It’s ironic that starting this blog has only come from stopping.

Stopping Instagram (for a moment); stopping sending inbox mail; stopping researching; stopping courses, stopping aimlessly staying up until midnight ‘working’ (faffing); stopping relying on my 2 year olds nap time for productivity…

You see, I’m so painfully new to all this, but running a small art business has actually become akin to running a marathon recently. No great problem you say? But I did a half marathon once (and all of the training that goes with it); and, just like running, I was out of breath, I was knackered, I had a massive stitch most of the time and I JUST want to give up.

[I never did another half marathon again by the way, mainly because (despite my half decent time) I f**king hated it. ]

But running, at speed, spinning plates (whatever you want to call it..hey, I know! let’s just call it burnout, because that’s actually what it is?!) whilst trying to create meaningful art does become a (HUGE) problem; trying to do ‘everything’, and having kinda ‘nothing’ to show for it is a real problem that faces me - now and probably for the foreseeable - unless I change things up.

I had some great advice from a really wonderfully talented and extremely experienced artist as I started my ‘Closed for Creation’ hiatus on IG last week; He said:

‘The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing’.

He has absolutely no idea that his very simple advice has been such a poignant and powerful message for me this past couple of weeks - and will now continue to be - as I have written it out and stuck it to my studio wall.

Of course, he couldn’t have been more right: he’d unknowingly hit the nail on the head for me: without art there is no art to sell. I cannot market ‘no art’; I cannot talk about ‘no art’ and I cannot show you all of my inspiring ‘no art’ progress.

So, In short my week (or ten days) off has been wonderful:

I’ve rested, I’ve blissfully napped alongside my 2 year old again, I’ve cleaned my house semi-thorougly for the first time in months, I’ve got my business cashflow spreadsheets up to date, I’ve applied for funding, I’ve watched some netflix, I’ve lit candles, I’ve read a magazine, I’ve taken baths, I mostly re-read a free-lance parenting book, I got drunk and danced with my girlfriends until 1.30am…

I’ve also created 2 whole commission pieces; had a new commission book in for next month, AND I’ve started my blog.

Not bad for 10 days.

London Pigment Natural ink dyes, in walnut, and warm oak gal.

London Pigment Natural dyes on deadstock linen, test pieces.

Natural ink base (here in oak) on deadstock linen.

I’m not going to say I descended into abject bliss the moment I stopped posting: that would be a lie. I had guilt, I had fear and I had a few ‘what do I do now for myself and my business?’ moments; which, probably mostly highlighted further my skewed priorities and my ‘busy’ addiction to Instagram

Do I hate instagram? No! I really actually love it - I always have; I love the social and visual element, it (for the most part) inspires me, enables me to connect with other women in business and artists from all over the world; it has gained me a lot of business from multiple countries, and I have gained business coaching, art advice and 2 blossoming friendships (one IRL) from the platform.

But, was I leaning on Instagram to make me feel ‘busy’?

Yes.

Can it be a time sink and a rabbit hole if you’re not really careful?

Absolutely.

Was I spending TOO much of my very limited time there and procrastinating on my practice and creation?

100.

Natural Ink base (here in walnut), hanging to dry prior to finishing stitches.

Changing anything is scary: saying ‘no’ can often genuinely feel anxiety inducing for FOMO.

We’re so programmed to love routine and habit and all those really lovely cosy and warm things right? And whilst addiction can feel like quite a big word, I can hands-up admit that Instagram can be really addictive for me.

Looking back now - at my mood, my general energy and my work output - this past 10 days has felt so monumental to me that I have decided to routinely take 1 or 2 weeks a month to consciously be away from social media. I will hopefully bake it into my business strategy and I will be #closedforcreation for my practice and my mental health.

So, once in a while, changing something, saying ‘no’, or recognising anything that isn’t serving you, good for you or inspiring you, really IS the best way to move forwards. I’ve just proven that to myself - which will make forging a new (healthier) routine easier. So, if you feel you need to say no to something - give it a go.

Until next time,

Stay creative,

Nikki

Stopping to get started: why pausing Instagram is helping my business and my mental health.

Objects of Meaning