And I thought long and hard about it. I mean there are so MANY things I would love to create and so many new skills to learn. Many of them metalsmith related. Like etching. I would love to learn how to etch. That would combine my love for painting with metal. I could see myself creating a lot of interesting things with that.
But if I seriously would talk about what I'd like to create a bigger network of friends. I am not kidding. Moving to another country, leaving all your friends behind.. Working a full time job and running a business does not leave much for developing friendships. I find myself cringing when the phone rings. I feel like I don't have time to talk on the phone.. I rarely call anyone myself either...
So I don't hang out much with other people... and when I do I find myself incredible awkward.. With very little to say. It didn't always used to be like that but I guess I am just very rusty at this whole social thing. I need to develop my social skills I think :o)
And trust me it's not that I don't want friends. I just find it to be so much hard work. It takes a lot of time and energy to get to know someone. And I guess I don't feel like I have a lot of either one right now. So depressing!
Ha ha so I guess I would love better time management and a refresh course in social skills so that I can find myself surrounded with friends again :o)
~tess
check out my team members thought about this topic
oooooh~ etching is something I plan to learn too :) I even have the stuff. LOL... but I hear ya - I have developed a strong circle of friends in the online community, and this group; but as for local ones I come up at little dry at the moment.
ReplyDeletelol oh Tess - what is my excuse? I live in the same city I grew up in, and still don't have many friends. Perhaps I am a bit awkward as well, and a bit of a loner. Too bad we live so far away, we hit it off great from the start!
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Jaim
I think many of us get so caught up in our work that it's difficult to leave the house/studio to make and keep friends. The online community seems far less demanding and safer... I hope you will go out and make some friends in this new life! :)
ReplyDeleteA very thought-provoking post, Tess! Happy to be blogging with you. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's not unusual for creatives to spend a lot of time deep in thought and making things! I hear you though. My friends tend to be other artists at the shows I do. That's where we visit unless we happen to be in each other's neighborhoods. Then there's my inspiring and very supportive friends from the virtual creative community.
Thanks for being so open and honest! I think that when you're conscious of something you really want in your life, you tend to work it out. :)
hi guys!
ReplyDeleteI think you're absolutely right. I get so caught up in my work that I hardly ever get out in the "real world". I hate to admit it but sometimes I feel relieved when the few plans I make fall through and I get to stay at home... Nothing like being in the early thirties and already a hermit LOL
But yeah I am aware of what I am doing and how I am acting and I have decided to really make an effort to reconnect with my friends and maybe even make some new ones in the process.
After all your work can't really keep you warm on cold nights or lend an ear to listen to you rant about some epic failure in the studio.
:o)
Ha, you sound like me! Full time job, online business and no one I know is in the same circumstance, so I don't talk much when I see people. Not even my family understands. I love to spend time at home just working away. I'm a loner in my mid 30's!
ReplyDeleteI have the same exact issues as you mentioned. Don't feel alone as I am sure that there are many other artists who are going through the same exact thing. I think my friends are pretty much convinced that I have "lost it" at this point.
ReplyDeleteIntrovert - a person who is energized by being alone and whose energy is drained by being around other people.
Yep thats me right about now :)
I feel like I am making excuses to NOT go out, but am I? Starting a business is no joke, and most people will say that it takes at least 2 years to get back to a somewhat normal lifestyle. Until then you will have to live through your business/art, which isn't so bad :)
I can relate to this also, my friends pretty much consider me a recluse and are very forgiving because they know I need to work to stay happy. Most of them are other artists of some type - either in the visual or performing arts, and they tend to be very understanding. Meeting new people becomes more difficult as we age, I have found that joining local organizations like craft guilds, etc. can help. I also meet lots of interesting people when I do art festivals, as Jan said. There's a kinship/brotherhood there, and it's nice.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to know that I am in good company and that I am not the only one who struggles with this.
ReplyDelete:o)
Oh Tess, you are definitely not alone! As an artist who is passionate about what you do, it is natural to want to spend every spare minute creating. But as Bill mentioned, spending a huge amount of your time creating IS required when you are trying to build and run a successful business. I honestly don't know how you do it as well as working full-time...you must be some kind of Super Woman!
ReplyDeleteWith two boisterous toddlers to nurture, my time for creating is limited...but I certainly spend every spare moment I can doing it ;-) And I don't know what I would do without my wonderful online friends, who make up for my serious lack of friends in real life!
It seems that many of us can relate to what you've written! I do too, and I really appreciate your thoughtful post on the subject. :)
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