Mother Nature wasn’t showing much love yesterday. She hammered us with a huge blizzard here in the Maritimes.
Here on the North Mountain, the wind hit 93 kph (55mph). At times it shook the whole house, rattling windows and doors. We feel very fortunate we didn’t lose our electricity.
The blizzard also delivered about 60 cm (2ft) of snow in our area but it’s hard to tell as most flat areas were scoured clean. However, where the drifts did build they packed solid and high. I couldn’t get any pictures because our windows were covered by snow and ice blown up against them and going outside was dangerous.
Our home has weathered many storms over the past 125 years. Built by a shipbuilder, it’s solid and we never felt at risk. We did, however, discover that the old plank floor in the living room, while lovely to look at, is definitely drafty. One particular gust apparently hit just right and our area rug poofed up in the middle! Needless to say, there will be more weather proofing done, hopefully before the next nor’easter finds us.
I spent most of the day on my computer listening to the wind batter the windows. In actual fact, I wanted to be in my studio. I just never quite got there. That evening I felt out of sorts and a little dazed. Thinking about it, I recognized the feeling. It resulted from too much time on the computer.
Resistance is alive and well
I recently did a series of social media posts about Resistance which is that push away from our creative heart. You know it’s Resistance when everything else feels more important than what you really want to do. It looks like procrastination and fear is the root. Resistance is also a master of disguise and sneaks up on me all the time.
As I journaled about the storm and how I felt at the end of day, it became clear I’m in danger of re-building a structure to keep me uber-busy. Seems I’m setting a trap for myself where I fall back into the role of shadow artist – supporting the work of others while neglecting my own.
The warning sign was there. I chose to spend all day on my computer and never even went into the Studio. I fought hard to break free of the habits and beliefs that kept me at my desk before we moved. Seems I need to be vigilant or I’ll be back there quicker than you can say “working from home”.
My “Resistance of Choice” looks like busyness. It makes me FEEL all creative and useful while my own work is ignored. If I don’t make a course correction, I’ll end up talking about the work without actually doing the work.
So I reset my boundaries
The computer stays shut down until the afternoon (because I DO need to do some online work plus it keeps me connected to my friends.) When done, I turn it off completely so I can’t just ‘check one thing’.
Mornings are Studio Time. On really good days, I’ll spend all day there.
Today I did a small study in negative painting, trying out colours and technique for a larger painting I’m working on.
I’m giving my creative heart some love for Valentine’s Day.
Great article Aprille, and so true for me as well. You already found the remedy: come up with a formal, balanced schedule of work and play, and stick to it. Stay warm girlfriend!
And stay alert for slippage! At least in my case.
It is so easy to gobble up time at the computer without really accomplishing what need to be done, let alone become free to explore creativity.
Oh that is SO true. I sit down to check one thing and then the rabbit hole opens up. How did we distract ourselves in the Old Days? I can’t remember. 🙂
You really are getting hit hard with storms. When we get a real stormy day I just think of it like a snow day from everything and curl up with a good book in front of the fire place, it is sort of like a gift of a free day and I am finally at a point that I don’t even feel guilty about it anymore. It does take time to let go of your old habits and set new ones. We grew up in an era with a strong work ethic not a strong play ethic but I am working hard to change that and you are helping with that so thank you.
You are so welcome! During the second storm I sat by the picture window knitting and watching the waves break over the rocks. So I can be re-trained. 🙂
Your posts about the creative life on the east coast are delightful. I am proud to say I finally completed a scarf that I started knitting 4 years ago. With a little creative discipline, my next project — a cowl — will be finished in time to test drive it before spring arrives.
Glad to hear you and your house weathered the storm so well!
And delightful to hear from you, Collette! And kudos to you for finishing your UFO (UnFinished Object). A lot of people finally abandon those projects. Hope to hear from you more and that all is well with you.