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Monday, December 21, 2009

Stressing the Good

I started playing this game with myself a few months ago. Shortly after I started the post-baccalaureate ceramics program at the University of Florida, I found that my stress level was steadily increasing. I had grossly underestimated how much time would be involved in going back to school, and was struggling to maintain my current work load while challenging myself creatively and artistically.


Sick of hearing myself complain about it, I made a conscious effort to remove the word “busy” from my vocabulary.


I’m finding this new game kinda fun. AND it’s actually alleviated a lot of my stress. By not focusing so much on everything I have to do and how little time there is to do it, I’m actually able to get more done and the whole experience is much more enjoyable. I realized that I was expending a lot of energy worrying, when that energy could be put to better use on positive thoughts and actions.


I guess I bring this up now because the holidays are upon us and 2010 is just around the corner. Like many, I do a lot of reflecting this time of year. What changes did I make? What was I able to accomplish? (check out Alyson Stanfield’s Art Biz Blog and Art Marketing Podcast for my favorite end-of-the-year exercise.) What would I like to do differently? How can I re-prioritize my time? How can I live the happiest life possible?


There's a quote posted in my studio that says “She succeeds beautifully by doing nothing more than being the best possible version of herself.” That is what I want; for each of us to be the best possible versions of ourselves.


Thank you for reading and keeping up with me throughout the year. Happy Holidays to you and your families and I will see you in 2010.


Cheers!

Meagan

Newest Work: Botanical Building Blocks, earthenware and fused glass, 22" x 22" x 2", 2009.


Botanical Building Blocks, detail.

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5 comments:

ang design said...

wow i'm seeing some familiar shapes in there meagan, just super stuff, have a great christmas...

Unknown said...

New work looks beautiful and rich. Insightful blog post. I hear you!

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

Was great reading this! On my walk yesterday, I listened to Alyson's podcast with the end-of-year exercise. How fun to see it referenced in your blog.

Loved this post about approaching life with gratitude and acceptance for where you are. I've found that it takes practice to really live in that space. I have a tendency to always be "thinking forward," about where I should be, what I should be doing, should, should, should.

Doing much better these days feeling so grateful about where I am... Living "in the moment" right here, right now - where things are pretty much the way they're supposed to be. Including me!

Joy Tanner said...

love your new work meagan! and your non-busy approach!

sorry we'll miss each other in NC, maybe I'll come down to FL for some warmth in my cold days of february!

hope you have a great christmas with your family!

Meagan Chaney Gumpert said...

Thanks Ang, Linda, Patricia, and Joy! Hope all had a Merry Christmas!

~Meagan