I Long for A Big, Wide-Open Stretch of Time to Create and Write
If people ask me, what do I need the most (other than basic necessities), I always tell them I need time. I need a big, wide-open stretch of time where there is no interruptions from my children or from anyone, so I can focus on my art and writing here on Steemit. As a stay-at-home mother (SAHM), people often assumed that I have plenty of time to do what I want - on Facebook or watching soap operas on TV all day, everyday. Sorry to burst their bubbles of fancy assumptions - that is so far from the truth. Maybe some SAHMs truly are blessed that they don't have to worry about earning money on their spare time and their husbands provide everything for them or they come from landed gentry. It is not true in my case. Every little spare time I have I use it to work on commission portraits or to update and promote my online shop or my coloring books and pages. And also now that I am on Steemit, I need time to write too. Though my earnings are small but they do help in paying for bills and groceries.
If I could, I would love to spend all day, everyday just to draw and paint. That would be lovely. I would produce hundreds of paintings and sell them off and make a huge amount of money. But if only. I guess there is no such thing. If there is, probably it is just a temporary state like when someone receives a grant or artist's residency). And once the grant is spent or residency is over, life will inevitably rush back in.
The author Herman Melville once wrote to his friend, the author Nathaniel Hawthorne, complaining that he could not find time to write his book about a whale. He said he long for some peaceful time to write. However, that time never exist for him. Melville was broke and depressed. But amazingly he managed to write Moby Dick.
Longing for that long stretch of peaceful uninterrupted time is just a fantasy, well, for me at least. I just need make full use of what I have in hand, to create and write during the stolen moments or residual time. The Irish poet, Patrick Kavanagh says it wonderfully in his poem The Self-Slaved:
See over there
A created splendour
Made by one individual
From things residual
What about you? How do you find time to pursue your interest? You can leave your comments below.
My Previous Posts
Upvote and resteem if you think they are worthy. Thank you!
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8th ARTstyleART Challenge: My Painting of St. Basil's Cathedral, Moscow
Tiger Stencil Painting - Finally Completed!
Pencil Portrait: Luciana Zogbi - A Brazilian Lebanese Beauty
Watercolor Painting: Twilight Sky
I crave unscheduled, quiet time as well. I have to juggle children and a nearly full time job so when I have a few moments, I am on steemit! I have to remind myself that everything changes, and to cherish my children while they are little 👶🏼👶🏼
You are right @fleur. This is just a season in life. Someday the children will grow and maybe we are free to do what we want then. For now lets be grateful for what we have :)
I wanna ask you a question. When did you started drawing these wonderful arts? These are way beautiful and perfect. @coloringiship
Thank you @binhdiem. That is so kind of you to say that. I have always been artsy most all my life but I didn't take it serious enough until about a couple of years ago :)
I don't lament your position, and I hope it improves. I don't really have many responsibilities outside of the 9-5. Normally at least, I'm on the job hunt now. Bachelor life though, so I'm largely on my own schedule.
Honestly, when I have gotten too busy in the past, my interests often die off. I've got many unfinished books I've tried to write, but by now I've forgotten the story to each of them.
To be honest sometimes I missed that life pre-kids without a lot of interruptions but such is life. This is just a season. My children will grow and leave the nest and probably I will have the time I need then. For now I just try to count my blessings and be grateful for all I have. All the best in pursuing your writing :)
I'm sure it'll feel like no time when they can help around the house a bit more, for better or worse :) Time always marches forward one way or another.
Wish you and yours all the best as well. May life become at least a bit simpler for you soon :)
Thank you @johnyliltoe :)