You ❤️ this isn’t only about me though. It’s about how we make it a normal thing. And about why it’s so hard to do. Emotionally. So much guilt and fear surrounds our livelihoods sometimes. Thank you, Debbie.
I say caring for yourself and your own sanity is what's needed...like on an airplane they say get your own mask on first or on a boat to put your own lifejacket on then work on helping others. If twice a year you "took off" (no emails, no public writings or lessons, no tending of the business) for 1 or 2 (or 3 for that course that draws you!) weeks and post that you are on your semi-annual creativity boosting experience no person following your threads would object...they already know the caring person you are. You can only give what you have in you and you wouldn't want to convey your tiredness or angst but your revitalized joy in the creating. It also shows them, without needing to explain further, that that is a good and worthy practice that they might want to adopt for themselves!
I think that’s just it. I know I’m not alone in the burn out teetering. We need to normalise it. And maybe that starts with actually doing it, and without guilt or fear. Thanks, Cindy.
I was a university professor for 40 years and yes, the work left me exhausted. I always felt like each day I opened the lid of my head up for my students to gather around its edges like birds on a bird bath and peck away until they were satisfied. When people make their livings with “ideas” (whether you’re a creative or a marketing professor) it’s hard to turn your thinking off, even when you’re resting. My sister, on the other hand, is a gate agent at the airport and it’s a tough job with people yelling at you all day, no doubt about it, but when she clocks off, she stops thinking about work entirely. She has no responsibility anymore for stranded customers or anything at all with respect to her work. She can rest her mind and body and get ready for the next day. I couldn’t ever rest my mind at the end of the work day. I was always thinking or planning. My mind was always going and going and going. So, I eventually learned to follow Winston Churchill’s advice—“a change is as good as a rest.” I would spend one day each week “doing” something completely different than normal. Something that would completely engage my attention like cooking or baking or pasta making. Or I would spend the whole day with one of my bouquet of elderly ladies, cleaning their houses or running their errands or fixing their computers (way outside my wheelhouse!) It had to be something completely “orthogonal” to my regular work. And the best vacations for me were when, again, I did something completely different from my thinking, studying, writing, teaching work—walking 100 miles on the Cotswold Way, taking a class at the John Campbell Folk Art School in woodblock printing, going on an Italian language intensive. I had to DO something and something radically different. It made me feel productive and refreshed and it was amazing how much cross-fertilization I discovered. (This is why I took up watercolor. It’s completely orthogonal for a person who as a child was told she had no artistic talent or skill). A day of “rest” just relaxing, taking walks, quiet reading or doing anything tangential to my regular work was not refreshing for me at all, no matter how much time I devoted to it. I felt more enervated and like I’d “wasted” time. Stamina is the hardest part of being a teacher of any subject. So for me, a severe change of activity, even just for a day is the best rest. And I’ve realized I have to aim for “refreshment,” not “rest” or “relaxation.” The change is important, not the amount of time. I’ve known too many people who took sabbaticals and rested, but didn’t come back refreshed. As soon as they got back to work, they wanted another sabbatical (or more often than not, just quit their jobs). I don’t know if that helps, but that’s my experience. Bless you!
I think most jobs are creative! When I say creative, I do not just mean the arts, so marketing professors for sure! What an interesting visual, a hinge on your head, opening like a bird bath or feeder, all the students gathering round! 😂 I have had many jobs that I could leave behind, but none where I could earn a living wage, sadly. And I wasn't very good at any of them! Anyway, I love the idea that change is as good as a rest. I just think overall our culture does not value something like a sabbatical, where people can continue to educate themselves and learn and grow. It's really a responsible part of being a worker! SO interesting what you said about people taking sabbaticals with no good coming from them. Maybe their work wasn't right for them? I do not see it as a rest really, maybe more of. a pause so we can learn and explore other things without deadlines and the normal daily work hovering nearby. I think I would feel rested in some ways, but more than that, energised and full of new ideas! Thank you, Lisa, so interesting!
