Art Therapy

[ReNae Stueve]

Kim,

I've got to ditto everything said here about taking care of yourself. Painting 12 hours a day may be a blessing, but as you said, your not putting out the work you'd hoped. Dr. Phil... would say, This isn't working for you. or is it. My younger years were much like yours with kids house and bills to pay. It was often overwhelming. And sleepless nights made it worse. I would describe myself as a procrastinator as well.

I had the occasion to do some research into the procrastinator, and in short, found that we are over achievers, not slackers, and that we see ourselves being able to take on many tasks, and have the ability to conquer almost any difficulty. But because we have the knowledge that what ever mountain we choose to climb will in the end not be that difficult, we loose sight of the steps and time needed to complete the process..... at least consciously. Subconsciously the "Fear " is emerging. Especially in the spring, where our doors and windows are opened up and new plans are spinning around.

I would lay awake, with half baked thoughts spinning in my head. Lots of plans but no "plan". My research suggested that what we lacked were practical management skills. The mundane act of making goal lists and getting down to the minutia...

It was difficult for me to get started, so I took baby steps. One day at a time so to speak. Like Monday, make lunches, vacuum, get the oil changed, book vacations, grocery shop, do my nails, paint 12 hours....

Whew, who could sleep?. But when I broke it down. Put the day on a time line.......prioritized... what could be canceled?, and forgot about Tuesday till Tuesday got here.... I could sleep. My subconscious was no longer trying to get me to make a list, cause I'd already done it. Now I start my day with a plan and end it with a pat on the back for a day well used. And I sleep. I'm still a crazy overachiever, who is getting more done.

And when I''m rested, I'm more creative. And when I'm focused I'm more creative. Robert Glenn talks about "Getting into the Zone" this week, and I can't do that when I'm preoccupied with nagging tasks looming in the back of my mind.

Good luck and Happy "Daylight Savings" it's our national holiday :-)