Hello friends,
My shed is full of nuts. Literally. I was out there yesterday looking for a pitchfork, when I moved a dusty sled and a pile of walnuts fell on my feet. Clearly the squirrels in my yard are storing up food for the winter. They are definitely not making time for art.
They are sturdy New England squirrels who work first and then play.
And as I stood there in a pile of nuts, something strange happened: I felt guilty. My squirrels reminded me of Aesop’s fable about the The Ants and The Grasshopper. It’s a cautionary tale about prioritizing work over play. The ants are busy stacking seeds all summer while the grasshopper plays music and when winter comes the grasshopper is in deep trouble.
I felt guilty because I spent the day painting instead of doing chores.
Making time for our creative passions can be challenging, so we have to make a decision: should we handle our chores first and use art as a reward or should we to dive into our creative practice and let it fuel the rest of our day? I’m obviously struggling with this decision. Let’s work it out together!
Do Chores First = Art is a Reward
This is the Yankee strategy my squirrels are embracing and doing chores first has some advantages:
Clear Mindset: Getting chores out of the way can help you focus better on your art, free from the nagging worry of unfinished tasks.
Motivation Boost: Knowing that a creative session awaits can make those mundane chores feel less daunting. It’s like giving yourself a little treat for getting things done!
Do Art First = Art is Fuel
On the flip side, I want to make art first thing in the morning which can set a positive, energetic tone for the rest of my day:
Morning Kickstart: Diving into art first thing can boost your mood and creativity, making you more productive and enthusiastic about your chores.
Increased Ingenuity: The creative thinking and inspiration you gain from making art early can help you devise new, ingenious solutions to your other tasks throughout the day, saving you time in the longrun.
Finding Your Sweet Spot
Ultimately, both strategies are legitimate. I think the key is finding what works best for you and making the decision without guilt! Our goal should be to make art a meaningful and enjoyable part of our daily life. Whether we choose to use it as a reward or as a source of energy, the key is to integrate it in a way that feels right.
Happy creating, and here’s to a balanced and art-filled day!
Love, Jess and Slow River Crew
PS. To assuage my guilt, I’m putting up those picnic table squirrel feeders around my yard. Seriously. It will look like my squirrels are out there goofing off and drinking teeny tiny margaritas and I will feel better. - J
