Wednesday, February 16, 2011

{this is now, that was then}

Day 1 005

Twelve months ago today I was getting on a plane to embark on the greatest adventure.  I was heading to the USA for An Artful Journey.  It was a journey full of rest, freedom, soul restoration, paint, friendship and so much more.

Today all the friends I made at An Artful Journey last year are returning to that same magical place to take another journey together.  It's so very hard to know that I am the only one in the group not there.

In comparison, today I am working through one of the hardest transitions I've experienced in a really long time.  My return to full time work.  It feels difficult and exhausting, and I'm shocked by how hard it is.  I am grieving the loss of time and space that were constants in my days not so long ago.  I am battling with the constant presence of people in my days when just a month ago it was me and the fur peeps.  I am missing my quiet hours in the studio absorbed in painting.  I am wondering when this new phase is going to start feeling smoother.

And in amidst all this comparison I can't help but wonder where I'll be standing 12 months from now.  What will life look like then?  Or perhaps more importantly what do I want it to look like?
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13 comments:

  1. Cath @ chunkychookyFebruary 16, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    I hope the transisiton goes well... think of all the great journeys you can take with the extra cash.

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  2. stellaFebruary 16, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    you will be missed greatly and we will all be thinking of you. i know how hard that transition can be. i was unemployed for nearly 2 years and starting work again was torture. you'll find the balance soon. wishing you a speedy journey through the transition.
    stella
    xo

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  3. willywagtailFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    I feel for you very much. I know I definitely couldn't work full-time nor even part time. So I take my hat off to you. I think the government, in it's wisdom, has kindly forgotten that women's bodies go through tremendous changes, in some people lasting up to two decades and that to keep the person whole they must not have so much expected of them. That is not even counting any emotional or physical disturbances we may have to carry through life. Cherrie

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  4. The Creative BeastFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    i hear you as you move through this transition Cathy - I'm going through pretty big shifts myself so time at the retreat is definitely welcome...but it won't be the same without you =-(

    I think the Chrissy is also not going to be in attendance so that is two artful sisters i'll be missing greatly! WAH!

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  5. CathieFebruary 16, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    be good to yourself, make sure you do get some you time because it will be needed.

    wishing you a smooth transition lovely ♥

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  6. Mrs. SpottsFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    Hi my friend, you know we will miss you at AAJ, but you are on another journey right now. We will meet again at one retreat or another. I am totally believing that. That balance of our soulful life and our realistic life is a hard hard juggle. But I think we need both to appreciate both, you know?

    I will be thinking of you and will be sure to save you seat at the dining table. ;)

    Lorrie

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  7. CurlyPopsFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    Twelve months already? Gosh, how the time has flown.
    I wish I could offer some wise advice, but I miss you being home more too!

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  8. AnnieFebruary 16, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    home with furr peeps sounds like my kind of fun. I had a day with them today and every wednesday - that's my effort at work life balance.

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  9. TanyaFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    that sounds like a tricky comparison. gee, can't believe you are the only one not back there. sounds abit hard. Hope the transition goes smoother, full time work can be so exhausting x

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  10. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2011 at 5:13 AM

    Oh Cathy! I really feel for you right now. I don't think I would cope with working at all let alone full time. And then to be missing out on an Artful reunion....:(

    Sending you love ♥

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  11. MichelleFebruary 17, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    Patience, grasshopper! All these things will sort themselves out. You will find time again to do the things you love. Just trust the universe, and yourself!

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  12. Donna LeeFebruary 17, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    I think it'll get smoother. Life will move on and you'll absorb the necessary changes and soon your automatic pilot will kick in for work days and you'll forget how difficult it was. you're infinitely adaptable and as long as you keep that sense of self and peace in your heart, you'll not only be fine, you'll be wonderful.

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  13. CarFebruary 26, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    The routine of working WILL get easier with time as your body adjusts, the balance perhaps not so much, but you could adopt my philosophy of "small sqaures" whether that be a quilt block, a granny sqaure or a page of art journalling... Each small square is a step toward the bigger piece of creativity!
    Good luck!

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