Thanks for being here

and small winter wonders

Jan 17, 2024

I have appreciated your readership in Substack so far and welcome your participation and comments along the way. If you are in my narrow definition an Ageless Artist (50 and over )then bravo to you for your contribution to creative content for the world. If you are fortunate enough to have time to create due to retirement or otherwise then I hope you will continue to find community and solidarity in this newsletter. I feel extra cheered by the Artists who contributed to our artist jetpack interviews thus far as they offer another dynamic to understanding how diverse we all are as artists, creators and makers at this time of life ! ..Also a broader understanding of personal journey -and success. More to come in 2024! (If you have missed these interviews you might want to check and see if you are subscribed-It’s free to - “artist jetpack “ as it is a separate newsletter ) I will continue to offer both newsletters free !

There seems to be a lot of focus on planning the year ahead (using a variety of planner type methods) and organizers . Having stepped away from the 9-5 world I continue to plan but now my plans are a little more fluid in nature.

I keep a planner , a quick note journal as well as an everyday journal -completed in morning ala Artist’s Way Morning pages . Everything is written in longhand form as I like to be able to use a pen and paper for the tactile experience. I don’t always write everyday ..but I love having this record of past and future dates and happenings to refer to . I still have deadlines and expectations from others as well as myself-recording everything takes dates out of my swirling brain and on to paper. :-)

Do you continue to keep a planner for yourself even if you are formally retired?

Lovely Sticker on my yearly planner created by Rabbit Dash Coffee house in port Elgin Ontario

Another movement noted is the slow living one -which is something I subscribed to as soon as I turned in my keys to my last formal workplace . It’s much easier for me to strip away the tension and expectations of working for an employer when I am working for myself.

I am wondering if you can identify with the unstructured artist workday ?

Or..Perhaps you are seeking a little more structure in your day?

After two years of informal artist work life I believe I have struck a balance of sorts . Making peace with the ebb and flow of days -and something that I am grateful is that I can finally work at a speed that suits me -and not try to squeeze art creation into evenings and weekends. I work when I feel inspired - and energized!

Speaking of energy ..Like many of us I was feeling quite depleted over the dark month of November and decided to take a proactive stance to my health. My slow leisurely walks with my ever sniffing dog provided me with lovely nature exposure,fresh air - yet I was missing the bit about my heart rate getting some much needed attention.

I have fretted about issues well worth fretting about -yet missing that zest for life . Even my art making did not provide the lift I required.

Feeling slump-y and living too much in my head I decided to take a big step and return to a gym . Let me be frank -I am not enamoured with gyms or equipment . I have a plan that suits me and just that extra 45 minutes every other day seems to have made a difference in my sleeping, my day energy and my attitude. Also I discover that I am further invested in eating well . After a couple of months of this regime I am noticing a difference in my health and well being. I am not seeking weight loss -rather revitalization and zest. I’m trying to cook more and snack a bit less . I’m also down to one heavenly coffee in the morning.

I am making peace with turning in early and rising at 4 or 5 am.

We do need to take care of ourselves . With less time ahead of me than behind I want to make it work. If I wish to make the most of my creativity I also have to attend to myself.

I am finding it’s the small seemingly insignificant moments which light up my days. I am observing more -and using my senses in a whole new way. Noticing everyday small events and documenting them ..

Today I managed a rescue mission of sorts. Our dear juncos or snowbirds have been dancing merrily on the backyard snow drifts and munching on seeds spilled (intentionally) from our chicken feed.

Along came swanky neighbour male tomcat Luke looking greedily at these little frolicing birds posed /ready for imminent attack. I dashed outside without a coat in minus 12 temperature in my large rubber boots and chased Luke before he had a chance to leap.. He was quite chilly to the touch and rolled over for a quick tummy rub before he dashed off down our driveway and back home. Mission accomplished. Juncos intact .