As usual you have written about a universal situation that I am facing. I almost wrote “struggling with”, but it’s not a struggle. It’s a reflective time, one that has some urgency surrounding it as the speed of time seems to drive many of my thoughts and actions.
The other end of the teeter-totter seems to be the ripening of wisdom that calms and balances it all.
So much of my life has been driven by my choices to be a mom, then a single mom, and then a curious world traveler. I am such a magnificent composite of these experiences. How do I best express them artistically and sit on my back patio and just be aware of the gorgeous movement of life? The go, go, go button has been pressed down for decades. I don’t want physical conditions to make this decision for me, I want to consciously set a plan in motion.
I suppose it’s like dieting: you stop doing (eating) one unserving activity a week, reflect, and continue to reshape yourself.
As one of your readers I look forward to your posts. I have read your fabulous book. I hope you will continue with these deep thoughts aging brings to our lives.
Yet, I miss the busy hustle bustle of my 50’s and 60’s.
What do we choose? The clock is ticking louder than it ever has.
"The go, go, go button has been pressed down for decades. I don’t want physical conditions to make this decision for me, I want to consciously set a plan in motion." These are such relatable and wise words. I love a plan, too, but this time around I have to feel myself into it and create it as I go. As Justin says to Vada Sultenfuss in My Girl, "It's all about desire."
The comments on this post are a tribute to your influence in the creative community of art quilters. Glad you’re still going to be writing. The best part of any creative process is its ability to serve the needs of the creator even if it’s not shared. ❤️☮️
I am right there with you in the “new Chapter” redefining , what comes next place…just turned 75, ended a long term relationship, and waiting to see what the Universe opens up for my new direction. I am a maker using multi mediums to express with…paint, fabric, hand stitching. I took a workshop with you many, many years ago and you have inspired ever since! Your words and work are beautiful gifts.
to me, an artists can not retire even if he/she wants to. perhaps can take some time off, but retirement means something else for me. today's communication channels are so many, you are right it is hard to cope with all of them at the same time. literally then no time is left for oneself. do what is best for you, but please don't stay distant from us... we love you and your art... esin.
Lesley, You have shared, gifted, and inspired countless quilters over many years - and we are deeply grateful! Preparing work for publication is very different than making a gift or making something just for the joy of making it. Maybe it is time for you to have fewer obligations and more free time, if you discover something new & fantastic I’m sure you’ll share it with us!
Warmest thanks for all you have inspired in me. May your future be filled with good health, joyful family times, adventure, and raucous laughter with friends. Here’s to you, special lady!
Having taken a fall two months ago has given me a strange gift - that of the time to consider all such as you have written about here. As you know, I am older that you by more than 10 years and art has been my life's love and work for more years than I can number. I ask myself 'what would have to happen (besides death) to change or stop what has been my life's work?' Well I still don't have the whole answer to that but at least I am looking to consider such things so that I will not suffer a loss, but will gain something unexpected and good. Wishing you all the best as you create a new path for yourself. (You might get a big wall calendar that you see all the time. When it gets close to saturation (you have to decide what that is) then you have your signal to take stock not overbook yourself. Protect what you have, dear Lesley.
I tend to think that the universe delivers what we need, when we need it, even if it is a fall. providing the gift of time for reassessment. WE will never stop, will we? Why would we? It is our lifeblood. Hope the healing is going well.
Lesley, you moved me profoundly with this message. I’ve been traveling through change the past two years. Your lecture at TOVA was part of the beginning. I’m 71 and 2 months, so the resonance feels right. My husband had been saying for months that retirement means you don’t have to do certain things anymore. That is very freeing. Thank you.
How many years ago did you meet up with five friends in OR before continuing on to one of your earliest teachings at Art and Soul Portland? Five friends who had just been given soul crushing news and were looking for reason. You came into this fractured group and taught Fragments for five days. It was healing, fun and life changing. We spoke of that time as before Lesley and after Lesley. In the wings I have watched you grow your wings and become a beautiful talented woman. Our paths rarely meet now yet I’m still one of your biggest fans and still watching from the wings. I am so excited to experience this next season of yours unfurl and always unknowingly capture pieces of your brilliance. For so many reasons I always have a piece of you in my heart.
