Stress over the Holidays

As a self emlpoyed artist, the stressors of daily living seem to pile up real quick: family, work,  doctors visits, children ( they seem to always need to eat dont they?) car repairs, cleaning, creating, managing, promoting your craft, craft shows, learning new techniques ad infinitum.

So whats a gal to do?  I prefer to continue to work until I am so exhausted I bite everyone's head off or fall into exhaustion.  I realised last year this was not the way to handle it ( for me)  It may work for you though heheh.

I have learned to break projects into manageable bits  and write them on a day planner so I can see progress.  If it is all swirly in my head, I get confuddled and make mistakes.  I also have a stressor on a subconcious level.  Therefore, writing it down takes the stress away.

Meditation is another way that I relieve stress.  Even if you do it for five minute increments throughout the day, it helps you focus on your breathing, lowering your heart rate and becoming in tune to the world around you.   I have visualized  a dark crevice and go there, feeling and being one with the world even if for a bit. Amazingly refreshing.


I try to avoid toxic people or snarky threads cus I get sucked into those always.  I am a wet paint toucher.   I find that not letting my expectations exceed my limitations helps as well.  "an unexamined life is not worth living"  is a truth I believe in.  I know that today is going to be my past tomorrow and I will not get it back. How do I want to spend those precious 24 hours?

Sales are important, but not to the point that I cannot create.  I have spent more time lately promoting and working with others than I have in solitude with my gems and metals.  I  am planning on spending more time with that and listing ( I go in spurts) Unpacking my studio after the move, I was so excited touching the stones .... that is sad that I have neglected my friends.  They give me purpose and comfort in creating.  So that is what I focus on in these times.


So how do you deal with it?