Swift Watching – A Lesson in Taking Time Out

I frequently talk about goals because it is important for self-fulfilment, to have something to aspire to or to create a purpose in life.

I set myself about six goals in January, two have probably fallen by the wayside, no longer part of a master plan, two are works in progress and two I have achieved.  I’ve lost almost two stones in weight in just five months (a goal I had given myself 18 months to complete) and feel so much better for it, and in June learned that not only had I passed my art degree, but landed a distinction.  Of course, neither just happened, I worked hard to achieve both.  The degree involved everything else being put on hold for almost two months, whilst I worked hard on my submissions, waking early.  Hard work really does pay off.

This personal achievement came with some costs.  There were times when I was up at 5am because I could not sleep.  I sat for hours at the weekends with my laptop when I could have been enjoying the garden or walking the dogs.  I have lost focus on developing my art business because I have been pre-occupied with creating an installation piece as my final degree submission and I have failed in marketing my business effectively.  Achievement is a fantastic feeling but it can affect of other areas of your life without proper planning.

So now is the time to take stock.  It can be hard to stop, pause or even breathe once the momentum is running.  I am still waking early but I have no essays to write and sometimes feel at a loss of how to fill my time – so what now?

Blackbird –                words and photos copyright Carolyn Trafford 2019

Now is very definitely the time to stop, take stock and think about what next.  Maybe it is time to revisit my other goals, consider new ones and plan my next steps.  Maybe that will be returning to study and completing my BA.  Maybe it will be taking the time to develop my craft and throw my energy into creating art or cultivate creative freedom programs to help others.

Maybe it is time to take a couple of weeks out just for me.  To learn to breathe and relax again, to re-energise and take time to celebrate my successes.  It is time for me to get my life back into balance.  In the meantime, I may just open a bottle of bubbly.

I took ten minutes out this morning, pausing on my dog walk to watch the swifts on the Caldon Canal.  Like me in the last few weeks, they never seem to stop, constantly on the wing, yet they find time to raise their families and prepare for migration later in the year, staying in the UK for a short time only and making the most of the summer.

Creative Freedom is a fabulous way of focusing on your goals, whatever they may be.  Whatever the goal you wish to achieve then contact Carolyn today on 07714 216388 to claim your free taster session.