Balans – Illustrator under a blankie

Since the middle of last year, my life has changed dramatically. From being mostly sick and only focusing on 'self-care', to being super busy with my business. It's quite a change and that's why it was quiet here for a while. But I'm back and it's time to tell you all about how I'm coping with that change AND I have a fun template for you!

Admit

At the end of last year, I was mainly packing orders day in and day out. To my mind, it is one of the toughest things to do, very different from sitting quietly painting. It's hard to admit, because now it's all super fun too, but it was too much. And yet if I could do it all over again, I would do it in a heartbeat, haha!

Admitting that I needed help and admitting that it was actually too much, while I would still like much more (no shortage of enthusiasm) caused me to relapse a few weeks ago. I felt super tired, gloomy and listless.

My body signals

It did take me a few days to make peace with this. But finally my body gives a signal, the signal that things have to be different. The signal that I can also take a break from the hectic months, the signal to look back at all that has happened.

Actually, I am quite happy with that signal function of my body, quite handy right?

Time for change

I first started painting a lot, which I had missed so much in those busy months! From there came back the peace, the wonderment that is so characteristic of me, the fantasy that runs wild again and the cheerfulness. I could even enjoy the cosiness and cosiness again during these grey days.

Besides painting a lot, I also enlisted help, packing help! I am super happy that I dared and was able to take that step, this way there is much more space for myself and my creativity in my week!

Small things

Now that I am starting to pick up all the fun projects again, I do notice that I am busy in my head a lot. It is also all exciting and my body has not yet forgotten the hectic pace of last year. So it is searching for a good balance and regaining the confidence to really take better care of myself. Exciting is fun, of course, but exciting my body also quickly finds very threatening, with accompanying pain and states. That is why I am focusing on the little things in the coming weeks.

Every day I make a list of things that made me happy, amazed or were just magical. Waking up to birdsong, seeing a sunset, cuddling with Bram the dog, spotting the first snowdrops and many more little things.

This keeps me closer to myself and more present I the present moment, the now. It's tempting to think out whole projects, or go down your to-do list in your head but that's how you miss those cute bird sounds!

For you!

I am going to share my little things for a while on Instagram, in my stories. For that, I have created a template. Feel free to use it too! If you like sharing your happy things, tag me in your story and I'll share it, who knows, maybe that way we'll have one big feast of beautiful magical happy moments.