Anyone else out there tired of hearing the word pivot?
As a creative, pivot is something we do on a regular basis. It’s almost natural to us. Something we can expect to be a part of our story.
Whether we’ve changed our chosen medium (which as creatives is also completely normal), needed to realign what we do in order to make a better living (again, a typical plot twist for makers), or felt the burnout of working so hard for so long and just needed some space to find clarity and remember why we love this path we’ve chosen…pivoting is a recurring theme in our world.
We all do it, and we all watch our other creative friends do it.
And most times, it’s exactly what we need.
We find a new path, and land back in a place where we can express what we have inside us, while at the same time feel compensated, and I don’t just mean financially. Part of being compensated, is also feeling appreciated and respected. Put all of this together, and that’s where we shine.
There are times though, where we pivot, and pivot, and pivot again in order to try to check all the boxes that are left open.
- Am I creating?
- Am I making enough money?
- Does this opportunity also work for my family and children, and the responsibilities I have to them?
And eventually we find ourselves wondering how we even got to where we are…or worse yet, do I want to be here?
I don’t think I’m there right now, but I can almost feel it creeping up on me.
Maybe it’s the worldwide pandemic that’s got me in a bit of a creative funk (I’m sure it’s not helping!), but I also know that regardless of that, I’m not sure I’m checking the most important box…is my art making me happy?
I love my job, don’t get me wrong. But I’m not creating my own art. As a seamstress, I create other people’s art.
And again, while I love it, and I love bringing other deisgners’ ideas to life, I’m realizing I need to carve out a little more time to express myself creatively …fill my own creative bucket, I guess you could say. I’ve drifted really far from bringing my own ideas to life…and I need to get back to shore.
So, I’m making a conscious effort to set aside time each day for something creative for myself, of my own design, and get back to sharing it here. It isn’t always sewing, in fact most days it’s something else. Most days it’s drawing (a skill I actually feel least confident in, but somehow always helps to get me motivated to create), and some days it’s painting. Some days it’s a project in my house. Some days it’s just crafting with my kids.
I’m not setting any parameters for what I post or how often. Sometimes it will be a how-to like before, but sometimes it will just be a “hey, look at what I made today, thanks for holding me accountable” post…and that’s ok, too.
I’m hoping this will help me avoid a pivot. Or maybe reverse a previous pivot? Actually, I’m not sure what I’m hoping for…except I want to check that most important box.
I want my art to make me happy.
XOXO,
Nikki, In Stitches
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