Kirsty Hall: Broken Bauble, January 2010
Last October I took Alyson Stanfield's excellent Blast Off course. This course was a life-changing experience for me - amongst other things, I realised that I need to find more sustainable ways to manage my health & my art before I can develop my career further.
Basically, I've been trying to build my house on sand. I've been constantly draining myself by doing more than my health allows. Because I'm pig awkward that way.
Last November's arts trail was a good case in point. I've only just been back to take down 3 Score & 10 because I got sick immediately after the trail, then my host fell ill, then there was Christmas & snow. I finally managed to take the work down last Monday but completely exhausted myself in the process and I've been in a proper CFS crash ever since. I'm not quite on bed rest but it's pretty close.
This is clearly absolutely unsustainable; I cannot continue to do shows if it knocks me out for months afterwards.
Now obviously I don't want to give up doing shows: I love exhibiting my work - it's one of my favourite parts of being an artist. Since I want to continue to make art and exhibit it, it's clear to me that I need to do everything in my power to recover from my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
That's a tough call because no one knows what causes it or how to fix it but even if I can't find a permanent cure, I want to get to a healthier place. So I've been working on my pacing and my chronic insomnia. I also took a scary step and in November I joined Slimming World. I've lost 18.5 pounds so far and my goal is lose a further 3 stone by Christmas 2010, something I'm well on track to do. Losing weight is unlikely to be a miracle cure - I was unwell before I put on weight - but I know that being overweight can't be helping. Slimming World is awesome, btw - I won't bang on about it here but email if you'd like to know more about my experiences with it.
Even though I currently feel like Wile E. Coyote after he's been squashed flat by an anvil, I'm taking the long view here. This is definitely NOT me giving up, it's me refocusing and working on the basics. I do still have an art career, I'm just taking the scenic route: there will lots of tea breaks, picnics on the side of the road and photographs of sheep but I'll get there eventually!
Cindy Morefield
Good for you, Kirsty! The body always has the last word, no matter how much we try to pretend otherwise. Sounds like you are tackling a really foundational element of your art and life. It may look like a detour on the outside, but may actually be the true (only?) path forward. Please let me know if there's any way I can support you in this.
Cheering for you!
Kirsty Hall
Thank you Cindy, I think you're so right that what can look like a detour can really be the more direct route in the long run.
Kirsty Hall
Thank you Cindy, I think you're so right that what can look like a detour can really be the more direct route in the long run.
Cindy Morefield
Good for you, Kirsty! The body always has the last word, no matter how much we try to pretend otherwise. Sounds like you are tackling a really foundational element of your art and life. It may look like a detour on the outside, but may actually be the true (only?) path forward. Please let me know if there's any way I can support you in this.
Cheering for you!
Cindy Morefield
Good for you, Kirsty! The body always has the last word, no matter how much we try to pretend otherwise. Sounds like you are tackling a really foundational element of your art and life. It may look like a detour on the outside, but may actually be the true (only?) path forward. Please let me know if there's any way I can support you in this.
Cheering for you!
Kirsty
Post authorThank you Cindy, I think you're so right that what can look like a detour can really be the more direct route in the long run.
Lorna
We are all cheering for you on the blogging side lines!
Kirsty Hall
Thank you Lorna, I appreciate the support.
Kirsty Hall
Thank you Lorna, I appreciate the support.
Lorna
We are all cheering for you on the blogging side lines!
Lorna
We are all cheering for you on the blogging side lines!
Kirsty
Post authorThank you Lorna, I appreciate the support.
@MurphyGraceHome
I have had major health struggles in the past 14 months and have had to make some really tough choices so I can relate a bit. There are times that my brain has been dying to create, but my body says not gonna happen. I wish us the best of health and that soon, they will have an answer for CFS and banish cancer.
@MurphyGraceHome
I have had major health struggles in the past 14 months and have had to make some really tough choices so I can relate a bit. There are times that my brain has been dying to create, but my body says not gonna happen. I wish us the best of health and that soon, they will have an answer for CFS and banish cancer.
Kirsty Hall
It is hard isn't it, @MurphyGraceHome - I think that creative people are usually very driven and we often have a tendency to override our body in favour of our passions. I am constantly having to remind myself to practice self-care.
Kirsty Hall
It is hard isn't it, @MurphyGraceHome - I think that creative people are usually very driven and we often have a tendency to override our body in favour of our passions. I am constantly having to remind myself to practice self-care.
@MurphyGraceHome
I have had major health struggles in the past 14 months and have had to make some really tough choices so I can relate a bit. There are times that my brain has been dying to create, but my body says not gonna happen. I wish us the best of health and that soon, they will have an answer for CFS and banish cancer.
Kirsty
Post authorIt is hard isn't it, @MurphyGraceHome - I think that creative people are usually very driven and we often have a tendency to override our body in favour of our passions. I am constantly having to remind myself to practice self-care.