Stiletto Heights

I am Jennifer Gordon- a mixed media collage artist and comic writer living in Columbus OH, with my fiance and love- Keith. I specialize in paintings, ACEOS, journals, art boxes and more. I am always available for commissions! Visit my etsy shop at: http://www.stilettoheights.etsy.com

Friday, November 09, 2007

when is the last time you....



had a day off, I mean a real day off.

Are they rare? Or are people having them. You see I can hardly remember anymore.

For 2 years I owned the comic shop with my bubs, which means we had no time off ever, even holidays we either worked or did something that had to do with work, even if all it was, was worry.

Now that I am doing art full time, I feel like it is the same. Now, don;t get me wrong, I am not complaining at all....but it just got to me today, well really last night, that I could not remember a day when I did not do something work related.

now even on "day offs" before I do still check etsy repeated times a day (by check etsy I mean worry, deeply worry....why haven't things sold, and oh, so many things have sold....) I will also list or renew my listings on etsy just to be seen, and this is on a "day off".

On days that I have no time to create it is usually because I am packaging things etc. Now, this is when I begin to worry what it is doing to my brain, why is it I feel guilty when I am not doing "something", I think part of it is because I feel bad that I don't earn a "real salary" and we can never really count on what I make, as sometimes it fluctuates so greatly.

Last night my bubs and I ate dinner and then zoned out in front of the TV, and it was nice, we were playful and relaxed...I did still dash up to my studio a couple times to do the etsy thing, but I wonder if the night would have been just that much better if I did not run off like that.

what am I saying in this long burst of babble, well....maybe I am feeling a little burned out, not in that crazy dog day afternoon kind of way, but burned out enough to need a day where I do nothing at all, I just watch On Golden Pond and weep, or watch a thousand and one episodes of sex and the city.

I will say, I don;t think this fabled "day off" will happen until after Christmas, and that is fine, but it will happen, I am going to plan on it. The odd thing is, is that I remember having real days off when I had a day job, years ago....I would guilt free watch movies all day or just go shopping and out to dinner. I am wondering if that is what I essentially gave up in order to be able to do the art thing for a living.

so, the question was posed, when was your last real day off, where you did nothing except relax or hang out with friends and be social.

OK...babbling has commenced for the day, thank you for reading and humoring me.

ps- images today are of a new collage in my shop that I just love, I am hoping the colors look right on your monitors, I got a new monitor last week and the colors are way different on this, so I am having a hard time judging what is what online.

pps- um............I am "this close" to reaching 1600 sales, so I am offering 20% off all purchases until I hit 1600, and the lucky one who is my 1600th sale just might get lots of extra goodies!! Just write holiday07 in the message section and wait for a new invoice before paying.

:)

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12 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

A day off sound wonderful. For me, it would be a day off from the computer, cell phone, TV and other digital distractions. I would walk in the woods or hike something that climbs skyward. Sleep. Talk. Make love. (Partner required for the last two...with no partner in sight. Le sigh.) Sit by a fire. Talk about my dreams.

This needs to happen. I rarely give myself this kind of break from the "daily grind" that I have created in my life. I will even skip the partner required activities if I can do this solo.

Thanks, Jenn.

8:35 AM  
Blogger Craftymoose Crafts said...

Love the new collage! It looks reddish brown on my laptop,if that helps.

Since I'm a wife & mom inaddition to trying to be a selling artist, I never get a day off. I am more frustrated at the things that intrude & take me away from creating.

9:29 AM  
Blogger tired of it said...

I used to think that my days off were sad and lonely. Then I thought they were an unfortunate luxury (oxymoron fully recognized). After a long time, I see and appreciate the value. I am able to escape for a day to go ski, hike, walk the beach - all by myself or with someone, whatever I choose. My days off are what I make them. I am, however, not one to just curl up and watch movies all day - I am constantly on the go. I wouldn't change that for the world.

9:34 AM  
Blogger Aaron said...

Here's hoping you have one total and complete day off very, very soon. A day away from the computer entirely. This much you've earned, my friend. And it's my wish for you on this Friday morning.

Love you! xoxo

9:35 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm no good with days off. I still find stuff to keep me busy all day. Even now that I'm laid up, I still am doing work from home, and I haven't finished a single book. I have been taking a lot more naps that normal, but that just kind of happens naturally when you don't get out of bed...

10:11 AM  
Blogger G said...

Someone told me a long time ago that the minute you turn something you love into a job is the minute you stop loving it. There are times right now that I can see where she was coming from. I used to hate my day job, but at least I had an occasional day to myself. Now I'm always worrying that I'm not doing enough to keep things going smoothly. I know exactly how you feel! lol

10:24 AM  
Blogger sf said...

Hey Babe,
Yeah, hehehheh a day off. . .
"Wouldn't it be lov-er-ly?"
The closest I come to that is if we go somewhere - now you know the secret to me traveling bug - although even then I usually end up working some, or there are fam obs.
Yes, a day with NOTHING would be swell, but I would want to begin the day with a clean house, garret, etc.
No thing priorly undone to lessen the serenity, Then movies, books, mgazines, a huge pitcher of Cosmos or a thermos full of Swamp Rockets. When the mail arrived, and it would be great mail - magazines, catalogs, packages and party invitations, I would sit in the middle of the floor going through it all leisurely. Cranberry and peach candles smelling up the house in profusion all day and take out tempeh burgers for supper. Up all night for movie marathon, popcorn with hippie flakes and sleep in the next day.
sarah

10:58 AM  
Blogger Caroline said...

I have a 9-5 job with paid leave and weekends free, but I have a difficult time just sitting still and watching TV or reading. When I do sit still, I'm apt to feel guilty for doing so.

I'm almost always on my computer to check the Etsy forums, e-mail, IndiePublic, MySpace, etc. I don't really consider it work, but it does take up a lot of time!

Then there's always something to do around the house. Cleaning, decorating, whatever.

Not to mention the actual photography part! Which I should be planning right now, ack.

10:59 AM  
Blogger Jodi Ohl said...

Even though it's the holiday season, you still need time to refuel, to decompress, and re-energize yourself, if only for a few hours. Maybe plan a 1/2 day off a week and spend it doing something totally unwork related and you'll see a difference in how your feeling.

Your collage is wonderful as usual-on my monitor it's reddish orange with brown undertones. I can see a bit of green in there, too if that helps any.

11:51 AM  
Blogger Chickenbells said...

I own my own business...and I have a "vacation fund" envelope with some $$ in it...I haven't been on a vacation since April 2006...

I have GOT to get out of town...

I just have to...

4:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Everyone deserves a day off. I hope you get yours VERY soon!

xo,

Karen Beth :)

5:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congats on all your sales! I go on vacation to get a day off, never then do I think of work or go near a computer to check on etsy sales either. Thats why you are coming to nyc baby! We will make sure at least one day is pure unadulterated fun.

2:04 PM  

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