If the pandemic has taught me anything, it’s about the importance of joy and the feeling of being in love – with my partner, with my art practice, with my business.
Like most entrepreneurs, I’ve been working very hard to adapt my business to the online world, from offering interactive workshops to students all over the world, to connecting with corporations across Canada and the US, to collaborating across borders on an entry to an international online art exhibit. I’ve learned a lot, made new friends and colleagues all over the world and it has been a mostly positive experience.
But somehow along the way the balance between working hard to pivot and engaging in the work that brings me joy shifted. I was spending most of my time on ‘shoulds’ and not enough time on doing work that brings me joy. My business had started to feel like a burden instead of a passion, and I was exhausted. At first I thought to myself ‘Well everyone’s exhausted. We are in a pandemic after all.’
I realized that I needed to fall in love with my business again.
I made a decision to spend more time in my art practice. My art practice (journaling, spinning, dyeing fabrics, wet felting, rug hooking) feeds my soul and gives me energy. I’m focusing on leaning into what brings me joy and trusting that this will help with feelings of exhaustion and frustration with the ongoing pandemic.
I’m also looking at what is flowing in my business, what is bringing me joy, and running towards that. Trusting that running towards what brings me joy will give me more energy and insight, and will allow me to align with the tasks that are necessary but that I don’t absolutely love. That I will find the balance again.
I’m ready to to regain the sense of ease and excitement in my business. I’m ready to fall in love with it all over again.
How can I help you?
Do you need to fall in love with your life and/or your business again? If you are looking for writing prompts and other resources to release blocks and connect with your creative self, take a look at my two books. Reach out to me if you’d like some help designing a wallhanging that is a reflection of what you need right now. Sign up for my Heart Notes newsletter so you can be the first to hear about upcoming workshops.
Do you need help supporting your team during this post-pandemic transition? At Meryl Cook Engagement by Design I work with teams to raise engagement, relieve anxiety and get out ahead of transitions. Bringing people together to create something lasting and meaningful, while building new skill sets, is at the centre of my process. Connection, purpose and empowerment are outcomes you can expect for your team. Let’s book a short discovery call to discuss how to best support your team.
