Hey friends, more time than I'd like has passed since my last newsletter!
The festive season is in full swing and I am looking forward to some downtime.
Recently, the constant drive to ‘share my illustrations’ on social media became a barrier to ‘creating new illustrations’.
I realised that I had just been ~ getting by ~ lately and (note to self) that is not good enough. I want to thrive and thriving requires more than just surviving!
As Adam Grant suggests:
“No one grows up dreaming of a job that doesn’t interfere with their life. We hope to spend our waking hours doing work that enriches our lives”
The penny dropped
It occurred to me that often it is not ‘the work’ that is the problem, but ‘our approach’ to the work. In my case, I didn’t want a break from creating, I wanted a break from sharing.
Getting stuck in the weekly grind can prevent us from thinking about long-term strategies. It can cause us to neglect other projects of equal value.
But we are not at the mercy of our situations. We are empowered to make our own choices.
I am proud to say that I hit the brakes!
It took some courage but I have temporarily stopped sharing my illustrations in favour of quietly creating in private.
A break from posting does not mean I am not stopping; I am merely shifting my outputs.
I can build up a buffer of visuals
I can upskill and master my craft
I can engage in exciting client projects and foster relationships
I can disengage from social media and enjoy what the festive period has to offer.
The world won’t stop. Everything will be there when I get back.
Regress to progress
Stepping back then becomes part of growth.
We gain perspective by zooming out.
The mental distance allows us to think critically about what is and what isn’t working.
Small tweaks to our environment, schedule, diet, physical movements, and social circles can have a significant impact on our mental well-being and output at work.
Stepping back CAN be the vehicle for change and evolution, but we have to be honest with ourselves.
The perspective I am gaining right now is:
Less is more
Don’t overcomplicate the solution
Self-care is not optional.
What does this look like for me?
No drastic changes. I want to switch to posting two illustrations per week rather than three. This means more breathing space for other things, work and fun related!
I also want to make time for myself before I start my ‘work’ days. This allows for exercise, playing with my dog, journaling, getting some sunlight, you know the drill...
What is the lesson here?
We are not victims of our busy schedules. We are active participators! It is our responsibility to find a set-up that works for us.
Whatever your situation is, if you are struggling to cope with your workload, give yourself permission to make some changes.
Nobody will make them for us and if they do, the changes won’t be in alignment with our personal goals.
It’s a delicate dance! It can take trial and error to find out what works.
My wish: I hope you find a schedule that sets you free, rather than holds you captive.
This idea from Marie Forleo has helped me (E:184 of Steven Bartlett's podcast):
With each thing that you do, ask yourself, how does saying ‘yes’ feel in my body? Expansive or contractive? This is your answer.
Thank you for reading my third-ever newsletter!
Just a little reminder you can find me over on:
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p.s. grab your 2023 calendar here and I will be beyond thrilled!
Another great newsletter Hannah! You're becoming quite the writer! Great work, keep it up!
"Give yourself permission to make some changes. Nobody will make them for us." This one hit too close to the heart. If we won't then who will?
Loved this edition Hannah. Inspired me to examine a few things in my own daily schedule.