(Vulnerable Share) – The Power of Inhaling
Happy Tuesday beautiful!
I have a vulnerable confession to make.
If you happen to follow us on facebook or instagram, you may have noticed that I haven’t posted a thing in several weeks. WEEKS!
From the time VeruDesigns transitioned from a hobby to a passion-business almost 3 years ago, I have NEVER MISSED more than a few days of staying in touch with our amazing social media friends. Not because “I had to”, but because I really love sharing what goes on behind the scenes in our little world. The fun in VeruDesigns is as much about the process as it’s about its results.
But something happened recently that took me off guard.
Suddenly, I felt tired. Very tired.
Tired of my heavy creative and working schedule from the last few years.
The timing of this strange feeling couldn’t be worse.
A month ago we got a full-page feature in Marie Claire Turkey Magazine, and shortly after in Marie Claire France as well (both, in print and digital). With this sudden new exposure came an unprecedented increase in inquiries, invitations, e-mails, proposals, custom orders, sales…you name it!
Two years ago I would’ve LOVED this. But instead of feeling excited I’ve been feeling extremely overwhelmed.
But not for the reason you may think: Yes, it’s true that as an Artist there is only so much I can handle, but that wasn’t it.
The truth?
I’m empty of ideas. I’m experiencing my first ever temporary “artist-block” (if there is such a thing).
Unlike a product or service, creating ART requires an ingredient that fortunately (or unfortunately) cannot be “scheduled” and “produced” on demand. At least not forever. I’m talking about creativity. Creativity and inspiration are hugely important in what I do.
Creativity is like breathing. When we create art, we’re exhaling. But we can’t exhale forever. Eventually, we have to inhale, or the creativity dies!
So. That’s what I decided to do. I’m inhaling a lot more these days.
That’s when something else hit me!
These things normally don’t happen in isolation. You see, one of my beautiful sisters had been going through a difficult time during the last 6 months. I’d been fantasizing about leaving everything behind (for just a month!) so that I could spend time with her and just be there, with her, for her, unconditionally. But that was clearly impossible given my ever growing commitments, as well as hers (not to mention the fact that we live thousands of miles apart).
And then, right around the time I realized that I had a temporary “creative block”, I got an e-mail from my little sister: She had decided to quit her job, take a month off and buy a ticket to visit us, for a month. Ha! Yes, the Universe works in magical ways.
Right then I knew what I had to do: I said NO to all the new commissions, invitations and collaborations that had a July or August completion date, and YES to all the remaining opportunities that truly excited me, even if I had no clue (yet!) on WHAT or HOW I was going to create them.
And it feels great.
I’m inhaling lots of love. Lots of kindness, lots of understanding, lots of sisters time.
My creative ideas have already started to come back, and so has my excitement. But most importantly, I feel I’m doing exactly what I want and need to do, with whom I want and need to be, for the time that I want and need to be doing this.
Our hearts are always guiding us towards exactly what is right for us. But when the logic of the mind gets in the way, it’s easy to ignore it. And yet, the heart is wise. You see, creativity, at its core is a state of being where the artist is in a receiving mode. A receiving mode for love. Because anything beautiful can only be perceived with loving eyes and a loving heart. And so, it is fair to say that, creativity is something that occurs when the artist is in a loving state. Not in a worrisome state, not in a “strategic” state, not in a “business” state, but in a loving state.
And there is no better way to be in a loving state, than by GIVING love. Unconditionally.
And that is the gift that I’m sharing with my little sister. By loving her with my time, my acceptance, my focus, I’m reflecting back to her the love that she deserves to feel for herself again. And in turn, by allowing me to love her, she has opened the doors to my creativity again.
And that, is the greatest gift she could ever give me.
So… VeruDesigns will remain quiet for a little longer.
If you have ever experienced anything similar (in any way) I’d LOVE to read your story. Please share your thoughts/comments/questions in the comment section below.
Stay well, stay happy and stay healthy.
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I have only one word to describe your post on this Tuesday Morning…”PROFOUND”…Thanks for sharing your inner feelings and thoughts…
Have a wonderful time with your sister. You will be back creating with all kinds of ideas before you know it. 😉
I’ve been in a funk for YEARS! I’m in tears.
Why is it so hard to be kind to oneself? Why is it so much easier to be patient with everyone else except ourselves?
Thank you for writing this. Time to give myself a break!
Beautifully said.
As an artist myself I can totally relate to the frustration of feeling out of ideas. It creates a lot of insecurity in me. I love how gentle you were with yourself. Long enough to allow God show you exactly why you needed to take a break from being productive all the time.
Wise words. Thank you.
I can’t tell you how much i love this:
“creativity, at its core is a state of being where the artist is in a receiving mode. A receiving mode for love. Because anything beautiful can only be perceived with loving eyes and a loving heart. And so, it is fair to say that, creativity is something that occurs when the artist is in a loving state. Not in a worrisome state, not in a “strategic” state, not in a “business” state, but in a loving state.”
Wow.
Veru…tus palabras no podrían ser más elocuentes y en tiempo divino!! Thank you for sharing so vulnerably and so Beautifully! Thank you..this post was exactly what I needed to hear as I am getting out of a funk and looking for evidence around me to believe in myself, my goals, and all that I deserve. Your message this morning was my first and most powerful #evidence. Gracias! ????
Dearest Guisela! – Oh my goodness. We’re all connected. This I know for sure. Expansion comes with a bit of discomfort and uncertainty, which is why I’m 100% sure that you’re in the middle of some amazing personal expansion. I’m honored this short post resonated with you. Hold on. This time will pass. Clarity is on its way. Your wisdom is coming through, your guidance is about to be crystalized and I can’t wait to see where it takes you. With much admiration – V.