I know people are very demanding. But honestly a one week break and a 3 week break out of 52 weeks is healthy. You need to break free from us leeches! There’s a whole library on Patreon to work with. We’ll miss you. But we’ll be so happy to have you back, hopefully not exhausted, happy, boosted. You not only NEED it, you DESERVE it. Being self employed is the new slavery system of countries who don’t treat their citizens normally. Do we have to work ourselves to death? A year or two is a real amazing privilege and in France one does not get paid. But at least if they are granted the sabbatical they keep their job. You created the job. Don’t be enslaved. I know sometimes people disengage when you are sick. Their loss. You need money. But if you loose your mind or health you’ll be sorry. Listen to yourself. Take a real break. Not a weekend. At least 10 days to start with. And plan three weeks as you see fit. Tell people in advance. Refer them to the library. I’m sure they will have plenty to keep busy! Dare them to upgrade their skills on lessons they’ve done. You are not supposed to be 24/7 answering questions. No one would expect that in a classroom. It’s dishonest to expect you to care for us like babies. Enjoy some you time. Go to the workshop. Cancel zooms if you have to. BREATHE. You’re human. That’s why you’re precious to us. So much work, so little me time, you have to bring this to an end. And enjoy other things than sharing. Fill yourself up ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹🫂
Agnès, 🥰 thank you. It's not really about me though. I am part of big sea of people who probably feel very similar things. You said it right... self-employment is pretty treacherous in the country I live in. We do not receive the same benefits, even though we work just as hard and contribute just as much (and more) in taxes, and to the economy. If I were to become disabled, I have ZERO security net, like those who can apply for disability. So it's even scarier. And I think part of the reason we hesitate to take time away, for any reason at all. We have to normalise these things, and start to reshape the way society thinks about and responds to self-employment. It's funny... entrepreneurship is so encouraged and revered...but then all the cards stack against it. Thank you so much for your insights!
I know it’s about all of you in this situation. Start a union ✊🏼 Is there one already? It’s so scary. I wish I could do something about it. Don’t know how sadly. But I’m with you 🫶🏻
A union 😅 can you imagine the time needed to do that? I am going to figure it out for myself first, and then keep talking about it. I’m surely preaching to the choir here 😂🥰😘
I am retired now, but I did have my own business for 18 years & it was hard to get away for any real length of time ( especially for the for the first few months when I didn't have any employees) . I hope you can find a way to be your first priority & be able to take good care of yourself whether it's time away, working on your own creative work, or time as you said to rest, learn and grow" or whatever you want or need to do. Know it isn't always easy to do & harder in your particular work of creativity. You are such a giving person - hope you find a way to refresh and renew that will work well for you!! 💕
Thank you, Kathryn. I think of shopkeepers who don't have huge incomes and no employees. I think of farmers (!) who have to be on 24/7/365, so many things... all requiring quick thinking, new ideas, new ways of solving problems, all of it. I think we (society, overculture) just don't value healthy growth and underestimate how many humans are near burn out, all the time, just trying to get by. And of course, There is so much of d rie nature going on in the world, this can seem like such a petty thing to think about. And yet... what good are we if we are constantly scraping ourselves up and working from low reserves? Anyway, thank you for your thoughts. Having owned a business, you certainly get it!
Oh, how I wish my work allowed for a “sabbatical”. I’m lucky if my weekends are “sabbaticals”. As an accountant for non-profits around my community, my work is crucial for the good work that is done in my community, for my community, for others. Yes. I get paid. But yes. I work a heck of a lot more than I get paid monetarily. Taking two years off would lose me my clients, and loose me my livelihood that allows for me to take creative workshops here and there, but the art tools, and support local artists. But, when I am visiting a homeless camp or our local food bank, working with these individuals makes me grateful and thankful for what I have. Certainly, I crave “me” time but my heart is full when I am helping others. And, funny enough, it is what sparks my creative inner fire.
That’s so awesome. I’m so happy for you! Two years is crazy right? But people do it in the corporate and academic world. I’m thinking more like a week or two, to take some classes for my career development and actually have time to do it.
