remember the oxygen mask
There's a reason airlines tell you to put the mask on first. If you dont care for yourself, then you can't take care of anyone else. And if you're reading this newsletter, you're likely someone who wants to be doing that. The theme for your next couple of weeks is: caring for yourself through stressful and overwhelming times
In this weeks issue I'm going to share some things that work for me and as usual the regular roundup of happy art and culture finds.
ps: If you find this even slightly amusing, helpful, provocative or as a call to action for change in to your own life, consider sharing it with some friends. And thank you!
Table of Contents (update: auto gen.T.O.C now works on your computer. but still not the apps)
What’s up in My Art studio?
New Ventures
Colours I'm in Love with this Week
Crafting Your Contented Mind
Good Eats
Last Words
What’s up in My Art Studio?
This week get much non-digital work done, but I did have fun starting a new portrait. Goodness knows I love a challenge and trying new things. So this work is limited to 3 colours: Qor Green Gold, Daniel Smith Quin. Coral and my trusty Windsor & Newton Payne’s grey. The funny thing is I didn’t even realise how much my subconscious mind has been enjoying the autumnal colours until I put up a bunch of photos in a note and realized I had picked the exact same colour palette for this painting.
Never doubt your intuition - She’s always telling you good things!
New Ventures
If you didn’t get a chance to read the last issue [Art Notes 9 ] I launched a new publication called The Artful Desk: workspace eye candy for artists!
The concept is taking the idea of everyone’s favourite substack notes: the work in progress flatlays with art supplies next level!
So you get all the workspace eye candy plus interviews, behind the scenes info, hearing about why artists do what they love and of course pictures of how they work and their favourite art supplies.
The Artful Desk Issue one is out and features my own workspace.
If you love the whats, the hows and visuals of how other artists work, don’t forget to subscribe because it is free for the next 2 months! Plus you get grandfathered in for a year of content so come and join the community :)
Colours I'm in Love with this Week
The leaves are almost gone but one of my favourite trees is glowing like fire in the light when I’ve been on my walks lately! The Japanese Red Maple with the fallen golden leaves and the green of the pines are just so beautiful. I hope that wherever you are and whatever season you are in, you have a moment this week to just stop and take a breath and enjoy the beauty that is around you.
Crafting Your Contented Mind
I’m gonna be honest, this week has been really challenging for me. I've been overwhelmed and my stress meter is in the high numbers. Not because I'm doing so much work because I love that. But because I inadvertently I saw a couple of reports on the world happenings and it sent me into a spiral.
I'll share that I got rid of TV about 10 years ago and I’m very mindful over my exclusion of mainstream media. While I intentionally like to stay informed with unbiased information about important events - the pure chaos of what is happening in the world right now - especially with our southern neighbours in the US - overwhelmed the heck out of me. I think it is an emotional state that is being experienced by so many of us right now. As someone tending to be a big picture thinker, especially with history in mind, it can easily induce a state of hopelessness.
You feel like you don’t want to sit back and let these things happen, but what can you do as one person? Our challenge is to get out of our own way and remember that we actually have choices. Ones that can contribute to change and making a better life and society for us. It's no secret we’re being intentionally distracted to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. From the bombardment of “news” about world events to flashing media designed to overwhelm your nervous system. And we're seeking solace in our devices.
It’s no wonder you're feeling stressed out, like you don't have enough or you aren't worthy while simultaneously doom scrolling and being fed the happy, shiny, pretty narrative. Yet while you know what's going on and you are smarter than all of this silliness, your nervous system didn't get the memo. Physiologically our systems are trying to adapt to a level of stress that is unprecedented in world history . so no wonder you feel like you can't cope some days!
Here's how you get some relief. Make it easy on yourself and focus on one little thing you can do when overwhelm kicks in. Here’s a couple of my favourites and some ideas that might inspire you this week when you’re feeling like you just can’t take it anymore.
Catch yourself doom scrolling? Try flipping your phone over, removing your glasses if you wear them, and then staring into the distance. You’ll likely catch yourself taking a big breath combing your shoulders will probably drop or go back into alignment and your posture might shift.
Panicked, freaked out or overwhelmed? Do a vagus nerve reset. The short form is that this gentle method it’s telling your nervous system you are safe and bringing your awareness back into your body. You can either gently rub the tragus area of your ear or stroke the side of your neck from under your ear down. Do it very gently and you’ll likely notice relief in a moment. Your body will either take a big breath, the tension will release, you might yawn or suddenly feel lighter or relaxed
Take action on a small scale. It’s amazing how much mental energy small undone tasks take up! this week trying to just get one thing done. Don’t try to knock off the whole laundry list at once, this week just try to get one thing done. Whether that’s throwing in a load of laundry or doing the dishes right away, taking out the recycling or anything that you’ve been putting off. You’ll likely be surprised at how fast it takes and how much lighter and freer you feel afterwards
Feeling hopeless and want to help make a difference but not sure how? Remember you have the freedom of choice. Choose to support someone with a kind word or a smile. You never know what a difference it can make for somebody because we never know what's going on behind the scenes for them.
Choose to shop small knowing the money is going back local community Instead of big corporations.
Do one thing to take care of yourself and know that that action contributed to a better state of mind. And when your state of mind is at ease, you are affecting anyone that comes into contact with you and it perpetuates the cycle.
So you are doing something just by being you!
Good Eats
Since self-care is a focus in this newsletter today, I’m sharing with you one of my favourite drinks to help boost your immune system: Golden Milk.
The great thing about this is that it is 1. so easy and 2. totally customizable! Oh and 3. delicious!
This drink supporting your body and digestion is especially important as we’re going into cold and flu season. Every little bit helps. So try having this 1-2x a week.
Use your favourite animal or plant based milk (you’ll like this drink more because it’s your favourite). The secret is making sure that regardless of what you add in, there must be the combination of turmeric, black pepper and some form of oil/fat. Your body needs these together for maximum absorption and to make use of the vitamins and minerals that are helping boost your immunity.
Depending on the type of milk you use, it may already have oil or added sugars- check the label. Depending on your taste for sweet, I always suggest trying something fun. A little dollop of maple syrup or honey is always delicious.
How to make it: Add 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1/8 teaspoon finely ground pepper and if using fat/oil free plant milk - 1/8 teaspoon neutral oil [don’t use canola or rapeseed] to 1/2 cup warmed up milk of choice. Sweeten to taste but avoid too much which will negate its effectiveness. This is a little sipper to enjoy slowly.
Last Words
“Hardship may dishearten at first, but every hardship passes away. All despair is followed by hope; all darkness is followed by sunshine.”
~ Rumi
Your call to action this week: give yourself a freaking break! Haha - I'm laughing, but also I'm serious. Try taking a literal break instead pushing through.
I'm also talking about taking a moment to congratulate yourself on where you're at. Regardless of how you're feeling emotionally - you're still here! You have contributed to the world simply by being yourself - even if it doesn't feel like it sometimes.
So I say to you: thank you! I hope you continue to share your knowledge, support and love with all of those around you. Even if that means all you can do is to put on your metaphorical oxygen mask and take a break
So take a little “you time” this week and know that you are worth it, and more!
Cheerios
~Tanya