Taking Your Time Back
This week I went back to work for the latest season of Murdoch Mysteries where I work as an illustrator and graphic designer. As good as the job is, it leaves very little time for creating personal work. I have a 50-hour work week plus a daily commute of 2 hours (1 hour each way).
But I know that the way to keep from burning out as a creative person is to make sure that you create things that are personally important. This is different for every person. For some it'll be cooking, or journaling. for others, it'll be making bespoke guitar pedals. For me, it’s drawing and painting.
I've struggled with burnout for most of my working career. So learning how to make time to create personal work is an ongoing goal.
For the Last 2 years I've been privileged enough to have the use of a company car to drive myself to and from work. This year I decided to give this up so that I can take advantage of my time while on the TTC. To reclaim some control over my time.
In the car sure you can listen to a podcast or audiobook, but you don't take much in because the focus is on driving. But on public transit, as long as your noise-cancelling headphones are working, you have many more options.
Mostly I take this time to do something that is relaxing, to wind down, like playing video games or crocheting. I also take time to do sketching.
The sketch pictured above was in preparation for the painting I'm currently working on. And I have to admit as I write this, that I smile just thinking about it. It’s like I've regained a little bit of my own time. As simple as this sketch is, it was beneficial because it allowed me to explore a few ideas I had been toying with in my head.
Yes, I'm still stuck in a long commute. But I get to use that time to do something that I value. By taking advantage of my commute time on public transit, I'm reclaiming some personal space for creativity. I've found an opportunity in what is usually a hindrance. Life is hard and we all need to find ways to make it more personally meaningful. How will you carve out a bit of time for yourself?
Bye for now!
-Olivia
