Sunday, March 8, 2009

Where Women Create

I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately...too many projects all of a sudden, and my manageable life quickly spins out of control. I'm not one of these creative types who can dabble in five projects at a time and juggle life on little or no sleep. If I get involved in too much, then I start forgetting things, missing things, losing things.

Is it a myth that some people can get by on five hours of sleep? I try and get 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night. Eight makes me happy, seven I can still function, and six...well, I don't remember your name, I put the milk carton in the Tupperware cabinet, and cry over a traffic jam. I begin not handling my stress well, and then I can't sleep when I do have the time.

During a trip to the hardware store for one of said projects, I happened on this little gem...
Now, anything from Somerset Studio is just dreamy, perfect for a bubble bath or a five minute time out. This is the second issue of their new magazine, Where Women Create, and it features the shops and work spaces of creative women. I find it inspiring and fun to see their styles come through. And, it helps me remember why I got involved in all these projects in the first place.
So the magazine is highly recommended by me. It does cost a little more, but it only comes out quarterly, and it is choc full of great photography (unlike some other decorating magazines I flip through and think "where are all the ROOMS?").

I did have a moment of pause, however, on the creators page in the front of the magazine. I can identify with her feelings of 'so much too do, not enough time in the day', but on the side bar there was a little daily schedule that started with "Answer e-mail" at 4:30 in the morning, and ended with "Creative Time" from 10 pm to Midnight.
Hello? Does this woman really do it on four and a half hours of sleep? Is that why she's a big time creative editor and I'm happy if I break out the paints once a month? My dog woke up at four thirty last night (yes, this is night) and I almost cried.

Have I been lying to myself thinking I can do creative awesome things a little at a time, and still enjoy luxuries, like sleep?

I can't tell if I'm discouraged, overwhelmed or both. Feel free to leave comments, compliments, or psychological evaluations.

6 comments:

  1. I need at LEAST 8 hours of sleep, preferably 9. My husband can get away with 5-6.

    Maybe you just need to take a little break, or cut something out for right now.

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  2. I think Burton girls need more sleep. It's fact. And I can't seem to get around it. If I don't get 8 I'm a freakin' loon.
    The mag looks cool. I can wait to feel creative in my space again. It's too generic now!

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  3. Hey, Pulsipher, where have you been lately? :)

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  4. I am with you on the sleep. I even blogged about the art of napping! I love sleep and need more then a lot of people. I survived for years while the wee ones were very tiny - but seem to be making up for it this year!

    The book looks beautiful. I need someone to come in to my life and let me only do the things I want. Not HAVE to do (like be, mom/wife) and then I could have a lovely space like this too ;) Excuses huh?! Lovely book.

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  5. I'm coming over from Mormon Mommy Blogs, asking for your help. I am in the running for a round trip airfare paid ticket to Connecticut, to meet a friend I became acquainted with through blogging. She is a super fun person and is holding this contest. I entered a funny story titled "Grapejuice Floaties, Now Marry Me." The person whose story receives the most votes will win a trip to meet this generous lady, whom I'm hoping to meet. The voting ends tonight-midnight. I used to be ahead but there is a story coming up from behind out of nowhere, and it's a tight race now. I would so much appreciate your help. Her blog is www.becausemomsaidso.blogspot.com and the voting is on the sidebar on the right. "Grapejuice, Floaties" Just go there and cast a vote for me, please. Thanks so much-you're awesome! ♥♥
    YOUR VOTE REALLY WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

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  6. I've been wondering the same thing lately. I'll have days were I manage to do a ton of amazing things that every mom/wife/creative person should do (yesterday being a good example) and then the next day it's like I burned myself out and I can hardly think clearly let alone get things done. (Like today) Sleep is a big factor in this problem though . . . My daughter woke me up early today, and yesterday, but we never get to bed very early because night is when I get to see my hubby. I have no idea how people do it on so little sleep, but I'm betting these people will not last forever on such a schedule . . . How can they?

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