Taking care of mine, Em
Week 7/52 of the #52handlettered project with Miranti Kayess (formerly Pen & Peplum)
