Wow! I love this! Being a innkeeper in a bed-and-breakfast is a lot like being an artist. It often romanticized as this wonderful easy, slow life of hosting people in your house! I’ll never forget overhearing a guest saying to his wife as they were leaving… “Sure must be nice to make 160 bucks for changing bedsheets!” Don’t get me wrong. I love what I do. You describe so well, the tension between hustle and the slow life. Finding the truth that resolves the paradox I think is the key (I’m still working on that 😄). But as an entrepreneur there are certainly going to be seasons, where one must be willing to lite a fire under their butt. Some of those seasons might be long! I’ve found a way to create a more balanced life. I still work 16 hour days at times. but they are more balanced with slower days and personal time then they used to be. Thanks for bringing some practical insight to a challenging topic!
Haha oooooh I would’ve been boiling to hear someone say that type of a comment, I totally understand where you’re coming from!
It’s a bit same with the idea of “overnight success” where people only see the front-end of things and don’t realize what went behind. These guests only saw changing the bedsheets but don’t realise all the additional work that goes into making it a smooth sailing experience for them (and I imagine you don’t have a huge profit split for the 160 bucks anyhow with all other costs around considered).
Ha! For sure! Totally agree with the concept of the overnight success. People rarely see the weeks, months, even years of work it took to get there. Thankfully, most of our guest are very grateful people.❤️.
As most art clients too thankfully 🙏🏼 wish we could all rewire our brains to ignore the negative minority and only embrace the positive supportive majority! Getting better at it through the years at least 💫🥂
Love this Mika thanks for sharing this experience 💞 isn’t it typical to have technological problems during a launch?! Always happens to me too, or that an email sends to the wrong person (I use a tagging system for my main business to avoid sending launches to people who already purchased for example), or some payment issues…. Always haha 😂😂
Since being a mom it’s easy because I never have too long periods to stitch at the time (now it’s more sore due to typing these essays on the phone in bed 😅)
Before the problem was mostly the neck and shoulders due to not so ideal posture.. we used to do quite a bit of sport to counter it as much as possible 🙏🏼 and inverse stretching at night
I like your writing style and definitely and inspiration for aspiring artists like me. I’m still struggling with considering myself an artist. But I am.
Oh do I struggle with this! But I don't want to so I'll instead say, being a writer for me means being open to inspiration and creating the stage for that inspiration to strike - and it also means trying to create an income that can allow me to the freedom to do what I love. Getting the seesaw to perfectly balance takes time, a lot of experiments and the ability to stay focused and positive about the entire situation. I have no idea what I'm trying to say here except I think that maybe I needed to hear this today and begin to lean a little more into the "get sh*t done" mindset and set some real deadlines (and commit to those deadlines!) Thank you for the kick in the butt today. ❤️ Now I feel the need to light a 🔥 underneath it.
"I don’t want to undermine the slow-living movement, but if you want to move towards your goals of independent artistry you’ll have to get the work done eventually and it may not always feel as romantic as you first imagined" - exactly that Erin! I've learned that if I wait around for the Muses to show up, my Substack and notebooks would be as empty as a library during a power outage!
Elin, very silly question so please apologise, but where there ever moments where you got impatient or frustrated by how much is left to stitch? Just looking at the incredible sky in the photo above….😅 I cannot imagine how many hours you were stitching.
Of course, I’d assume the bigger picture and love pushes you through but I’d love to hear more about struggles with your art, if you’re happy to share I’d course.
I think the art about the art is to make it your business only if you’re all in for the ride and be able to keep the joy alive along the ways and not lose the spark when there’s fire under your butt as you said.
Oh it’s not a silly question at all haha in fact I ask myself the same thing in a daily 😆😆 I came to the conclusion (before kids) that maybe I was just very patient person. Well that self-proclaimed identity went a bit out the window lol.
Joke a side, I think this is where the passion needs to be multifaceted in the sense that it’s not just for the sake of embroidery, but I’m passionate about so many other adjacent things and more so about the impact the work can have for others (and myself) than the work itself…. Does that make sense? I’m in love with the process of creating more than anything and so if it’s a long or short project in some way I’d be creating anyway you know.
Although it’s not art, we founded a bookstore in southern Mexico. We did light a fire, but slowly stoked it for 3 years before our launch. So you are so right—having a creative idea and then following through are 2 very different animals. The venture was successful and the long term planning paid off, decades later I might add though it’s now in someone else’s capable hands. Stick to it-ness is important for creatives.
So much of this resonated! I have such a complicated relationship with the word “hustle” because I love the idea of slow living but also I have been self employed for 7 years and know that hustle is absolutely necessary to make it as a business owner too. I’ve had to reinvent myself in business (and a mother) SO many times. It’s not easy and not for the weak. I am in my third trimester of my third pregnancy and have been so sick almost every day that I had to put my business on hold. But the only way you can fail as an entrepreneur is if you give up 🤍🤍🤍
‘And ones you’ve been at it long enough, you’ve had a taste of the sweetness of the apple, there’s simply no turning back and you’ve got no choice but to continue to figure it out (and hardly anyone to cry to because “you chose this”….)’
