Things Need to Change.
My creative business (which I Love), my home and my life (love those too) are very much intertwined. Classic Amy Joanne is ‘Art & Home‘ after-all. Home and Life on the first floor, and Studio Life on the second floor. Each one needs the other to exist.
It has been 3 years since ‘the hiccup’ and the ‘Amy’ part of ‘Classic Amy Joanne‘ is feeling unhealthy, scattered, unable to string a thought or idea together, and not even knowing where I am to be at any given time and so on….yes, things need to change. I need to find balance between the Business Life and Home Life.
The ol’ saying ‘do what you love and you will never work a day in your life‘ is so very true….but it is also tiring just the same and ‘shutting it off’ is even harder to do when you love it. When I look at taking ‘down-time’ I just want to continue what I do as Classic Amy Joanne. I know boo-hoo, right?!?!
The recent commercials have it right ‘it is ok, not to be ok‘.
So here I am, not ok and taking a break to refresh. A break from my retail day job, a break from posting on Social Media, a break from teaching, a break to slow the pace down and come up with a do-able plan to continue to grow (and enjoy) the business I created and have a home life with family and friends too.
This week I began with setting timers, setting the phone aside, and creating a new ‘Work Planner’. My ‘Day Planner’ for Home, Life and Family and a separate Daily ‘Work Planner’ for Classic Amy Joanne.
It feels like a good start.
My ‘Work Life’ looks very different from a normal 9 to 5…..it is created, just like the projects I create. Teaching some days and some nights. Working a retail job some days and some nights and most weekends. Scheduling each day in a weekly/monthly planner is important, remembering to leave 2 days a week for ‘my’ weekend and then creating off hours during the day or evening opposite my work schedule. I know it sounds very regimen but necessary when each day brings something different all hours of the day.
I also struggle with not being able to create every idea at once. The only solution I can come up with for this is to write each idea down in the ‘Plan Book’ (shown below) and add it to the pages of the ‘Work Planner’ as time allows.
Here is how the rest will work….for the ‘Work Life’.
Each Day Sheet in the ‘Work Planner’ (as shown below) is broken down at the top by the day, the week, and the date and then circling if it is a work day or a day off.
The ‘Scheduled For‘ box is for my shift at my retail job or if I will be teaching in the Home Studio, my Tuesday Girls, at the Center or thru Zoom. all Scheduled Time.
The ‘Daily to Do‘ is simply just a listing of ‘must do’ daily activities…such as check for orders, answer emails, read FaceBook comments and post, order supplies, etc.
The ‘Big 4 Hours‘ is to list projects that will take up to 4 hours to complete and to be honest and realistic with myself. From Blog Postings to Base Coating to Designing.
Between the ‘Scheduled For’, the ‘Big 4 hours‘ and the ‘Daily To-Dos’, this will be my work day.
The remaining time….well, it is for my Home Life.
Maybe I will get a chance to paint my kitchen, or make new curtains, or bake sweets for the freezer or learn to crochet or start a punch needle project. (and yet this is how home life intertwines with a creative business life, I digress).
My hopes are that this ‘Work Planner’ will have me back on track and I can leave it behind on my desk when I leave the Studio….with all accomplished.
And pick up my Home Life from there.
I have also been reading a very good book….I feel like it will be a good re-read too. Good advise. A keeper book for sure.
~*~
….and just to share something silly….coming from a girl who loves to make pretties, this is my ‘Plan Book’ with all my ideas and dreams written in….it is a very sloppy homemade book with handmade tabs….with a scribbled black label added to the front….I know right?!?!?! …..so classic. I can’t even believe I am showing this, lol!
A sampling of what is in the ‘Plan Book’ with Tabs such as Class, Journals, Long Term, Blog, Products, Studio and Home.
Has lots of painting projects too~ such as a Christmas Pull Toy, The Toymaker and the Gingerbread Baker, Mrs Claus Gingerbread Countdown with Rolling Pin, The Halloween Keepsake Journal, Elfie Selfies, and a lot more….including new products such as Classic Cling Rubber Stamps and Classic Candle Co, and many more Blog Posts full of information!
Take good care of YOU friend!
I am right there with you – juggling everything from projects to orders to ideas and everything in between. I was probably feeling about like you at the turn of the year, and vowed to change things. Like most changes that last, it doesn’t always come easy. Or quickly. It is a gradual, never-ending process of ‘trial and error’ and seeing what fits YOU and YOUR LIFE best.
Your projects just get better and better, so know we will all be waiting here when YOU are ready. Love you, my creative friend! <3
Good for you. Thank you for your transparency. The struggle is real and I totally get it having a baking business with my daughter. I look forward to the tips you will be sharing with all of us. Rest well.
Juggling it all can take its toll. Please take time for yourself whenever you can. We will still be around…loyal fans.
Amy just remember we will all still be here when you return from your refresh!!! Xo
Amy you come first, period. Without you being in tip top shape the rest won’t follow. We all understand your need to regroup. Take your time!
Kuddos to you for putting yourself first! I believe we are all guilty of doing more than we can and feeling overwhelmed. The best thing you can do for yourself and your health is to create a plan that works for you. Like Jane said, everything else will fall into place. ❤️
You are so sweet! You deserve a break! I have been in a funk (break) since May! I had to laugh that you have made a planner for your “break”! Only you! You are the most well planned person I know!
I love reading your of your achievements, successes as well as your struggles and goals. Thanks so much for sharing!
Wish you the best, don’t forget to put God first and everything else will line up.