We’ve all been there, haven’t we?
We made grand plans. Big, big plans. Ginormous plans that make us toss and turn at night, giddy with excitement. Plans that you try to hide inside you that could just burst right out of your chest in a big bloody showdown, much like in the movies. You know, Aliens-style. But instead you grin. A secret smile that only you know why.
There’s a list. There’s even a list of lists. A list so long that you continuously add to it until it becomes this snake of a paper trail that makes you beam even more in excitement.
A dance in the dark, a skip here and there.
It’s BIG. Oh yeah.
But then.
Nothing happens. You might cross one thing, or two off that list. But then you forget.
Days pass. Weeks. Months. And then before you know it, it’s been a year. Where did the time go?!
I’ll tell you where it might have gone:
Kids. Chores. Being a household manager. Dogs. Cats. Canaries. Parents. Relatives. Simply put: we all have lives outside of our dreams.
Full-time work. Part-time work. Freelance engagements. Contract work. Shitty day at the office. Hey, all valid – we need to eat, don’t we all?
Facebook. Twitter. Pinterest. Youtube. Etsy. Ebay. No? Really?
It’s easy to let other things creep into the cracks of our already fragile plans, hopes and dreams. Nothing is holding them together quite yet.
It’s easier to see what’s right in front of us, and wanting to settle the problems that’s plaguing us before we can even try to grasp something that isn’t quite there yet. Not yet.
It’s easier to say we don’t have enough time, instead of being ruthless with how we spend it.
No time is ever perfect, no situation is ever calm enough. The baby will cry, the dog is sick (and probably vomiting all over the lawn), your house is in a mess, and you have 20 tabs open on your web browser. You’re everywhere, and yet you’re nowhere.
Breathe in. And out.
Close your eyes.
Lie down.
Face down if you feel like it. (it helps me sometimes)
Take some time to think about that BIG dream you’ve been holding on to. 5 minutes. 10.
And when you get up, instead of going straight to your kid/dog/chores/*insert whatever needs your attention*, how about you take that one small step and cross one thing off your list?
No matter how small.
One step.
And wouldn’t you know it: you’re already on your way, getting back on track.
I love it! so true! This made me laugh.
This made me laugh because it’s so true. It happens to the best of us, but if we are able to take one step at a time then we can push forward. Knowing you are able to achieve something encourages you to achieve more!
oh Amy, I feel you just described me!
So true! Thank you for those thoughts, Amy! I feel a little bit less shitty 🙂 You always find a way to embrace with your words and to gently push forward with your encouragement at the same time! 🙂
Thank you, Amy, for the great reminder that we are all human! Maybe artists are even more human than other humans? ; ) It helps to read posts like this, and the responses, to know that we can all get closer to our goals despite those pesky day-to-day obstacles.
Totally agree. It’s so helpful to read these things sometimes to remind myself that there are more people in the world who struggle even with the small steps towards their goals. But once you start, it all flows, right?
I absolutely love this! And sooo happy to have just found your blog 🙂
Yes, Yes and YES!!!
This is my EVERY week, fretting about all my housework chores, shopping, washing ec, that I am not getting into my studio, and yet I put off getting on with my chores, going into my studio..and why??? Who knows.
So, the chores can go suck it. I have a big bag of clay to make stuff with and that is what I am going to do today.
Lorrie xx
p.s. Love the little comic strip.