I love the week between Christmas and the first few days of the New Year. I love the hectic time before it and after but there is something about this time of year that seems to lift the pressure of deadlines and allows me to be very productive. 

This last week I have created all of the promotional materials & website updates for our new group exhibition in the gallery share, communicated with each of the artists in the outgoing show and incoming, taken down the “fall in to creativity art” (not to mention the holiday decor), installed the new art for the “warm up to creativity” exhibit, handled some of the accounting side of the studio (not a fave activity lol), planned the artists salons for 2021 and even began to plan for virtual workshop/course offerings (which came to me in a dream so obviously, I need to create them!), had Christmas with my little bubble (pre-lockdown), read a book for the pure joy of it, had virtual Christmas & New Year celebrations, concepted my next series of art!

All of this productivity leads me to wonder what has been so different in this period of time? The deadlines were there (like planning to launch the new show January 2nd and lining up the salons in January but they did not feel ominous or pressure filled. It is probably partly due to our lockdown situation as well as knowing many companies close down over the holidays, which more than limits social engagements, phone calls and virtual meets are more social than business, and the launch of a new year to look forward to new challenges, the hope for an easing of the pandemic, and it allows one to consider that family and friends are the most important elements to wellbeing, which then makes one realize how (for most of us) our general business activities are not a matter of life and death. I love what I do and I know that helps and I hope that you do as well.

In fact, it leads me to consider the way I determine what my productivity or lack thereof will result in — which goals can, should and/or will be met, what those ultimate goals are and how valid the pressure is that I put on myself or experience externally. 

Can you do that? step back and look at this in a more detached fashion? One of the ways I do that is if I’m feeling anxious or concerned about getting something done I stop and ask myself “what is the worst thing that can happen?!” If I don’t get the art installed on time, if someone has to wait for information, etc. etc. Once I face those potential fall-outs I seem to be able to calm down and then I get more done. More often than not, I actually end up accomplishing all that I have set out to do!

This also has me thinking about the creative retreats I have done [always away from home and studio, either in northern Ontario or out of country] - I stayed connected but primarily focused on creating new paintings and considering my life situation - I always come back very centred and calm and during the time away I’m very productive. My retreats are not a ‘holiday’ but the feelings I walk away with are much the same as when I have totally disconnected and explored a new culture or country and spent a week on a beach! 

My conclusion is that it is a matter of living in the moment. Enjoying as many of them as you can individually and trying to keep that momentum and motivation by considering every action you take, how you’re using your time and why you are doing something.

I’m not always successful at keeping my zen and thoughtful state, and by year’s end, I know I am wound which is why the retreats are so important. I’ve had to adjust my expectation of that given our pandemic, while this week has accomplished that for me I am going to take an at-home retreat. Granted I will have to rearrange some furniture as well as some of my usual home activities to do this but that is my first goal for this upcoming year (in case I drop off for a week or so lol). 

Can you do something similar - even if it is a weekend or dividing your time so that your “free” time brings you joy and you’re able to handle the times when commitments, whether to work or others, are easier.

Now I have to write a little addendum to this post! My nephew sent me a text and told me to watch “Soul” (it’s a Disney pixar production) and so thought I’d take a chance since he’s been pretty great at recommending shows and music for me lol. Coincidence he sent it to me today - yep! He had no idea I was blogging about this very topic. And now, I’m recommending you watch it too. It is a ‘finding your passion’ story but more than that it speaks to goals, recognizing value in the little things you do and the moments we live. 

Find the question, thought or action that will keep you or put you on track and put the fun in 2021!