Like many of you good folks out there, 2024 was a very trying, challenging year for me. Along with world woes, my husband & I decided to pack up our family house of 40 years and move to a new house in a new neighborhood. Then we purchased a smaller house which needed a ton of renovation after years of neglect.
So, we boxed up everything and stored it all, except what we really needed imminently. We had no kitchen, no furniture except our bed, one very basic old bathroom, and a backyard that was a veritable jungle. We lived rustically as we tore apart, then built back the house that we now love. It was a very difficult 6 months for all of us (my husband, me, and the dog & cat).
My art medium is wet felting, which involves working with loose fibers. With all of the construction mess, there was absolutely no way I could create any art or even set up my art studio. But my art is also my therapy. So, the conundrum was, how do I stay sane and creative during one of the most stressful times of my life?
I think it is a given that during stressful times, we must rely on our family & friends for much-needed emotional support. Aside from that necessary foundation, here are some of the ways that I managed to cope. They may not all work for you. But there are several suggestions; I feel certain you’ll find something that works for you.
Whenever I was at a breaking point, I went outside. Luckily, our backyard is beautiful and big. The dog loves it, as do the neighborhood birds. If sitting out there or playing with the dog wasn’t enough, I got very good at using a pickax! I became the badass with a pickax. I also took very long walks with our dog, which helped me get to know the neighborhood. We also took breaks from the house to go camping. Nature is definitely a calming force. Go outside!
Quiet observation of our surroundings. Again, in nature, we must be present to gain the benefits of being outside. For me this was a type of mindfulness & meditation. I would take note of the types of plants that are prevalent in this neighborhood. I would notice other people, especially other dog walkers, which led to me making several new friendships. I would get lost in the neighborhood and try to find my way home without help. It was a way of engaging in openness, curiosity and learning, that was fun and relaxing.
Find other creative ventures that are small ways to help one cope. For instance, I decided that every single morning I would read for an hour. I wrote in a journal so that I could look back and remember each day (and eventually laugh?). I volunteered at a flower farm. I was supposed to have an art residency in the month of August, which I had to defer. But, my actual residence became my “residency”, as I was tasked with finding lots of house stuff, from contractors to finishes. This kept me looking at lots of colors, keeping me busy by choosing, buying and building.
Looking back at the last year, I remember feeling absolutely overwhelmed by each large task as it came up. But now I can say that we built our home with intention and love [and we lived to tell!].
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