Taking Breath.
Lately I’ve been struggling to keep time aside for my own creative pursuits and it’s been ever so frustrating. Amidst a business that completely surrounds all things creative, I still end up with so little opportunity to explore the things that really inspire and motivate me. Probably because when I’m not running the creative business, I’m buried underneath other business.. family business or school business or renovation business. Oh, and did I ever mention we also have a childcare center? That we do.
And another not so small something..you know when I said I was thinking of moving on from making babies? Or trying to make babies? Well I didn’t. I haven’t. In a four year long moment of insanity, it seems I’m not yet able to let go of that particular wish and each babyless month continues to roll around while I continue to visit the doctor or the clinic or the acupuncturist, lugging along a confusing jumble of hope and resignation and frustration..all wrapped up in a heavy layer of meh. If I ponder it too long I feel 1000 degrees of unstable so lets not.
My point is that much of my week is spent juggling a lot of balls, all of which I have a great deal of passion, good help and only just enough time for. Generally, I manage okay. I wouldn’t say I’m the most structured person on the Planet and every day is just about crossing off the things that absolutely have to be done but I seem to get from A to B with my sanity in tact most of the time. Do I think there is a better way? Hell yes. Am I going to pull that off any time soon? Twice over, Hell no. So I just accept the crazy that seems to be our lives and appreciate the good things that come out of the madness. The trouble with this is that in the midst of trying to being efficient and organized and positive there are many days where I find I barely resemble myself anymore. Where a ponytail is essential and somehow a balanced meal is not.
So, I’ve gone and done something that feels awfully indulgent, but so very right. I’ve taken back Thursdays. Yes yes, I’m putting aside one day a week that belongs to me. Not the busy, stretched, distracted, whats-next-on-the-list-me but the other one. The girl who used to lie under the sprinkler outside, listening to The Doors. Her. I leave all of the grown up things back at Wednesday night and for just one day, I hang out. I have hot chocolate with my sister. We order nachos. We reminisce and dream and sometimes we laugh so hard nothing comes out. We swap Canon and Nikon. We play with film. Or Instagram. It doesn’t matter. We talk to strangers and we ask to take their photos and no one’s ever said no. We’ve had massages and we’ve explored the dollar stores and we’ve tracked down the house we lived in as toddlers. We drive with no set destination and no schedule and eventually, someone has to ring us to say come home.
It took me so very long to justify this time in my week..years actually..and now I can’t imagine it not being there. So you, all of you frazzled working mothers, sahm mothers, self employed business owners, dedicated employees, stressed out students..I think we should all take back a day in our week. If it feels hard to do, it isn’t. Really, it isn’t. It’s actually much harder to get by without it. No matter how important your role in whatever realm, I’m inviting you to set aside something for yourself. Your self will pay you back ten fold. What say you?
xx
28 shared sentiments
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Your comment has made me smile Liza..you have the best location to create in and I can’t imagine how joyful your heart must be to finally be following this dream. Huge congratulations to you, I hope opportunities find you en masse. Let me know if you need help in any way, whatever it may be.
xx
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aahh miss sheye sheye you always seem to know how to say things so beautifully. mmmm a whole day for me. I truly can’t think of anything I need more at the moment. if I can just find the diary I never use to pencil it in until it becomes an unbreakable habit…
you are never far from my thoughts and I hope with all I am that from those visits to the doctors and clinics and acupuncturists will come what you so desperately hope for. xoxo
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It’s funny, you’re the second person in two days to suggest this to me. I’m blessedly fortunate that I, in theory, have the whole week to myself to choose to do whatever I wish… In between school pick-ups. And the accounting. And the driving. And the errands… that somehow my week is sucked away and I don’t remember what I did with the time. Hmmm, food for thought, as always, Sheye!!!!
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HEEELLLPPP – I need your thursday – I am currently being swallowed by my new creative pursuits that as you say create more business!!!! I do fear that if I take “thursday” however my current 3am bedtime will mean I never get to sleep whatsoever! Why have we done this to ourselves – why can we not say no to everything that lands on our plate! OK enough of my rant – see you in the forum – had better get snapping!!! Leanne xx
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happy thursdays to you, sweet sheye. i often wonder who said work weeks needed to be 5 days work & 2 days off, and why not 4 & 3?? the dream is to one day make my own schedule, and cross off months on the calendar where there is no work, and only PLAY :) xx
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What say me is HELL YES.
