Hi! Recently I’ve been having those annoying low attention days and I decided to write about it.
Whatever focus I can muster typically goes to the most pressing deadline… hence this email sitting in draft for longer than I would like to admit!
For some background, I have ADHD and I take medication for it. Even still, there are days when I feel stuck. And even worse, sometimes those days turn into this cycle where I procrastinate, stay up late to meet deadlines, miss hours of sleep, feel horrible about myself the next day, negative self talk turns dials up, get nothing done, continue the cycle.
It’s terrible.
This is a part of my life that has undergone huge transformation and clean up in the past 6 months.
Nothing has whipped my personal routines into shape as much as becoming a full time artist in a production pipeline. I have to meet manufacturers deadlines and show new completed work every week.
I quickly realized the only way I could sustain this was through consistent self-care and nervous system support.
The Struggle of Task Paralysis
Have you heard of task paralysis or executive paralysis? I didn’t know there were words for it but I have experienced it many times.
There are 3 ways people experience this freeze mode…
“Task paralysis prevents starting projects, choice paralysis creates decision-making difficulties through overthinking, and mental paralysis impairs thinking, speaking, or moving when overstimulated.” resource
So much of this freeze has to do with nervous system regulation, or rather, dysregulation.
I’m beginning to realize that a huge part of a sustainable creative practice is consistent nervous system regulation practices.
Short Term Solutions
Sometimes the immediate solution, especially when the task at hand is tied to my jobby job, is to just sit down and start.
- I text a friend and say, I need help. Check in with me in one hour and make sure I started this thing (or you can start a timer).
- I put noise cancelling headphones on and vow NOT TO LEAVE MY SEAT until the task is done. No little snack break (I’m not hungry), no quick check of the email before I start, no scheduling the doctors appointment (I will do anything in the name of procrastination).
- I will take 3 deep breaths with a big sigh because making noise helps.
- I break down the large task into little little tasks. It looks like this…me to myself:
“Open computer”
“Open Photoshop… no, not instagram, Pho-to -shop”
”Ok good, now open New Document”
Once I get a couple steps in me I can typically find my flow.
The Long Game: Consistency
Those tricks get me through the day. What keeps me out of the cycle is quieter: small, consistent practices that tell my body I’m safe, I’m taken care of, and I can rely on myself.
If the words “divine creativity” feel faaaaar from your current experience, I hear you. A few years ago that kind of language would have made me puke a little in my mouth… which clearly needs unpacking.
But here’s what I’ve found. When I tend to my nervous system consistently, the villains still show up: task paralysis, fear, anger, jealousy, overwhelm, unworthiness. They come and go, and my creativity stays intact.
Doesn’t that feel like a superpower?
What I’m Exploring Next
Nervous system regulation as a creative is something I’ve been deep diving into. And with it, many of my routines and rituals have changed. I can’t wait to share more on my quest to sustain creative production and share my creative practice without burning out.
Here’s what’s been helping me stay on track:
- My noise-cancelling headphones [link here]. Love these so much when I need to bring my focus back to myself… sometimes without any music playing!
- A visual desk timer [link here]. Flip this and don’t do anything but the task at hand… it takes 90 minutes to run through. Time to race the clock!
- Little Miss Organized notepad [link here]. For breaking those big tasks into a list of tiny to-dos.
- A favorite mug that keeps my tea and coffe hot [link here]. Honestly sometimes I make tea and I don’t even have to drink it… it’s just this little ritual that transitions me to my desk.
If you enjoyed this, please hit the heart <3
Austin, TX Watercolor Meet-Up and Garden Tour:
Este Gardens
November 20th
10am – 12pm
$10
Pack your paints and meet us for November’s meet up in the garden at Este, the much loved restaurant nestled between East Austin neighborhoods! “Este celebrates fresh seafood, Mexican cuisine, and charcoal cooking.”
We’ll start with a garden walk led by garden manager Anamaría Gutierrez, then settle in at the picnic tables or pull up a chair beside your favorite plant. Jaime will lead a quick warm-up and is around for demos and questions. All levels welcome.
Interested in a meet up but this one has past? No worries, you can always find the next one here.
Online Live Substack Paint:
Messed Up!
December 3rd
10am – 11am
Included in Substack Paid Tier that will be starting after a brief November Pause.
I’ve taken some time to really think about what I want to offer in these monthly live paints and decided to dedicate this time to painting something I’ve never painted before or showing a technique I’ve been interested in but have never done. Essentially giving you a peek into the process of being a beginner years into honing your craft. And also to show… we all mess up, that’s the point.
Subscribe here
