Thursday 14 July 2011

Me Right Now {and why I'm not 'Fessing up... YET}






Hi there to anyone remaining...I know I haven't been the best commenter these last couple of weeks...I've tried & I've done what I can...but I needed a week away to sort out my sister {see previous post} and spend time with my daughter before she leaves to go back to university this week {insert VERY sad face here!}.  I have about 80 blogs I follow & comment on these days {I mean personal blogs - not including challenge blogs & manufacturer & magazine blogs} & I've had to cut down the time I devote to reading IT ALL & commenting on EVERY POST even if it means some people will feel let down & that I'm disinterested...that's not the case at all...just so you know!  

Going away entailed fitting two weeks deadlines into one - so if you do the math you'll work out that my "break" was needed to recover from my overtime!

Being on 6 Design Teams is a big commitment - one I enjoy very much - but one that takes up a lot of my time - NOT ONLY IN THE SCRAPBOOKING...there is also commenting on all the entries, judging of the entries {which takes a looooong time if you want to be really fair...}, photographing, editing, uploading, compiling challenges, tutorials, blogposts...as well as all the "behind the scenes" design team blog input & discussions.  

Why am I telling you this???  I'm sure that a lot of you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about already...but the reason I'm driving it home is because, for some strange reason, we are not allowed to call it WORK.  Lady Gaga loves her "work", as does Justin Bieber...they are very successful artists who LOVE WHAT THEY DO...but no-one tells them that what they are doing isn't work!

Disagree with me all you like but on my blog I call it work - end of...
{just a little bug bear of mine & now I feel better...whew!}  

Have you seen that sweet Keshet is hosting a "Creative Journey" series on her blog?  

The first writer is Jen Jockisch - and SHE says 

"Be professional. That means no whining, no gossiping, no complaining. If you're looking to break into the industry and have this be more than a hobby, treat it like what you hope it to become - a job."

She agrees with me - so there!

And Keshet's next guest writer is Lisa Truesdell says

"I love what I do. It isn't a perfect job - for all the fun creative time there's paperwork, supply lists, following up and stressful deadlines to deal with. 

But at the end of the day, the fact that I get to share inspiration and help to promote memory keeping really fuels my creative soul."

So if I am to follow Jen's advice & "treat {this hobby} like what {I} hope it to become - a job" then I am on the right track...
What I'm trying to say is DON'T UNDERMINE WHAT YOU DO - it's like saying you're "just a housewife" or "only a mother"...riDICulous...

And I mean that, even if you have no interest on working in the industry by way of design teams, publications, etc.  You scrapbook, yes you enjoy it {and that's great because the ideal in life is to find a JOB that you enjoy so it doesn't FEEL like work} but that doesn't mean it isn't!!!  

You are a memory keeper - the family archivist - the official photographer {added to your other list of titles} yet if you were an au pair you would have a job, if you were a taxi-driver that would be your profession, (but when you are a mother suddenly some people assume you watch soup operas all day)...pfffffttttt!!!


It has nothing to do with money & everything to do with self-esteem & valuing oneself & one's contribution to this life.


And that, dear creative soul mates, is all I have to say for today...

Soon you'll get to read more about my own Creative Journey, on Keshet's blog, as she has kindly invited ME to participate {insert excited yelp!} so until then this is all you get LOL!!!

Hope you'll come back for the next installment soon...






27 comments:

Alison said...

Of course it is 'work',Helen....when I see the amount of time and effort you girls on DTs put in, I am amazed. You would have to treat it as work to enable yourself to allow the time necessary to meet your deadlines etc. Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog
Alison xx

Mitralee said...

HOLY COW! How are you reading my mind all the way from South Africa???

Pearl said...

Yes I do have my dream job already , my dear ! lol I usually tell people I'm a papercraft artiste - that comes across more self explainatory for me it seems - either that or I would say I'm a work from home mother - most people simply assume I'm a corporate executive of some sort , few think I'm a housewife ( am I suppose to self congratulate there ? ;)

It's true some DTs take up more time than others - so it's wise to choose your aapplications from here on . I'm sure I have been on 6 DTs or a little more at some stage in the past -not missing that - usually I like to submit my work a little ahead of the deadlines & that works for me .

Looking forward to your input with the Creative Journey now !

Kerryn said...

I find keeping up with competition entries for the DT's I am on the hardest of all. It does take a huge chunk of time.
YAY on being involved in the Creative Journey! I think you'll have lots of fabulous things to share with everyone :).

Heather Jacob said...

great post Helen .... great to share our thoughts sometimes ..fabulous news about being on Creative Journey sounds yummy ... big, big hugz from me gorgeous girl .. xoxox

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

I always say the place I spend all day at Monday through Friday is just a 'job' and my scrapping/blogging is my 'work'... amen amen amen to this post! :):):):):):):):):):):):)

Jasmine S said...

