And soo...I am suspending the TST Clinic for a bit. I think that while everyone really wants to partake in it, time is a major factor. I don't want anyone to think that their shop or blog is not important - all of you are - it's simply that folks are so busy they don't have the time they'd like to have to comment and share.
The TST is going to go through a revolution - how long have I been saying that? I wish I'd never said that to you before. I'm sure you are like, "Riiight, we've heard this one before." However, it's true. My life has gone through such revolutions this year that it's taken longer for me to learn what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it. I'm ready to make the journey.
Process. I have not appreciated the process. I've been goal-oriented so as I was going through the process of learning about who I am and what I want to write and create, I got frustrated and stopped. Inaction is not a good thing for this little camper. I need to be creating even if I'm making mistakes and hating some pieces. It's through that action of creation that I grow and through sharing that I process what I am learning. So the TST is going to focus a bit more on process in some fun ways and bring play to life is a whole new way.
I ask you to bear with me if things don't work 100% the right way at first...I'm learning and I'll be asking for feedback. So, for now, I'd love some feedback on this post, the TST Clinic, process, etc.
I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for all your patience. Each step along this road is new :)
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8 comments:
Tash, I'm so impressed by your willingness to be honest with us and your ability to step back a little when necessary.
I think the clinic idea is fantastic, and I've desperately tried to take part--but exactly as you said, it's been difficult to find good quality time to give a REAL critique... I wonder if sometime down the line it might be good to have two clinics a month or something like that, instead of every week. Maybe each shop/person could have a longer chance to get feedback.
Anyway, process IS so important. I forget that as well. I'm always excited to leap right toward the end result, but forgetting how crucial that journey is for creative growth.
On a separate note, I hope TST hasn't been cutting into YOUR personal time to create, Natasha. I know you've been busy lately with the impending move, but I've sure missed seeing your work. I hope that whatever changes TST goes through, there will be room and time for YOU to play with us. You should never be sacrificed in this process. :)
Sorry for the long answer! Big hugs to you, and thank you for sharing your vulnerability with us.
I understand about the time issue. I hope it does come back because being one of the lucky ones who did get her shops evaulted and will get that advice working once I have more time :) it was really really appreciated!
Funky Monkey Girls,
Jolene
btw, thank you for thinking about this!
Natasha,
I have to agree with Amanda. As much as I've wanted to participate in the clinics, I found it hard to find the time to sit down to give valuable feedback. I like the idea of a once or twice a month so that it would allow for more time to take a look at people's work.
As always, I appreciate your honesty. It makes this space feel real. We are all constantly changing and finding new directions.
I wish you the best on your move and encourage you to spend some time on you and your family right now. Moving is HARD! Best of luck.
Greetings!
Well, the first awesome thing that comes to mind is only sort of related to this, but isn't entirely unrelated either. :-P You mention here that you are an extremely goal-oriented person. Along the path of my life, I've discovered that, for me, it's the Journey that's more important. Neither approach is better or worse, they're just different. :-) I think this goes a long way towards explaining why there've been moments over the last few weeks when we've been very confused by each other, to put it mildly. :-D (Although tons of stress on both sides doesn't exactly help either! Or it does, depending on how you look at it! :-D) Anyway, it's good to know these things, and I think it will really help us work together even better in the future. :-)
As to the Clinics, hmmm... well, the short answer is, I hope you do bring it back, and not just b/c I'm to be one of the folk in it. :-D
I think it provides a valuable service, and it will become an popular piece in time.
Giving more time between shops is good, esp. w/the hollydays coming up, and hopefully everyone being busy w/their shops and all the other hollyday stuff too, but perhaps repost the shop every week?
Same post – different week, kind of thing? Or something to give folk a concrete reminder of "Yes, this. :-D " I know that for myself, there are comments on Treats that I still owe, and do fully plan on doing one of these days, but it is easy to forget when the post isn't in front of your face. :-)
BB & GF! :-)
-Bird
Greetings!
Also, if I may, I think I'm not the only one who needs to learn to be more gentle w/myself. :-) You've done amazing things this year, and even just from what you've chosen to share here, I can tell how much growing and changing you've done. :-)
Be easy on yourself. :-) We'll be here, growing and learning alongside you. :-) It's all good, neh? :-D
BB & GF! :-)
*hugs!*
-Bird
Ditto. Me too, Natasha. I've been so in process myself with things in an upheaval... I just haven't been able to do all the blog things I want to.
And sometimes, maybe we don't value our lives outside of our goals quite as much as we should. We have to work within our constraints, right?
I'll start from this place...I adore all of you. I mean that. I really do. Thank you for being these warm, open souls who freely share your thoughts with me. That is why I am able to come here and share with you.
Thank you to all of you so much for everything...truly. To be honest, I feel as though many things in my life have taken me away from my passion and that passion is writing and creating. My focus has been getting there or as a dear friend pointed this out - finding, reaching for "it" whatever that end goal was. But watching my daughter the other day and thinking about the stories behind the pieces created here made me want to slow down. I'm going to write more about that in another post but the idea of process has become huge. In slowing down - being forced to with all the moving/home finding stuff - made me think a lot. As a friend asked me while trying to find my home, what are you learning? My first answer was - to hate brokers and landlords, etc. LOL but I really had to think about it and then out of the blue a friend I hadn't seen in ages asked what I do and I answered and she said, " But what's in your heart." I stopped. I mean it, I just stopped. It took me a minute to respond - write and create.
I have missed the TST and submitting. I love being a part of the art and talking about it all..so as I gear up to make a major living change I'm making personal and professional changes too and it feels good. The TST doesn't drain me, it fuels me. The positive energy that I gather from all of you...the good, the rough, the thoughtful...all of it has helped me grow.
The last year of my life has been amazing - it's had some serious highs and lows and you've all seen many of them has been all about exploration - something I hadn't seen till now. Since December when I opened my little shop SOOO much has changed ....it's been incredible and what I am discovering is that I am loving the exploration and want to embrace it more than the results. This is a huge challenge and a huge gift.....anyway, I'm just learning .. I've been learning the whole time and maybe I know nothing more than this...the world seems open with a million possibilities. Just like surfing I have fallen hard, failed and am working to find me, my art, my writing...I'm wide open and a little scared and I know I have more failure ahead but I feel like a window has opened in my soul so I wanted to lean out and shout to all of you. Who knows where this road goes...I don't but I know this place holds magic that I need and so ...I'm going to build more and share more and challenge myself more and I thank you for being here with me, for "getting" me, for making it ok for me to be me...messy and all and sharing your beautiful art and your beautiful heart (such a Sam I am line LOL) with me.
Dearest Natasha,
I can only agree with all the answers you've gotten so far.
In a nutshell: thank you for everything you have done, given and achieved for us.
I just want to add a little something:
"bear with" you?! You have to be kidding! You have been carrying us all on your back.
Thank you for even trying to still do better!
Hugs & Kisses
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