Just Breathe...

Hi, my dear ones, good to be here again!
Let me share this story with you today.
As you probably suspect, I'm a workaholic. This is partly because I'm blessed to be able to do what I love for my living - and partly because I was raised in the belief you have to respect your work, and it is a bad thing to say "no".
I love my job - I'm a full-time artist, designer and teacher - and this career is very time and energy consuming of course. I keep hearing from people they would love to do what I'm doing for living - and when we start discussion they quickly learn the price you have to pay for this kind of lifestyle is quite high: separation from your loved ones, a lot of travelling, stress caused by clients' expectations... not every person is ready to organise whole life around the job - and it is completely understandable and OK. I was trying for a long time to do so - and sometimes I'm doing better, sometimes not really... but what I noticed, with the big help of my friends and family, I forgot how to rest and relax and it started to take its toll on me. I was getting exhausted and hadn't much control over it.
My best friend, who noticed the problem earlier than I did, decided to help and one day I started finding little notes all around my house - reminding me to rest, let go, enjoy the moment or simply - breathe. That was the sweetest, nicest idea and I kept them in their places until now... I keep looking at them every day, smiling. Sometimes I wish I had more of them really!
This project below I made thinking of her. It is personal on many levels, and I will explain why in a moment.

After the surgery, when I got good enough to go back home problem of stopping, letting go and relaxing came back and hit me hard. My friends and my husband, Andrew, were making sure I remembered about taking things easier than before: reminding me constantly about resting, distracting me when I was trying too hard, talking me into activities which I almost forgot I like so much... There was Christmas and New Year too, which I guess helped me to feel less guilty I wasn't focused on my projects and designs that much.

When I finally could start creating I couldn't do anything - my hands and head turned rusty, nothing was coming together and I felt helpless... until I realised I'm trying too hard, again. Instead of taking my time to think, listen to myself and make something that will make me happy. I decided to take baby steps and do everything in slower pace - and here you can see the result.

This project was a challenge for me on so many levels: taking it easier, slower was one of them. Next was brushing off the pressure of expectations - like using the new product (yes, it is the TIME for the new release!) or making something which you can turn into a class. Then next one - using a colourful image, which is not usual for me... and playing with the experimental palette of colours too!

I had moments of doubt of course - for example picking the photo, which is, in fact, a postcard I got as an add-on to one of my favourite magazines, Flow. My first thought was: I didn't take this picture myself... Then everything just clicked into place - the colours and beautiful Nothern Lights paper collection from 7 Dots Studio paired with my Mechanicals and Art alchemy Paints, the fact it is something I got with the magazine I loved and of course - these are TEAcups, where tea is a synonym of calmness and relaxation for me. This crazy soft, dreamy palette I'd never expect to see on my table. And I got it - it was all about giving me a life lesson again. Breathe. Let go. Rely on others more. Find a way.
This just had to happen, right?

(OK, in the end I smuggled some new product on this project too, but not intentionally, really ;))

For your information - here is a list of products I used while creating it - all linked to our Mixed Media Place Store: 

I hope you enjoyed looking at it - and maybe my story is ringing a bell here and there.
See you again soon - and huge hugs

P.S. You could see it already - but here is the first official sneak peek on the new release coming to the stores this winter! Stay tuned to my IG and FB Page to be updated and see more of the details - believe me, they are fab! I can't wait to share more with you - but for now, my lips are sealed...