My daughter is a Type One Diabetic and I just yes. I need to do this.
For me.
xx-Z
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I’m liking it. A lot.
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Thank you Sheye, this is just what I needed to read right now. I’m going to take back a day for me too :)
And the pic with the wooden sayings… where is that!? I think I have to have the ‘love what you do’ one.
Happy Thursday for tomorrow xo
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This is EXACTLY what I’ve been feeling but couldn’t articulate! Thank you for shining a light and leading the way!
Happy Thursday!
xxx
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Thank you for the sweet Thursday wishes..I’m excited for tomorrow! Amy, the shop was in West End, just on one of the main streets? If I’m back that way tomorrow I’ll keep an eye out for where exactly.
xx
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I say yes.
YES!
Might have to start with half a day though.
Surely the sky will fall in otherwise???
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Beautiful as always Sheye. You always leave me feeling inspired. Thank you.
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Gorgeous images and a post that has left me wishing. Wishing more than anything that those appointments will come to fruition… I still believe they will…..
As for a whole day off …. hmmmmmm. Maybe in a year or two lol x
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Absolutely perfectly stated! I think I’ll go with Thursdays too! Well, at least a half of the day to start. :)
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Sounds delightful – and must be filling your cup up – which is something you need and definitely deserve.
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Thankyou dear sheye for opening my eyes once again. Love the images they go perfectly with the post. Am taking breath now and reclaiming a little ‘me’ time. Enjoy your day today Xx
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Silly new facebook made me miss this one… I hope you had a awesome thursday …. and the doors… reminds me of my 16 year old self and being truly in love for the first time and see the doors movie together… I smile at the memories…
I am in love with those photos and I want that pink tutu! that is so omg cute! and the love what you do poster… I need that one for the empty hanger in my bedroom… you will have to know where !!!
Enjoy and deep breathe in!
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oh yes yes yes. all of the above. i need to take back a day just for me. so happy to hear your happy thursday – and your film photography. just lovely. xo
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good for you sheye, good for you!
you deserve this time!
you shine….
tara
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Heya Sheye, thanks for your comment. You’re so sweet. I may take you up on your offer (of help)& enrol in your on line courses. Word on the street is they kick some major photographic ass! Yayness! Stay tuned xx
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You are a very fabulous woman.
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and when do we actually meet? ;-)
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what a beautiful way to spend your thursday! i sure do like the sound of it… i have been thinking about doing this exact same thing for sometime… you may have inspired me! thanks for sharing lovely xxx
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Sheye – I so loved reading this post Thank you!!!!! – Good for you Thursdays!!!!!!! I love your photos too, I can’t wait to see more – just so wonderful and sending you a millions ond one wishes of good luck with making babes <3
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I can only see photos, not text :(
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never filter. so much love for you today & always. jules xo
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Love these.
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I love seeing in frames, I love the beauty in the ordinary, I love my camera, I love that when I see images I hear too. I love the latelight, I love finding moments I didn’t imagine and I love creating moments I did. I love learning more every day, I love sharing what I’ve come to know, and I love making pictures pretty.
I’m so glad you stopped by. xx
Heya Sheye, Oooh these pics are really cool! Being a working Mummaluka also, I can totally relate to your lack of ‘aside time’. I have been interested in photography since the late 80′s. I even studied it for a spell….then life got in the way. That Pesky life! So here I am 20 odd years later, still snap happy, but not ‘life happy’. Currently working as a Bookbinder & watching all these wonderful talented photographers/Stylists/Designers wander in to work (& subsequently carry out their finished custom made folios), & generally being inspired by the likes of peeps like your fine self, I FINALLY got the courage to throw caution to the wind & rent myself a little studio (Nicholas Building – Flinders Lane/Melbourne). This girl dinosaur is SLOWLY but SURELY getting her photography shite together again. Still lots to learn, but having a great time making mistakes (& hopefully learning from them!) My ‘aside’ day is Friday & I can’t think of a better way to start the weekend! :)