So, yes to all this! I have been retired for 5 years now which amazes me as the time has skyrocketed by. The first year was spend re-adjusting, sleeping more for the first time in my life and just taking stock. I arranged for a small bit of volunteer work to give each week an "anchor" and that, for me, has worked well. (I run a small library at the veteran's hospital and since I worked at a large public library for three decades as my real-life gig, this works well and I can still keep my readers' advisory oars in place!)That said, my biggest issues are 1) if I'm not cautious, the days can drift into one another and sometimes that is depressing 2) I sometimes feel a anxiety-inducing sense of disconnect, I can't explain 3) too much time can also equal too much thinking and THAT is the part I have to be on guard about. Also, try to hang out with people of all ages which for you, I suspect will be easy. I wish you all the very best - and as a wise friend told me, retirement is from work - NOT from life! P.S. Love your quotes today.
Thanks for the advice and sharing your own fears and worries. I think the do-nothing days are of value, even if we don't feel that way. It may be part of the reassessing, reevaluating, and even rest stage we are in.
Good morning,
As usual you have written about a universal situation that I am facing. I almost wrote “struggling with”, but it’s not a struggle. It’s a reflective time, one that has some urgency surrounding it as the speed of time seems to drive many of my thoughts and actions.
The other end of the teeter-totter seems to be the ripening of wisdom that calms and balances it all.
So much of my life has been driven by my choices to be a mom, then a single mom, and then a curious world traveler. I am such a magnificent composite of these experiences. How do I best express them artistically and sit on my back patio and just be aware of the gorgeous movement of life? The go, go, go button has been pressed down for decades. I don’t want physical conditions to make this decision for me, I want to consciously set a plan in motion.
I suppose it’s like dieting: you stop doing (eating) one unserving activity a week, reflect, and continue to reshape yourself.
As one of your readers I look forward to your posts. I have read your fabulous book. I hope you will continue with these deep thoughts aging brings to our lives.
Yet, I miss the busy hustle bustle of my 50’s and 60’s.
What do we choose? The clock is ticking louder than it ever has.
I love life so much♥️
"The go, go, go button has been pressed down for decades. I don’t want physical conditions to make this decision for me, I want to consciously set a plan in motion." These are such relatable and wise words. I love a plan, too, but this time around I have to feel myself into it and create it as I go. As Justin says to Vada Sultenfuss in My Girl, "It's all about desire."
Such a thoughtful response! This is why I enjoy Substack so much.
The comments on this post are a tribute to your influence in the creative community of art quilters. Glad you’re still going to be writing. The best part of any creative process is its ability to serve the needs of the creator even if it’s not shared. ❤️☮️
Thank you so much, Margaret.
I am right there with you in the “new Chapter” redefining , what comes next place…just turned 75, ended a long term relationship, and waiting to see what the Universe opens up for my new direction. I am a maker using multi mediums to express with…paint, fabric, hand stitching. I took a workshop with you many, many years ago and you have inspired ever since! Your words and work are beautiful gifts.
Thank you, Killian. I'm glad our paths crossed years ago, and we're still connected. I love how art connects people.
Rest, refresh, recharge, reflect. I am with you in our journey, Lady Alchemy.
Thanks, Emma. We both have further to fly, don't we?
to me, an artists can not retire even if he/she wants to. perhaps can take some time off, but retirement means something else for me. today's communication channels are so many, you are right it is hard to cope with all of them at the same time. literally then no time is left for oneself. do what is best for you, but please don't stay distant from us... we love you and your art... esin.
I will be here esin, sharing as usual, as I move into this unknown territory,
Sounds like a great plan to me. If you do keep sharing your wisdom and experiences here on Substack, I’ll be there.
Time and space, necessary for art. Good to know you'll be here. Thanks, Julie.
Somehow you seem to put into words so many of my thoughts. Never retiring...but constantly re-assessing...re-imagining...re-framing.