Maybe you could start small and take a long weekend? You could make an announcement that you’ll be “out of the office” so to speak for a certain amount of time. During that time you aren’t allowed to check work emails or respond to social media. Or do chores around the house. :-) Then you could have five say days completely away from the office/studio. Maybe if you did that here and there you’d be revitalized, and it may prove to you how you could keep making time for things like that without getting panicked?
Yeah, for sure. I’ve done that a few times. It’s helpful. There is a three week residency program I’ve been longing to apply for a few years now, but that just seems excessive. It’s a mind set, isn’t it? I guess what I am saying is that it should be the norm, for the self employed, too. Without fear of jeopardising all you have worked so hard for. It should be the norm.
Agreed that you deserve a sabbatical or seasonal time off to restore your whole self and stir creative juices. I will stay the course while you are out and review some of your previous lessons and recreate those projects. That will keep me motivated.
I’m not sure I relate to this topic as much as some others, but it is an excellent idea. I get together periodically with some local artists for studio play which is fun. We also do a 3-day retreat we call a mini mojo in honor of our former leader who passed away a few years ago. She ran large group retreats bringing together many teachers and artists. Ours was only the local group and it is a time to explore, learn, eat snacks, talk and do things we don’t normally do, art wise. When I was working, it was a breath of fresh air from the grind. Now that I’m retired it still feels fresh and inspiring. A break from routine to do something unexpected is a serious recharger, even if I don’t have to go back to work after. It would be great if this was offered as part of employment, like insurance. In fact it is frowned upon like a weakness. Any time needed to reset ourselves is time well spent. 💕💕💕
I love all that I know about your art group. It sounds like so much fun for someone who enjoys group events. I agree with you! Offered as part of employment. YES! Thank you, Sue. xo
Bravo, bravo!!! I think it is a marvelous idea, and so well deserved for those who are self-employed. Time to refresh, stimulate, relax and let loose, yet dream of future ideas. It would give one new perspectives. Amen!
I think you should take care of yourself. I'll be here when you get back and I'll keep drawing and writing while you're gone.
You ❤️ this isn’t only about me though. It’s about how we make it a normal thing. And about why it’s so hard to do. Emotionally. So much guilt and fear surrounds our livelihoods sometimes. Thank you, Debbie.
I say caring for yourself and your own sanity is what's needed...like on an airplane they say get your own mask on first or on a boat to put your own lifejacket on then work on helping others. If twice a year you "took off" (no emails, no public writings or lessons, no tending of the business) for 1 or 2 (or 3 for that course that draws you!) weeks and post that you are on your semi-annual creativity boosting experience no person following your threads would object...they already know the caring person you are. You can only give what you have in you and you wouldn't want to convey your tiredness or angst but your revitalized joy in the creating. It also shows them, without needing to explain further, that that is a good and worthy practice that they might want to adopt for themselves!
I think that’s just it. I know I’m not alone in the burn out teetering. We need to normalise it. And maybe that starts with actually doing it, and without guilt or fear. Thanks, Cindy.
PS Your painting is gorgeous - it is so alive and flowing!
🥰
I was a university professor for 40 years and yes, the work left me exhausted. I always felt like each day I opened the lid of my head up for my students to gather around its edges like birds on a bird bath and peck away until they were satisfied. When people make their livings with “ideas” (whether you’re a creative or a marketing professor) it’s hard to turn your thinking off, even when you’re resting. My sister, on the other hand, is a gate agent at the airport and it’s a tough job with people yelling at you all day, no doubt about it, but when she clocks off, she stops thinking about work entirely. She has no responsibility anymore for stranded customers or anything at all with respect to her work. She can rest her mind and body and get ready for the next day. I couldn’t ever rest my mind at the end of the work day. I was always thinking or planning. My mind was always going and going and going. So, I eventually learned to follow Winston Churchill’s advice—“a change is as good as a rest.” I would spend one day each week “doing” something completely different than normal. Something that would completely engage my attention like cooking or baking or pasta making. Or I would spend the whole day with one of my bouquet of elderly ladies, cleaning their houses or running their errands or fixing their computers (way outside my wheelhouse!) It had to be something completely “orthogonal” to my regular work. And the best vacations for me were when, again, I did something completely different from my thinking, studying, writing, teaching work—walking 100 miles on the Cotswold Way, taking a class at the John Campbell Folk Art School in woodblock printing, going on an Italian language intensive. I had to DO something and something radically different. It made me feel productive and refreshed and it was amazing how much cross-fertilization I discovered. (This is why I took up watercolor. It’s completely orthogonal for a person who as a child was told she had no artistic talent or skill). A day of “rest” just relaxing, taking walks, quiet reading or doing anything tangential to my regular work was not refreshing for me at all, no matter how much time I devoted to it. I felt more enervated and like I’d “wasted” time. Stamina is the hardest part of being a teacher of any subject. So for me, a severe change of activity, even just for a day is the best rest. And I’ve realized I have to aim for “refreshment,” not “rest” or “relaxation.” The change is important, not the amount of time. I’ve known too many people who took sabbaticals and rested, but didn’t come back refreshed. As soon as they got back to work, they wanted another sabbatical (or more often than not, just quit their jobs). I don’t know if that helps, but that’s my experience. Bless you!
