It interests me, the way time expands and contracts. The same number of hours can seem like enough, or not enough - spacious, or crowded. Here's the best thing. It has dawned on me that when I go to the studio first thing in the morning, the day becomes more spacious.
Here's what it's like. I wake up, push the button to start my cup of coffee brewing, pee, dress, put my hair in a ponytail, wash my face. I pack up a little more food in an insulated lunchbag or lunchbox, grab my box of stuff to take to the studio, pick up coffee in other hand, and go out the door.
The path to the studio is gently downhill, through open woods. The morning air is usually cool and lush. It's light already - about 8:15. Birds sing. Sometimes I see deer. The studio is only about 250 feet from the cabin, so the walk is fast. I go slowly though, savoring the outdoors. If it's raining, I wear a cheap rainjacket with a great hood that shields my face well.
Once I'm in the studio, I feel at home. If I know what to do first, that's best. If not, I drink my coffee and find out.
I work in the studio till I feel satisfied for the day. Usually that's till 2 or 3. I seem to want to work later and later, so it may expand to 6 or later. A big help is taking enough food, and having food stocked in the studio. Otherwise I interrupt myself just out of hunger.
The great thing is that by starting with artmaking first thing, I seem to have enough time for everything else. The truth is, that other things fade in importance once they've ceased to become distractions and obstacles to starting in the studio. But I do other things - work on my website, do computer work for clients, take walks, watch DVDs. I have enough time.
I thought this might be true earlier. But I couldn't get myself to go to the studio first thing. I'd get up, get my coffee and walk over to the computer and turn it on. "I'll just check my email." "I need to find out the dewpoint." (That's relevant to painting or varnishing metal.) "My client needs me to..." Then I'd just stay at the computer till my mind was too dulled to think kindly of working in the studio. Another day gone.
Here I'll confess that I never did get myself to go to the studio first thing. You know, the last time I made this change, it was at the strong urging of my creativity coach. That worked well but eventually I lapsed back into starting at the computer instead. Recently I was getting desperate. Every night I'd resolve that the next morning, I'd go straight to the studio. Every morning I'd go to the computer instead. Finally my partner said "I'll make sure you go, if that's what you want to do." All it took was being shoved out the door that first day. After that I was able to do it on my own. (Yes, I'm so proud of my four mornings in a row.)
Maybe if I lapse again, I'll ask for help sooner. I hope so. I love having enough time.
4:44:22 PM 
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