My hands need to continue to keep on moving....but now - I do it for myself and whatever comes or resonates with others is a simple bonus.
Thank-you for sharing your journey.
It sounds like we travel on the same journey!
Lesley, You have shared, gifted, and inspired countless quilters over many years - and we are deeply grateful! Preparing work for publication is very different than making a gift or making something just for the joy of making it. Maybe it is time for you to have fewer obligations and more free time, if you discover something new & fantastic I’m sure you’ll share it with us!
Warmest thanks for all you have inspired in me. May your future be filled with good health, joyful family times, adventure, and raucous laughter with friends. Here’s to you, special lady!
Gail Ellspermann, a long time follower & fan!
Such lovely words, Gail. Thank you.
Wishing you all the best in your new adventures!!!
Many thanks, Lisa.
Having taken a fall two months ago has given me a strange gift - that of the time to consider all such as you have written about here. As you know, I am older that you by more than 10 years and art has been my life's love and work for more years than I can number. I ask myself 'what would have to happen (besides death) to change or stop what has been my life's work?' Well I still don't have the whole answer to that but at least I am looking to consider such things so that I will not suffer a loss, but will gain something unexpected and good. Wishing you all the best as you create a new path for yourself. (You might get a big wall calendar that you see all the time. When it gets close to saturation (you have to decide what that is) then you have your signal to take stock not overbook yourself. Protect what you have, dear Lesley.
I tend to think that the universe delivers what we need, when we need it, even if it is a fall. providing the gift of time for reassessment. WE will never stop, will we? Why would we? It is our lifeblood. Hope the healing is going well.
Thank you, Lesley! And a belated Happy Birthday! Coming along.
❤️
Lesley, you moved me profoundly with this message. I’ve been traveling through change the past two years. Your lecture at TOVA was part of the beginning. I’m 71 and 2 months, so the resonance feels right. My husband had been saying for months that retirement means you don’t have to do certain things anymore. That is very freeing. Thank you.
Thank you, Lois. I am so glad that it resonated with you.
How many years ago did you meet up with five friends in OR before continuing on to one of your earliest teachings at Art and Soul Portland? Five friends who had just been given soul crushing news and were looking for reason. You came into this fractured group and taught Fragments for five days. It was healing, fun and life changing. We spoke of that time as before Lesley and after Lesley. In the wings I have watched you grow your wings and become a beautiful talented woman. Our paths rarely meet now yet I’m still one of your biggest fans and still watching from the wings. I am so excited to experience this next season of yours unfurl and always unknowingly capture pieces of your brilliance. For so many reasons I always have a piece of you in my heart.
Thank you for this. It means so much to me. ❤️
I'm so glad to have re-found you and that you'll keep writing as you have so much wisdom to share and the world needs it now more than ever.
I too need to write, as it clears up my head and helps me see my thoughts more clearly. 💕
Thank you so much Hanna, Glad we have been re-connected. Write on...
Have a blessed retirement as you step back. You have been an inspiration to me and I am glad that you will still be writing.
Thank you, Shauna. It's my intention to continue to inspire so I'm glad you'll be here.
So, yes to all this! I have been retired for 5 years now which amazes me as the time has skyrocketed by. The first year was spend re-adjusting, sleeping more for the first time in my life and just taking stock. I arranged for a small bit of volunteer work to give each week an "anchor" and that, for me, has worked well. (I run a small library at the veteran's hospital and since I worked at a large public library for three decades as my real-life gig, this works well and I can still keep my readers' advisory oars in place!)That said, my biggest issues are 1) if I'm not cautious, the days can drift into one another and sometimes that is depressing 2) I sometimes feel a anxiety-inducing sense of disconnect, I can't explain 3) too much time can also equal too much thinking and THAT is the part I have to be on guard about. Also, try to hang out with people of all ages which for you, I suspect will be easy. I wish you all the very best - and as a wise friend told me, retirement is from work - NOT from life! P.S. Love your quotes today.
Thanks for the advice and sharing your own fears and worries. I think the do-nothing days are of value, even if we don't feel that way. It may be part of the reassessing, reevaluating, and even rest stage we are in.