Your experience resonates so much. I fell apart in 2013 and that’s when art came into my life. I too was completely identified with my job, I was my job. Learning the art of S-L-O-W was forced upon me by my body which literally shut down and said Enough! The last ten years have been tough, and amazing. There’s a lot of cr*p written about burnout; there’s no quick fix and I’m out the other side fundamentally changed. I’m glad it happened, truth be told it probably saved my life. Art was the healer and I’m now an artist, something I never aspired to become or imagined saying. A couple of years ago I rediscovered writing, being an author was a long forgotten childhood dream, so here I am on Substack.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this, not least for relating to parts of it so well. You write beautifully. Drawing and studying fine art came in the childhood and youth of my life and brought so much pleasure, release and a connection to my ‘self’. I hope it continues to be just that for you.
I loved reading this post. Your experience mirrors so much my own jurney although for me it has been about letting go of my identity of artist and art teacher and rekindling my love and passion for writing.
Chuckling out loud at 'She works hard, that critic, but she doesn't half contradict herself'. To see that when we are fully identified with its voice is priceless! I was fully absorbed in your writing and loved hearing about your journey so far. And I am feeling a lot of gratitude for Substack - being a newbie like you in what feels like a safe space where we can share who we are without fear is such a gift. Good luck on your ongoing art explorations and your Substack adventure!
I loved reading about how you tried various artistic pursuits *without* trying to turn them into a challenge, a job, or a business. I feel like there is so much pressure to turn your passion into your profession instead of allowing it to be your pleasure.
It's easy to forget that participating in any sort of art-making can be fun without being anything else. I think it's wonderful that you allowed yourself to explore your artistic curiosity and that it led you studying Fine Art. Like you said, maybe it won't be a money-spinning career, but if it fulfills you and maybe even brings joy to other people? That's a spiffy outcome.
Thank you so much for sharing, Rebecca!’ Reading The Artist’s Way, writing morning pages, knitting, sewing, doodling ... i see myself in your essay. Looking forward to reading more from you.
I loved reading your post, and related to much of it , as a frustrated creative/artist wanna be and most of the time the inner critic or exhaustion just gets in the way kinda person.. I just want to say THANK YOU..(that and where can I get my hands on one of those magical sounding hand looms..🤔🤪.)
Rebecca, thank you for all those words. I identified with so much of what you said. I, like you spent years running on empty and trying to juggle so many balls in the air and not doing a good job at any of them. I retired two plus years ago and now am in my seventies and can look back at my younger self with compassion, knowing that my wisdom was hard earned.
Love the Big Girl Rants!
Your experience resonates so much. I fell apart in 2013 and that’s when art came into my life. I too was completely identified with my job, I was my job. Learning the art of S-L-O-W was forced upon me by my body which literally shut down and said Enough! The last ten years have been tough, and amazing. There’s a lot of cr*p written about burnout; there’s no quick fix and I’m out the other side fundamentally changed. I’m glad it happened, truth be told it probably saved my life. Art was the healer and I’m now an artist, something I never aspired to become or imagined saying. A couple of years ago I rediscovered writing, being an author was a long forgotten childhood dream, so here I am on Substack.
Thanks so much for this.
Made my day because I loved your courage and willingness to lean forward into life. I smiled and laughed and read bits out loud to my girlfriend.
The world does need your art.
We all need to art.
This is brilliant, I can't stop smiling. This soft, intuitive, caring creativity is what sustains the soul. I love it. Thank you for sharing.
I woke up to read this newsletter with my coffee and was totally entranced. More please
Love this essay… every word rings true. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this, not least for relating to parts of it so well. You write beautifully. Drawing and studying fine art came in the childhood and youth of my life and brought so much pleasure, release and a connection to my ‘self’. I hope it continues to be just that for you.
I loved reading this post. Your experience mirrors so much my own jurney although for me it has been about letting go of my identity of artist and art teacher and rekindling my love and passion for writing.
HI Rebecca.
Chuckling out loud at 'She works hard, that critic, but she doesn't half contradict herself'. To see that when we are fully identified with its voice is priceless! I was fully absorbed in your writing and loved hearing about your journey so far. And I am feeling a lot of gratitude for Substack - being a newbie like you in what feels like a safe space where we can share who we are without fear is such a gift. Good luck on your ongoing art explorations and your Substack adventure!
I feel like we may hear more from The Critic, so thank you for siding with me, not her!
I loved reading about how you tried various artistic pursuits *without* trying to turn them into a challenge, a job, or a business. I feel like there is so much pressure to turn your passion into your profession instead of allowing it to be your pleasure.
It's easy to forget that participating in any sort of art-making can be fun without being anything else. I think it's wonderful that you allowed yourself to explore your artistic curiosity and that it led you studying Fine Art. Like you said, maybe it won't be a money-spinning career, but if it fulfills you and maybe even brings joy to other people? That's a spiffy outcome.
(Also: Big Girl Rants? Genius!)
Love it! Looking forward to more, please.
Thank you so much for sharing, Rebecca!’ Reading The Artist’s Way, writing morning pages, knitting, sewing, doodling ... i see myself in your essay. Looking forward to reading more from you.
I loved reading your post, and related to much of it , as a frustrated creative/artist wanna be and most of the time the inner critic or exhaustion just gets in the way kinda person.. I just want to say THANK YOU..(that and where can I get my hands on one of those magical sounding hand looms..🤔🤪.)
Rebecca, thank you for all those words. I identified with so much of what you said. I, like you spent years running on empty and trying to juggle so many balls in the air and not doing a good job at any of them. I retired two plus years ago and now am in my seventies and can look back at my younger self with compassion, knowing that my wisdom was hard earned.
I love this, Rebecca! I found myself thinking, how does this woman know so much about me? Thank you for sharing.
Right? Clearly someone has recorded my brain, then translated it into beautiful and heart-zapping writing
It's so nice watching your new artistic path. I love it . X