Gliding and Jumping

​I’ve made it over a week and have (so far) kept my resolutions. 

Some days have been easier than others. I have particularly enjoyed the early mornings after I’ve gone to bed at a decent time. The yoga is so rejuvenating when I wake up rested; it has actually been a joy, something for which I've been sincerely excited.

After late nights, like last night, it has been slightly more challenging to peel myself out of the covers, and onto my mat. Still worth it, but challenging.

​Luckily, I know as long as I can get myself out of bed, I can find the kind of yoga to fit whatever space I am in (physically or psychologically). Some days its intense, static, muscle strengthening. Other days, it’s meditative, flexibility and breathing focused. This morning, I chose the latter. 

I love that I can choose how I want to start my morning. I have the option to ease into it slowly like a swan gliding over a still pond or alternatively, jump in head first with gusto!
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This week has been my first full week back to work, so Its been all the more important for me to strive to keep my goals while I get back into my routine. My intention has been to set the standard for how I want to create this habit for the year. And while it would have been feasible for me to do the yoga in the evening some days, I really wanted to establish a morning practice whenever possible.

Literally, the view from my window (at work).

So far. So good.

I’ve also kept up my drawing. As with the yoga, some days I have been able to be more involved and detailed than other days. Regardless, it has been fun.
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Yesterday, I was at the ComedySportz Indianapolis holiday party with my boyfriend and I knew it would be the only chance for me to sketch all day. In the past, not having dedicated time to draw at home or alone would have deterred me from creating at all. However, I reminded myself that I was committed to keeping this promise to myself. So, I went to the party and made some quick gesture drawings on the back of some of Taylor’s old/outdated resumes. 

Are they the most polished of drawings? Um. No. clearly.

However, I find these quick drawings train my eye teach me more about drawing with accuracy than some of my dedicated private drawing time. I can’t remember the last time I practiced drawing in this way, and it makes me happy to know that I’m connecting with my creative spirit.
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Touching on a completely different process, I painted a gouache painting this week along with my other sketches. It accomplished the task of drawing for the day (I consider painting a kind of drawing), as well as creating a little gift for my boss’ milestone birthday. 

​The more I work in gouache, the easier it flows. I really enjoy the process and it’s taking time, but I sense that I am improving ever so incrementally. 

So, overall, I’d say I’m doing pretty well. I’m satisfied. Right now, my focus has shifted from pushing myself to giving myself a little grace. I want to keep the habits up, but I don’t want to push myself too hard. In addition to yoga every morning, I’ve found time to get to the gym for some more intense, cardio-based workouts this week, and I’m planning on going to my Muay Thai class again tonight.

I need to acknowledge, however, I tend to push myself harder than is beneficial, and I know I need to do all I can to care for myself gently as a compliment to the intensity. It can be challenging to strike a balance when all I want to do is see positive changes in my life. However, I’ve learned that the best positive outcomes are usually a result of patience and a gradual shift in behaviors over time. That’s how it is for me anyway.

I will get stronger and be able to hold more complicated poses…not within two weeks, but perhaps with consistent practice, a matter of months. I want to be able to draw with more accuracy and speed, but that’s not going to be immediately perceptible. It’s going to happen in its own time while I keep up with my daily habit. In the meantime, I'm seeking to enjoy the individual sessions for how they make me feel, not just for the outcomes I wish to see.

Along those lines, it often feels like the stressors in my life are overwhelming and I want to do everything I can to take away my anxiety and fears. I do all of the things I know to do when I am overcome with negative emotion: Take my meds daily, exercise, practice mindfulness, get quality sleep, etc. but I’ve accepted that often it just takes time to get past challenging times or situations. I can be doing all of the right things, but emotional pain does not usually sink away down the drain with one relaxing bubble bath. It takes consistent care. I have to make peace with the pain in the meantime, and accept that eventually I will get past it.
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So, I say this to be an encouragement to you. Maybe you’re going through something and you’re barely making it. I’m sure there are many of you out there experiencing pain I can’t even begin to comprehend. I know that you are strong, and it may not get better today, or tomorrow, or the next day. But if you keep trying to care for yourself (whatever way that may be), you will get through it. You are resilient. 

-Angela