Putting myself at the top of my to do list has taken years. I feel my balance is much healthier. A turning point for me was to begin and add to a list titled Things I Love. Cheese scones was the first entry. I still add to it, many many entries now and it helped me feel seen by myself.
Thank you Jude. I like the idea of a list. I have a notebook for future plans. It came out of a friend asking me what my favourite day looked like and I couldn't answer. Keep feeding your soul.
We have to put our own dreams first in order to enable the dreams of those around us. If you are creative you need to do this and you become so much more for those you live. I really enjoyed reading this Helen and being who you are meant to be is not selfish - I’ve just found your blog as you turned up on my suggested reads today and I have just subscribed 🩵
Just getting to this now, Helen. What a refreshing post. Your writing has helped me start tipping the balance even more in the direction of the creative life, thank you.
I apologise for my previous post which was a bit harsh. Going through a difficult time. Only a few days ago I had Googled 'are artists selfish?' then I read your article. I think the defining factor of an artist may be that they have a 'true north ', this makes it easier for them to pursue their goal - whether this is selfish or necessary. If we were all truly selfish the wouldn't function, it is about finding the right balance.
I have done one of your workshops on Textile Artist's Stitch Club which I enjoyed and I also discovered your website which I will now get back to.
Thanks for coming back to add another comment. Your first one made me reflect on my privileges (which are many) but I hope never to seem entitled. I've struggled with my need to be me (my true north) and the commitment to mothering (currently home ed). In writing I hope to give others the time to question their own and barriers to creativity, of which we all have some. Wishing you well through this difficult time. Thanks for reading my posts.
I will never be an artist. I have enjoyed craft all my life and thought I wanted to be an artist but now I'm not so sure. I found enormous satisfaction raising my children and later caring for my husband. All this talk about honouring yourself - how very lucky you are, how privileged. Some people don't have the choice. I think artists are selfish and I don't want to be like that. Different species.
Another thought provoking read.
Putting myself at the top of my to do list has taken years. I feel my balance is much healthier. A turning point for me was to begin and add to a list titled Things I Love. Cheese scones was the first entry. I still add to it, many many entries now and it helped me feel seen by myself.
If my soul isn't fed, I feel unwell.
Thank you Jude. I like the idea of a list. I have a notebook for future plans. It came out of a friend asking me what my favourite day looked like and I couldn't answer. Keep feeding your soul.
Yes, designing a day is a great exercise. There's often a bookshop, museum, and tea shop involved!
Perfect. Simple pleasures are the best.
A beautiful post, full of truth.
We have to put our own dreams first in order to enable the dreams of those around us. If you are creative you need to do this and you become so much more for those you live. I really enjoyed reading this Helen and being who you are meant to be is not selfish - I’ve just found your blog as you turned up on my suggested reads today and I have just subscribed 🩵
Just getting to this now, Helen. What a refreshing post. Your writing has helped me start tipping the balance even more in the direction of the creative life, thank you.
I apologise for my previous post which was a bit harsh. Going through a difficult time. Only a few days ago I had Googled 'are artists selfish?' then I read your article. I think the defining factor of an artist may be that they have a 'true north ', this makes it easier for them to pursue their goal - whether this is selfish or necessary. If we were all truly selfish the wouldn't function, it is about finding the right balance.
I have done one of your workshops on Textile Artist's Stitch Club which I enjoyed and I also discovered your website which I will now get back to.
Thanks for coming back to add another comment. Your first one made me reflect on my privileges (which are many) but I hope never to seem entitled. I've struggled with my need to be me (my true north) and the commitment to mothering (currently home ed). In writing I hope to give others the time to question their own and barriers to creativity, of which we all have some. Wishing you well through this difficult time. Thanks for reading my posts.
I will never be an artist. I have enjoyed craft all my life and thought I wanted to be an artist but now I'm not so sure. I found enormous satisfaction raising my children and later caring for my husband. All this talk about honouring yourself - how very lucky you are, how privileged. Some people don't have the choice. I think artists are selfish and I don't want to be like that. Different species.