I think most jobs are creative! When I say creative, I do not just mean the arts, so marketing professors for sure! What an interesting visual, a hinge on your head, opening like a bird bath or feeder, all the students gathering round! 😂 I have had many jobs that I could leave behind, but none where I could earn a living wage, sadly. And I wasn't very good at any of them! Anyway, I love the idea that change is as good as a rest. I just think overall our culture does not value something like a sabbatical, where people can continue to educate themselves and learn and grow. It's really a responsible part of being a worker! SO interesting what you said about people taking sabbaticals with no good coming from them. Maybe their work wasn't right for them? I do not see it as a rest really, maybe more of. a pause so we can learn and explore other things without deadlines and the normal daily work hovering nearby. I think I would feel rested in some ways, but more than that, energised and full of new ideas! Thank you, Lisa, so interesting!
I hope you find that change, no matter how short, and it leaves you refreshed and full of new ideas!
I know people are very demanding. But honestly a one week break and a 3 week break out of 52 weeks is healthy. You need to break free from us leeches! There’s a whole library on Patreon to work with. We’ll miss you. But we’ll be so happy to have you back, hopefully not exhausted, happy, boosted. You not only NEED it, you DESERVE it. Being self employed is the new slavery system of countries who don’t treat their citizens normally. Do we have to work ourselves to death? A year or two is a real amazing privilege and in France one does not get paid. But at least if they are granted the sabbatical they keep their job. You created the job. Don’t be enslaved. I know sometimes people disengage when you are sick. Their loss. You need money. But if you loose your mind or health you’ll be sorry. Listen to yourself. Take a real break. Not a weekend. At least 10 days to start with. And plan three weeks as you see fit. Tell people in advance. Refer them to the library. I’m sure they will have plenty to keep busy! Dare them to upgrade their skills on lessons they’ve done. You are not supposed to be 24/7 answering questions. No one would expect that in a classroom. It’s dishonest to expect you to care for us like babies. Enjoy some you time. Go to the workshop. Cancel zooms if you have to. BREATHE. You’re human. That’s why you’re precious to us. So much work, so little me time, you have to bring this to an end. And enjoy other things than sharing. Fill yourself up ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹🫂
Agnès, 🥰 thank you. It's not really about me though. I am part of big sea of people who probably feel very similar things. You said it right... self-employment is pretty treacherous in the country I live in. We do not receive the same benefits, even though we work just as hard and contribute just as much (and more) in taxes, and to the economy. If I were to become disabled, I have ZERO security net, like those who can apply for disability. So it's even scarier. And I think part of the reason we hesitate to take time away, for any reason at all. We have to normalise these things, and start to reshape the way society thinks about and responds to self-employment. It's funny... entrepreneurship is so encouraged and revered...but then all the cards stack against it. Thank you so much for your insights!
