– How I deal with not being a morning person in a world where you have to be up
Today is the 2nd of November, and I have a crazy October behind me. This time of year is especially hectic at work and this year even more so due to a lot of extra publications that we did not plan for. I am however grateful for a fantastic team who runs with it.
The Lilliputians have also demanded more of my attention at home, simply because they now get bored and have become expert little manipulators with the ability to get everything they want. I adore them but have to admit that by 7 am I have easily lost about nine arguments with tiny little versions of myself.
When I started my planner I was truly inspired (and intimidated) by the beautiful page spreads that some people create. I wrote a little about this here. As much as I want to make beautiful things I know where my limitations are.
My first attempt at incorporating anything but my handwriting into my planner was a mood tracker with dutch houses. I was in love with the result but it was not something that came naturally to me.
I was probably one of the first people who bought an adult colouring book when they became available. It was in 2015 and I had just finished my Masters’ and I needed to try something totally different.
Only later did I realise that the images that I loved were the mandala ones, the paisley ones…
The idea sprouted that I could perhaps try to draw something like that. When typing Mandala doodles on Pinterest a whole new world opened up for me. The Engineer offered me his compass, and the first mandala was born. I even asked a friend to join me in the mandala challenge. Even though he later decided that it was not for him, I was hooked.
So that following month had a mandala theme in my planner… drawing which I spent more time on than actually planning.
And somewhere on my social media feeds I was introduced to Zentangles. After reading about it a little I learnt that this was a form of therapy as well and the notion of doing something that I really enjoyed and wanted to get better at, was something that could lift my mood… well, it sounded like a perfect fit.
Please forgive this incoherent ramble but there has to be a home for this as well amidst the planning and the sorting and the dreaming.
I wrote about the emotional tracking here and I am struggling today to give the anger a name. I have looked up synonyms: irate, annoyed, displeased, irked… I have weighed them up and turned them around in my mind and on paper… but nothing felt appropriate, nothing was exactly right. And then it dawned on me, what I am feeling is not anger or rage… it is “disappointment”.
I have known this about myself for a long time, but I feel that I have to confess: I like to have choices.
Working from home has forced my work life and my home life to become somewhat … messy. It was something like an inappropriate relationship… the one interfering with the other. Articles for editing waiting on my kitchen counter while cooking dinner. Skype calls interfering with the Lilliputians’ late afternoon tantrums.
There was also the back and forth schlepping of my office supplies.
Today I want to share a teeny tiny post on something that I think it just a beautiful idea. Last week I chatted about my plan for Inktober2020 and also my DIY zentangle tiles… I did, however, have to find the perfect paper and as it goes (clickity click goes the mouse) I came across the concept of artist trading cards.
Is this not a beautiful plan. A tiny personalised gift… or even a collection of these as a feature in your house. A swarm of little miniature paintings. A quick search in Google brought up this Pinterest page. The featured image of this post also shows round die cut tiles, themed as part of a collection.
Isn’t it gorgeous? Just think how annoyingly chuffed I am going to be if I get this right!?!
Here is something I tried about 100 years ago, but I am thinking I will end up with a few friends for this little guy.
So as with all new finds, I have plans. Many many plans. I am inspired and excited, which always breeds hectic online shopping carts, but I am standing strong!
If you want to get started you can purchase cards on Loot here. I am trying to refer you with a fancy URL parameter, but I am not sure that my URL parameter adding skills can be put on my CV just yet. They have options with various colours like black for collages or assorted greys.
Let me know if you are attempting anything for #Inktober2020 or even #InktoberTangles2020? Goodness, I have never hashtagged anything in my life. It is clearly never too late to start.