Well I think you have wrapped me up in that post. I soooo agree with it all. Great post.

Cynthia Lloréns said...

Just a great post my dear...I love all your words!!!!
Congrats for the Creative journey!!!
I like you a lot and I call you my good friend!!!!
Kisses and huges from Brazil
Cynthia

Stefanie said...

It is a beautiful thing when you can go to work with a smile on your face enjoying all the things you do.
Blessings,

yyam said...

It is "work"! I work all day Sunday crafting so that I have something to share on my blog Mondays- Fridays. And I spend an insane amount of time writing posts and commenting. It is a serious commitment.

So I hear you! But I've never been on 6 DTs at once...it must be quite time-consuming.

Bente Fagerberg said...

Hi there you wise woman!
I agree with every word you say.That is exactly the way I feel, but I get it a lot from people who don't get it that I am sitting around cutting up paper all day. They don't say it but their expressions do. And they think how can you run your company all week and then go home to scrap when you should really be cleaning house...
It is so good to hear the justification put so eloquently.
It s so good to come here because you always say it as it is!
Hugs my friend!

Unknown said...

Oh Helen well said, every single word of it is true, I just want to add about the chef work also, that we need to provide...with no job title and sometimes no compliments because it is just what you have to do on top of it all!

Marelize said...

Fantastic post Helen and I agree with everything you said. I like to call my scrapping 'work' as it means I have a job already and don't have to go and look for another one... hehehe. Enjoy the time with your daughter and have a wonderful weekend! xx

Lynette Jacobs said...

LOL! Love the idea of scrapping as a job...now if only I could get paid;-)

scrapbookertink said...

Hi Helen, looks like I have missed a few of your posts, sounds like you are reassessing everything in your life at the moment hope you figure it out my friend! x

Cathy said...

Totally can relate to where you're coming from Helen!! Congrats on the Creative Journey gig and I hope you have a lovely break with your daughter.. big hugs :)))

Bernadine said...

Never undermine who you are. You are one great lady with a big heart.

I had to smile at our post though as when my sister's kids were younger she always used to leave the office and say she is going to her other job.

FiKenward said...

Interesting read Helen, actual came along to check out your CCG page, will come back later and check it out.

Bellaidea said...

You are right! All the way. I just have visitors from SA and next time you need some rest you are welcome! :)

sandi said...

Sometimes ya just gotta get stuff off your chest! If you love what you do, you do it well...I can tell that you LOVE what you do my friend. You've been very busy lately, but all will calm down...you'll see! :)

Mel said...

Oh Helen, I think there are so many of us that share your thoughts here, absolutely a job when you are on a DT, I am on only 1 and had to do this as committments were too much for me also. I am blogging as much as I can too but I understand the reading of each and every one is so important. We are sharing our lives with our gorgeous scrapping. My love to you, enjoy your week ahead with your relies. Melx

Eila Sandberg said...

I toast to you Helen! such a good post and judging by all the comments, there's a good sized cadre of like-minded out there! Really like Pearl's description - "papercrafting artiste" has a good ring to it! Hey, absolutely great news about the Creative Journe gig, good job! Crikey, you follow 80 blogs?! that's a full-time job in itself! + being on 6 DTs and running everything in your home. A whole lot of juggling and time planning required for sure, perfect executive skills in other words! Has Chelsea left for school already? must feel awful to see her go again, but then she'll be home in a few months. Have a really wonderful week darling! xoxoxo

Sharm Nidyanandan said...

LOL!!! you're so right dearie!! :) the commenting and judging is no joke!! n 6 DTs!! I dunno how u manage really!! But I can tell ur doin fab so far!! :) hugs

Marilyn said...

Congratulation on the Creative Journey spot!!!! i understand you, I feel the same but I'm in shock you follow 80 blogs and you're in 6 DT..Oh MY!!!
You're brave!!! you know my story with my work and my second work(scrapbooking) is enough!!! but I love that you're very positive and believe in you and your work and that's very important!!! I got the magazine and I'm in love with your picture..Beautiful!! love how the sunlight reflects on your daughter face and hair. Well Dear, I hope you had a great time with your daughter in the trip, I'm working in my last wedding, I need a vacations!!!! Take Care, HUGS!!!! :)

Pearl said...

Hey girl , American Crafts, Pebbles Inc are now having a DT call which ends July 29. All details on their respective blogs !

nicollelovesscrapbooking.blogspot.com said...

Wow you have a way with words my scrappy friend! I agree with all you have said..i just hope you are able to sleep a bit to rest up for all you do...big hugs..:)

Diana said...

Well said!
However, after reading this, I am even more sure that I don't want to be on any DTs!