I know it’s about all of you in this situation. Start a union ✊🏼 Is there one already? It’s so scary. I wish I could do something about it. Don’t know how sadly. But I’m with you 🫶🏻
A union 😅 can you imagine the time needed to do that? I am going to figure it out for myself first, and then keep talking about it. I’m surely preaching to the choir here 😂🥰😘
I am retired now, but I did have my own business for 18 years & it was hard to get away for any real length of time ( especially for the for the first few months when I didn't have any employees) . I hope you can find a way to be your first priority & be able to take good care of yourself whether it's time away, working on your own creative work, or time as you said to rest, learn and grow" or whatever you want or need to do. Know it isn't always easy to do & harder in your particular work of creativity. You are such a giving person - hope you find a way to refresh and renew that will work well for you!! 💕
Thank you, Kathryn. I think of shopkeepers who don't have huge incomes and no employees. I think of farmers (!) who have to be on 24/7/365, so many things... all requiring quick thinking, new ideas, new ways of solving problems, all of it. I think we (society, overculture) just don't value healthy growth and underestimate how many humans are near burn out, all the time, just trying to get by. And of course, There is so much of d rie nature going on in the world, this can seem like such a petty thing to think about. And yet... what good are we if we are constantly scraping ourselves up and working from low reserves? Anyway, thank you for your thoughts. Having owned a business, you certainly get it!
Oh, how I wish my work allowed for a “sabbatical”. I’m lucky if my weekends are “sabbaticals”. As an accountant for non-profits around my community, my work is crucial for the good work that is done in my community, for my community, for others. Yes. I get paid. But yes. I work a heck of a lot more than I get paid monetarily. Taking two years off would lose me my clients, and loose me my livelihood that allows for me to take creative workshops here and there, but the art tools, and support local artists. But, when I am visiting a homeless camp or our local food bank, working with these individuals makes me grateful and thankful for what I have. Certainly, I crave “me” time but my heart is full when I am helping others. And, funny enough, it is what sparks my creative inner fire.
That’s so awesome. I’m so happy for you! Two years is crazy right? But people do it in the corporate and academic world. I’m thinking more like a week or two, to take some classes for my career development and actually have time to do it.
Maybe you could start small and take a long weekend? You could make an announcement that you’ll be “out of the office” so to speak for a certain amount of time. During that time you aren’t allowed to check work emails or respond to social media. Or do chores around the house. :-) Then you could have five say days completely away from the office/studio. Maybe if you did that here and there you’d be revitalized, and it may prove to you how you could keep making time for things like that without getting panicked?
Yeah, for sure. I’ve done that a few times. It’s helpful. There is a three week residency program I’ve been longing to apply for a few years now, but that just seems excessive. It’s a mind set, isn’t it? I guess what I am saying is that it should be the norm, for the self employed, too. Without fear of jeopardising all you have worked so hard for. It should be the norm.
Agreed that you deserve a sabbatical or seasonal time off to restore your whole self and stir creative juices. I will stay the course while you are out and review some of your previous lessons and recreate those projects. That will keep me motivated.
Thank you Karen. Not just me, but as a culturally accepted thing for all. Xo
I’m not sure I relate to this topic as much as some others, but it is an excellent idea. I get together periodically with some local artists for studio play which is fun. We also do a 3-day retreat we call a mini mojo in honor of our former leader who passed away a few years ago. She ran large group retreats bringing together many teachers and artists. Ours was only the local group and it is a time to explore, learn, eat snacks, talk and do things we don’t normally do, art wise. When I was working, it was a breath of fresh air from the grind. Now that I’m retired it still feels fresh and inspiring. A break from routine to do something unexpected is a serious recharger, even if I don’t have to go back to work after. It would be great if this was offered as part of employment, like insurance. In fact it is frowned upon like a weakness. Any time needed to reset ourselves is time well spent. 💕💕💕
I love all that I know about your art group. It sounds like so much fun for someone who enjoys group events. I agree with you! Offered as part of employment. YES! Thank you, Sue. xo
Bravo, bravo!!! I think it is a marvelous idea, and so well deserved for those who are self-employed. Time to refresh, stimulate, relax and let loose, yet dream of future ideas. It would give one new perspectives. Amen!
It surely would! We can help make it feel more okay to do by talking about it more, too!
PS that drawing is stunning
Thank you ☺️