Art before Errands
New Year resolutions come and go. And so often come to no fruition.

My goal this year is to keep it simple and streamlined.
So I chose a 2023 word of the year: JOY
And a mantra: Art before Errands

It is too easy to get caught up in the daily doing of life, with chores, emails, groceries, driving, blah blah blah… and I have learned if I go too long without making art, I get really cranky. And then I resent the time spent on necessary chores and errands. Standing in a place of resentment is not healthy for anyone. It will eat you up inside, and my health and making healthy choices, is a prime daily goal of mine.

I have had more and more clarity in recent weeks since I am on a treatment break and realized if I made art first, the days go smoother and easier. And I am happy. Even if it is a 15-minute contour drawing or sketching in my art journal – it makes a huge difference!

Last Wednesday the day was getting away from me for a variety of reasons.

I was feeling irritable at mid-day while setting up the crock pot for dinner and started to get sucked down the rabbit hole of annoyance. Then I remembered Art before Errands, and instead of being angry at myself I stopped and took a moment to feel what I needed.

1.Sustenance, I was very hungry so I heated up leftovers for a quick lunch.

2.Art, so I grabbed a sketchbook and did a quick contour drawing of my foot. (Start where you are – another gem to remember)

3.Fresh air – I took it outside. Sitting outside on a very mild, sunny January day, feeling the line slowly flow onto paper effectively soothed the savage beast.

It cleared my head, shifted my energy and focus, and put me in a much better place.
Not bad for 15 minutes of self-care.