Monday, July 5, 2010

The Shock That Wasn't Really A Shock

The Cows Came Home
Acrylics and mixed Media on canvas
12 x 24 inch

I came to the simplest realisation late last night.


I can't do it all.

What's that?  


You mean I can't get ready for my first exhibition, concentrate on getting my Etsy shop reopened, take on full time casual project management work, undertake consultancy work on top of that, look after my health, maintain a social life, stay connected to the people that matter, Twitter quirky and interesting thoughts(!), blog regularly, exercise 3 times a week, keep the NCB rolling along, enjoy cooking, organise craft weekends, enter a piece in a group exhibition, work on new creative ideas, submit work for publication, participate in e-courses, learn my way around Photoshop, think about long term career plans, do my taxes, keep up with emails, participate in swaps, watch my beloved Tour de France, maintain my sanity and enjoy my life?

Suddenly I understand why I've been feeling more than a tad stressed and unbalanced.

I couldn't help but gently laugh at myself as I thought I'll probably be enjoying this same realisation until 'the cows come home' .


However it is time to take a step back, let go of some artificial deadlines and focus on what really matters.  There's so much good stuff coming up over the next few weeks.  I wan't to make sure I'm in a place where I enjoy every minute of it.


{If you haven't popped over and had a look at my blog redesign, come on over.  I'm loving the new look.}

21 comments:

  1. When you write it all down in black and white, it really is such a very long list. I hope you're able to re-prioritise and work out which ones are the most important, while maintaining your sanity and allowing yourself to still have some fun!

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  2. Oh how busy...
    A don't think I would be able to get through half of that list...
    I do hope you find some time for yourself in all the kaos...

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  3. I agree with oh wise one Cam- maybe the etsy shop can wait for starters... this painting- me likey a lot! xx

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  4. Something we all need to discover fairly regularly, I think! Good on you for working it out now before it becomes a complete meltdown. That shows some very intelligent self awareness. If only the rest of us could do the same...xx

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  5. I am hearing you SO CLEARLY! I have been coming to that realisation for a few months now, but on Saturday morning I finally lost it. There are going to be big changes taking place around here very soon.

    Hope you can find your happy balance!

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  6. Love your new look blog by the way!...Cathy truer words never spoken, it's always about priorities. I have learnt the hard way and so cut down to the very basics and am working back very very slowly to a new 'balance'. Self realisation is so important. Congrats on your exhibition to, will endeavour to make time to see it!

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  7. Yes, Yes, Yes ... there's not enough hours in the day. I did the same thing a month ago! Sadly I pulled the plug, not cancel just postponed the big event ... phew it was like a weight was lifted ... Love your blog ... thrilled to have found you ... Vive Le Tour!

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  8. GOODNESS! that is QUITE a list! and one that you could easliy burn-out on if you atempt to work on all that at once... =-(

    I second Curly Pops sentiments and if I may be so bold to suggest that perhaps one of the NCB might be able to take over supervisory duties for a little while? It's hard to remember sometimes, but we really can DELEGATE things to those we trust to do them in our place =-)

    I'm looking forward to hearing about the art exhibits!

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  9. Whew!I'm tired from just reading this post!

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  10. Something I read recently which resonated: "You can do anything... but not everything." Good luck deciding which 'anything' you want to focus on whilst getting rid of the 'everything' Cath. Meanwhile I'm digging the new layout...

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  11. Yeah, I hear ya. Definitely! I've refused to twitter actually because I think that would throw me over the edge. And I'm so close to the edge already!

    I love your new look!

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  12. scary list ... i was breathless before i was half way through it. ps i like the new layout. the red is beautiful.

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  13. I'm hearing you, working for yourself, I think we tend to put more demands on ourselves to fit everything in, we enjoy working (finally!)and then wonder why we can't fit in all the other stuff we enjoy... Said by someone who is having a fringe festival exhibition but hasn't really started...

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  14. I love “The Cows Come Home” Stunning! Glad you are reprioritising, I know the feeling of wanting it all done yesterday, but we have to pace ourselves.

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  15. Cathy, clearly you need to prioritise and just concentrate on Twitter from now on.

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  16. That's a lesson we all have to learn and relearn on a regular basis. I think as soon as things get a little bit calm, I tend to take on more things and then things get hectic and so on and so on.

    I love the painting you bought. There's something about it that grabs you right in the heart.

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  17. LOVE LOVE LOVE the new blog look, so vibrant and happy and sooo you. Im playing catch up and wow you bought Mati's Grow painting, i saw that today and fell in love myself, so wonderful. Enjoy and speak soon my lovely xx

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  18. Yeah it's no wonder you are stressed. My goodness what a list. not even Wonder Woman could handle all that! But I totally understand where you are coming from.

    Focus on the important things, and take the time to enjoy all the good things coming your way. Hang in there, You can do it!

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  19. Way to go - focus on the important fun stuff. Best of luck for the exhibition - wish I could be here but will be thinking of you.

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