August 26, 2024
My son said "keep on keeping on mom"! Of course I will never give up, but I have to say that web sites, etsy stores, and social media are HARD! And all I really want to do is make art!
I am an artist and my goal is to be a well paid artist, through the means of working with online stores, social media and ultimately my website. But I'm tellin' ya, I have an amazing amount of information to sift through and oh so much to learn! I have been watching free "master classes" which I have learned is the new word for infomercials! Though I have gleaned a little bit of information I am unsure whether it constitutes useful or not. But I respect their reasons why, as they are selling a product, their knowledge after all. I can say, without doubt though, that when I do figure it all out and succeed, I will share what I know to the next gal who is looking to figure it out as well.
I have been away from my restaurant job now for almost a month - oddly enough it feels like it's been longer. I've sold an original piece of art privately, and one tote bag from my etsy store. And I do not look at that as being a small feat! LOL this is big to me! Like I feel accomplished!! And I started a 100 day posting reels challenge on instagram. I bought a ring light, I video stupid shit, like pouring coffee in my cup at 5:00 in the morning, the washing machine window at the laundromat, thinking, “hey self, this might be useful content at any given time”.
I have spent my entire adult life working hard, long long hours on my feet, days upon days without a day off, sometimes 2 jobs at a time. My feet are just now, after a month of not standing for hours at a time, are relaxed and not hurting. My hands still hurt, but not like they did daily, cramped up around a chef’s knife, the handle of a hot pan, or a spatula of some manner or form. I don’t have to worry about someone else's decision or schedule, or ordering enough product and inventory - well you get the drill.
I spend my day with my dogs, all day, oh how they and myself love that! I draw and paint, sometimes an entire day from 5:00 am until 7:00 or 8:00 at night. I decide when I want to do something other than create art and it only affects me. I feel free, and almost completely without pain. Well my brain feels pain sometimes with frustration. But guess what, mostly I feel excited! I am learning something completely out of my comfort zone. I loved cooking and running kitchens for a very long time, I loved solving daily problems and creating food that people loved and talked about (a little braggy there, I know). I thrived on the hustle, I thrived on the creativity and the techniques, I thrived on mentoring cooks, and pushing people to do and be better at their jobs - until I didn’t.
I am a year and a half away from 60 years old and I am excited about life and what comes next in this new way of making a living. I somedays am riddled with doubt - but God talks me through it. I sometimes worry about my income, but I can hustle with the best of them. I’m still cooking, but just a few times a month and I work for myself. I got this, I’m doing this, and I will succeed at this. I am operating fully on faith and it is glorious.
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