All Dress Up And No Where To Go?

11:54 AM

Santa Chickadee in Grey Ink
Scrap Paper Sketchbook
Parties, festivities, out and about shopping, cooking, baking, wrapping, celebrating, family and friends dropping by.....and then, done. Over. The week between Christmas and New Year's has always seemed a bit like suspended time to me.  Like we're collectively holding our breath, waiting for something to happen. Like for the new year to begin.

This morning, I felt like our little chickadee, all dressed up, engine idling, and no idea where I was going or what I was suppose to be doing. Out. Of. Sorts. So I do what I always do when I feel this way. I made a to-do list (that's longer than my arm.)

That certainly didn't motivate me. But I didn't/don't want to waste this day or the week.....

...so, I chose two things off my list. I gave myself an hour for each. One was simply cleaning up and putting away some of the extras from the party we hosted and the other was time in my studio to do whatever I wanted—create, clean, paint, scheme, dream, putter, read, etc.

I chose those specific items because I knew they would help to motivate me and because I knew both were guaranteed to make me feel better. Less clutter is always a good thing and my studio is my haven. It makes me happy to spend time there no matter what and I haven't made much time to go in the studio in the last 10 days.

Once I have lunch, I'll pick two more things and set a timeframe in which to work on them. I think one of them is going to be a year-end review of 2010. I'm also going to work on my word-of-the-year for 2011. And who knows, I might even throw out the last of those "sugar bombs" so that I can start to regain my energy!

What are you doing in this week of suspended time?

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9 Creative Thought(s)

  1. I am reclaiming my art room. It has been a "holding room" for years...no more. By the end of this week, it will be a fully functioning art studio again. I won't have to paint in the kitchen unless I want to. Now...to get back to reclamation! (I was taking a break while the tea brewed...) I'm off work all week...and I'm just in the mood to clean! Good luck with your list...

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  2. Yesterday was a day to recuperate! That means I went into my studio and worked on my watercolor journal and did not get in the car or leave the house. New Year's Eve is my husband's birthday and New Year's day is mine, so the rest of the week will be spent packing up the xmas cheer and getting ready for a big party at our house.

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  3. Today is my day to recuperate. Maybe later I will do something of interest. I might even do something creative...right after my nap. Excuse me...

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  4. I'm spending this week puttering in my house--and in my brain! I'm gradually cleaning up after hosting Christmas, and also preparing for houseguest this weekend. I'm trying to finish a couple of books I'm reading, and I'm also going to do the year-end evaluation thing and think about what I want for next year. I like how you've both chosen specific items to accomplish and given yourself time limits. I'm going to try that, because I have the habit of getting involved in something and letting it drag on forever needlessly.

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  5. I spent yesterday cleaning up my studio area, putting away Christmas presents, and freezing everything with sugar. A flu bug found its way to my side of the family's celebration. My hubby is currently down and out, making him 1 of 6 so far. :( I hope to spend the rest of this week disinfecting and decluttering my house, planning projects/goals for the upcoming year, and hopefully greeting the New Year healthy!

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  6. Brilliant, Laure! What a great inspiration.

    I never have that problem, myself, because I love getting back to the quiet and peace of my "real life." Says the hermit.

    But ANYTHING that gets you inspired is good...

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  7. I am collapsing.. That's what I am doing. I took a little break from blogging to get some things done around here with company coming. My house shined for company. I cleaned out every nook and cranny I could and organized my Studio to be more functional. I tossed out file cabinet end of year stuff. It felt good to get these things done. I got on a roll and couldnt quit. I need motivation so company was the motivator. :)) I am hoping my muse shows up again now.

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  8. Sweet birdie! We're hunkered down in the snow here, with our TV fake fire crackling and making me smile and I'm catching up on reading and relaxing--pondering all the things I should be doing! Hahaaaa--enjoy!

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  9. Ah.... reading your words ..
    "... week between Christmas and New Year's has always seemed a bit like suspended time to me. Like we're collectively holding our breath, waiting for something to happen. Like for the new year to begin."

    really resonated with me -- sounded like you put the finger on how I was feeling. It is interesting for me when I don't come up with the words myself, but then find words that speak to just how I'm feeling.

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