Tone

There is so much negative energy out in the world right now. So many people are unable to go to work, meet, socialize or even shop. It’s made me think about communication, especially when it’s not face to face. I’ve been thinking about how I communicate via email. I’ve been messaging my partners and clients and trying to use sincerity and positive words and punctuation. The exclamation mark is something I use often!

I remember working with someone who typed in all CAPS because she didn’t think it would relay a certain tone. Tone, it’s such a delicate thing…relaying tone via written words. Nowadays people communicate with email vs speaking oftentimes. The world has gotten so busy that email just happens to be one of the easiest forms of communication in the workplace. It’s easy to quickly respond to an email and not think about how it comes across.

During this difficult time I’ve been making it a point to actually call people. Whether it be via some form of video chat or just by telephone. I think the human connection is so important and we often forget about that. I feel we are starting to realize the importance of speaking to each other. Not just communicating with an email or a text.

All that being said, I hope everyone is staying safe and strong. Make sure you are communicating with friends and family. Read what you write prior to sending emails or messages. Tone is very powerful at this time.

The Art

I’ve been dreaming about painting. Painting multiple series so that I could do my own exhibit. It all started with my discounting work to just clean out what I haven’t sold yet. Sort of a fresh start. I typically have about a dozen paintings, just sitting around, not hung. I thought they could give someone joy, so why not just sell them for under their value to force myself to start new projects.

My dreams started with an all black and white theme. I paint with acrylics, which is such a versatile medium. You can do dry brush, or water it down to an almost watercolour look. These dream paintings had the watercolour look to them. Like a women’s dress flowing into the air. Or her hair blowing in the wind. There’s a splash of colour, either on her person or in the background….but mostly just black and white.

The second theme is extremely colourful. Mid century modern almost, geometric shapes, beautiful colour. My husband can build frames that really make this concept a reality. The thin frame around an abstract painting really sets its tone. Talking about frames, for a couple years now I’ve been collecting ornate vintage frames and painting an abstract to sit within it. This is also a very cool look, but I’m now very drawn to the cleaner simpler lines of mid century.

So this will be my focus, painting, the art. I say if you dream about something it’s a sign and I won’t let this inspiration go to waste.

Mid century look

Vintage ornate frame with abstract painting.

2020

I was born on a year ending in 0, and that for some reason has a resonance with me. Probably because another decade has passed, but 2020 to me means a lot. I’m 40. This is a milestone, FORTY! I’ve lived a strange life, and because of that I feel immature in a lot of ways. I still struggle with figuring out who I am. Is that ridiculous? Maybe, maybe not. I mean, I know who I am but I don’t know why I sometimes do what I do, or behave how I behave.

Maybe it’s because I just turned 40 that I’m doing an assessment of my life. My life, in all fairness is great! I’m married to the most patient, understanding and caring man I could’ve asked for. I have an incredible job that allows me freedom to work from anywhere. I live in a home that we own. So there’s really nothing to complain about. The things I’m looking at are deeper, like why do I drink to much? Why do I not utilize my time better? I think I’ve been given so many gifts and am not utilizing them, almost like I’m kiboshing my own success because I feel I’m not worth it.

These are all the things that have been going through my head in the last 24 hours.

Making attainable changes

I’ve read a couple blogs recently about resolutions. People set these lofty goals on New Years and most give up by February. I can recommend setting smaller goals, goals that may take time to achieve but will lead up to a huge change over time.

So….

What I’ve been doing over the last month is really focusing on small work outs. I don’t have a time of time to spend hours a day exercising, but what I can do is 30 minutes in the morning and when I have time throughout the day jump down and pound out some crunches or whatever.

I am still working towards my goal of not drinking throughout the week. I don’t know what it is about sales people, we all seem to drink more than most. It could be that our jobs are stressful, or that often when you meet with clients it’s over drinks, dinner etc. So…when I am not meeting with clients I don’t need to have a drink after work.

First post of the year

This is my first post this year and another focus of mine is to be brutally honest with myself and share my struggles and successes. The only way forward is up!

Thanks for reading and I look forward to sharing more!