Am I Slowing Down?

or is it a lack of focus

This one’s for you if you live with any number of things you want to do that are too vast to list, much less, to do.

My body has slowed down, my stamina just isn’t what it used to be. But that’s not the issue. The thing troubling me, as I have written about before, is that my mind keeps churning with more ideas and inspiration than this older body can take on. I wake up every day excited, eager, and equipped to take on the world and bring a portion of my unending inspiration to fruition. (Fruition is a happy word: it's derived from the Latin, frui, meaning "to enjoy.") But along about 3 o’clock my body begs for rest. I’ve tried to slow my roll in the mornings so my energy will last longer into the day, but that doesn’t always work. “Pace yourself”, I say to myself. Myself doesn’t always listen. I’m like an over-eager pup.

I have either a very strong work ethic or an aversion to the act of doing nothing (aka resting). I used to pride myself on my ability to multitask (the result of being a self-employed working mom with 6 kids and a burning desire to make stuff). I’m not very good at it anymore which is a good thing, because multi-tasking increases blood pressure and stress. I’ve tried relaxing walks in nature, reading, meditation, and calming music. They all lead to more ideas I want to research or dive into. I am forever curious, overly inventive, and unrelentingly inspired by (almost) every little thing. Like the universe, it can make my want-to-do list feel endless.

In order to become a doer and a maker,
 it is necessary first that the mind’s
 attention become entrapped and
 enthralled by what already exists.
 Mary Oliver

No problem there!

I had to chuckle when I read this line in an Esquire interview with Gloria Steinem, “She will be 90 next month, and it seems her downtime is non-existent. "Do you need that?” I ask. She thinks for a minute and says, “My downtime, I guess, is late at night when I’m watching Law & Order." That’s my down-time, too! Getting visually engrossed in a story, be it a movie, a series, or an art/craft reality show, like Portrait Artist of the Year, Great British Baking Show, etc, is what relaxes me. It shuts off my idea generator. I become a viewer, not a doer. A taker, not a maker. It’s how I unwind from the day. I grew up in a household that tuned into the TV every night. I find it soothing….and sometimes inspiring, too.

My days were calm and comforting when working on the Civil War quilt series. I was focused. I had a deadline. I knew what to do. Now that I have freedom of choice, I ponder and flit, dabble and drift. I am taking action but it is getting me nowhere. And then I remembered….I’ve written about this before. Could the answer be as easy as reminding myself of what I already know? Here’s an excerpt from Drowning in a Sea of Ideas written in June, 2017.

Problems do arise when ideas outweigh time, resources and even space. I’ve identified the top four issues that I’ve experienced, and I’m sure you’ll recognize them, too:

1. Overwhelm – When there are so many things you want to do you can end up in overwhelm and do the unthinkable…..nothing.

2. Fear – “What if I start on this one and it doesn’t turn out the way I expect? Then I’ve wasted my precious time and money on materials.” So there goes that idea…

3. Regret – “If I work on this one, then I won’t be able to work on that one, and what if I forget about the other great idea?”

4. Flitting – While working on this really great idea another even greater one pops into your head and you abandon the first and start on the second. Nothing ever gets finished and you end up with a closet full of unfinished projects you have lost interest in.

So what’s an artist to do? How do you swim when you are drowning in a sea of creative ideas?

To save you from one or all of these situations, here are four life preservers I’m tossing out for you:

1. Keep an idea catcher. It is inevitable that you will get many new ideas while you are working. Keep a note or sketchbook by your side so you can jot them down as you go, another small one in your car, another in your purse, and don’t forget one by your bed! You’ll be amazed at how catching those ideas frees up your attention to focus on the work at hand. P.S. Use your idea catcher 24 hours a day.

2. Work on several things at a time. Who says you can only work on one thing at a time? Ideas need time to percolate, paint needs to dry, workspace shrinks and grows with each project. By having several things in the works at the same time, there’s always something to do, even at a moment’s notice and even in 5-minute snatches of time.

3. Decide! Keep in mind that it’s the journey, not the end-result. Any art you choose to work on contributes to your success as an artist. Whether your purpose is to reduce stress or create something exhibit-worthy, knowing why you are making your art gives you purpose and direction and conquers, inertia, fear and regret. You will benefit no matter what your purpose is. The biggest reward is the joy and physical well-being that result from creating.

4. Have a goal in mind. If you don’t know where you want to go, you’ll never get there. Not knowing why you create can prevent you from creating, even if you have a bazillion ideas. Knowing what you want from your art will help you decide what to work on and why.

Try these tips and stop drowning in a sea of creative ideas.

Above all, keep your head above water!

It’s not that we don’t know. We get overwhelmed and forget what we know to be true and beneficial to our creative practice, however you define that. We are creative every day. I’d rather have a focus than be a flitter. What action will benefit me most today? That’s where I will begin. Now let’s go create.

And one more thing! This just in! I was chatting with a friend on FB and reminded her that you don’t always need to know what you’re going to make. Let the work guide you. Start with one color paint, one piece of fabric, one sentence - whatever your medium is - and then respond to that. Then respond to those 2 items, and so on. Before you know it an idea and direction will begin to take shape. Let action guide the way.

Quote of the Week

The real magic happens inside, in your mind and heart. Only you can commit to making your dream happen, whatever obstacles stand in your way. Only you can turn that key.
Mark McGuinness