Day 31: Starting Over

I'm rethinking everything. I've been selling paintings and folk art for twelve years now. When I dusted off this blog, I read some of my early blog posts. They had a sense of excitement to them. What's different between then and now?

1. I had more time. I was working a night job, and making art during the day while my kids were in school. All that has changed. My kids are graduated. My oldest still needs support 24-7. We've finally been able to get into a kind of rhythm with some wonderful caregivers for him for a few hours a week.
2. I had more energy 12 years ago! 
3. Twelve years ago, I didn't box myself in. I was working on different types of things each week.
4. My oldest son had people working with him who knew him very well and were experienced and capable.
5. I was part of a creative group. 
6. I had one creative blog, not three.
7. I had no interest in politics other than voting for a decent candidate. 
8. There was no Facebook or Twitter!
9. I didn't have so much stuff in my workroom. 
10. I was more hopeful.
11. I made more assemblages.
12. I made more paintings.
13. I sketched more. 
14. I journaled more.
15. I sold a lot of dolls for $14.99 on EBay in my learning curve. ;-)
16. I wasn't creating TO sell as a starting point. I was selling what I enjoyed creating

I'm not sure what all that means but some of these hold the secret to restarting. 

The window has been replaced in my basement sewing room. Next week I can start loading things back in. I'm only bringing back in what brings joy. Or I can use. Instead of my wobbly ironing board, I'm going to set up an ironing station like one of these I saw on Pinterest.