This is so completely my husband and I!! We’re both artists and small business owners and regularly, like seemingly every other day, hold our heads in our hands wondering when it’ll get easier. Those days between? We wouldn’t trade any of it for all the ease, convenience, predictability, blah blah… it is one delicious f*cking apple. 😆
Yay love to see fellow artist couples not having choices but to keep at it haha 💞 we’re not alone 😍 and sure it’s a joy and fear all at ones but it makes it all so much worth it for each new adventure 🙏🏼
I was just speaking about this to a friend the other day too, but couched as not allowing ourselves a ‘plan b.’ We just have to make it work… the end! And yes, the reward is absolutely, undeniably, that much sweeter.
Hahah right it’s so on point the “not having a plan b…” we’ve got on the outside for all the worrying voices “it’s ok we can just take a job if we want to” but internally we know it’s not an option 😝🥂
Omigosh, we have the same conversation every other week!! And then a big project or payout hits, we settle into stability again (and easy breathing with it) and so begins another cycle. 😂 The struggle tho, equally as important. 🥂🥂
Wow! I love this! Being a innkeeper in a bed-and-breakfast is a lot like being an artist. It often romanticized as this wonderful easy, slow life of hosting people in your house! I’ll never forget overhearing a guest saying to his wife as they were leaving… “Sure must be nice to make 160 bucks for changing bedsheets!” Don’t get me wrong. I love what I do. You describe so well, the tension between hustle and the slow life. Finding the truth that resolves the paradox I think is the key (I’m still working on that 😄). But as an entrepreneur there are certainly going to be seasons, where one must be willing to lite a fire under their butt. Some of those seasons might be long! I’ve found a way to create a more balanced life. I still work 16 hour days at times. but they are more balanced with slower days and personal time then they used to be. Thanks for bringing some practical insight to a challenging topic!
Haha oooooh I would’ve been boiling to hear someone say that type of a comment, I totally understand where you’re coming from!
It’s a bit same with the idea of “overnight success” where people only see the front-end of things and don’t realize what went behind. These guests only saw changing the bedsheets but don’t realise all the additional work that goes into making it a smooth sailing experience for them (and I imagine you don’t have a huge profit split for the 160 bucks anyhow with all other costs around considered).
Ha! For sure! Totally agree with the concept of the overnight success. People rarely see the weeks, months, even years of work it took to get there. Thankfully, most of our guest are very grateful people.❤️.
As most art clients too thankfully 🙏🏼 wish we could all rewire our brains to ignore the negative minority and only embrace the positive supportive majority! Getting better at it through the years at least 💫🥂
😄
I find your writing so inspiring. 🤍
Thank you Courtney it means a lot ❤️
This is amazing & inspiring ❤️
Thanks for always being here, appreciate you 💕
I decided to do free launch to focus on “you” and activities you could do for your mind, body and spirit.
I had a deadline and had tech problems.
I remember crying and wanting to give up. But I pushed through and did some workarounds.
Lots of people signed up and got a lot out of it.
I was able to prove the concept of a launch and lots of women were so grateful of the reminder to prioritise themselves.
P.S. how do you combat against sore wrists and hands with your embroidery?
Love this Mika thanks for sharing this experience 💞 isn’t it typical to have technological problems during a launch?! Always happens to me too, or that an email sends to the wrong person (I use a tagging system for my main business to avoid sending launches to people who already purchased for example), or some payment issues…. Always haha 😂😂
Since being a mom it’s easy because I never have too long periods to stitch at the time (now it’s more sore due to typing these essays on the phone in bed 😅)
Before the problem was mostly the neck and shoulders due to not so ideal posture.. we used to do quite a bit of sport to counter it as much as possible 🙏🏼 and inverse stretching at night
I like your writing style and definitely and inspiration for aspiring artists like me. I’m still struggling with considering myself an artist. But I am.
Thanks Ale! I can totally relate, it took me a few years as well (despite being paid for my art). You’re an artist 🥰
Oh do I struggle with this! But I don't want to so I'll instead say, being a writer for me means being open to inspiration and creating the stage for that inspiration to strike - and it also means trying to create an income that can allow me to the freedom to do what I love. Getting the seesaw to perfectly balance takes time, a lot of experiments and the ability to stay focused and positive about the entire situation. I have no idea what I'm trying to say here except I think that maybe I needed to hear this today and begin to lean a little more into the "get sh*t done" mindset and set some real deadlines (and commit to those deadlines!) Thank you for the kick in the butt today. ❤️ Now I feel the need to light a 🔥 underneath it.
Love the energy!! Only you who can determine at what stage you’re at and I’m supporting it 👏👏💫🥰
"I don’t want to undermine the slow-living movement, but if you want to move towards your goals of independent artistry you’ll have to get the work done eventually and it may not always feel as romantic as you first imagined" - exactly that Erin! I've learned that if I wait around for the Muses to show up, my Substack and notebooks would be as empty as a library during a power outage!
Love this Aleks! Reminds me of that tremendous Chuck Close quote: ‘Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work.’ 🧡🔥
Same here 🫣💞
Elin, very silly question so please apologise, but where there ever moments where you got impatient or frustrated by how much is left to stitch? Just looking at the incredible sky in the photo above….😅 I cannot imagine how many hours you were stitching.
Of course, I’d assume the bigger picture and love pushes you through but I’d love to hear more about struggles with your art, if you’re happy to share I’d course.
I think the art about the art is to make it your business only if you’re all in for the ride and be able to keep the joy alive along the ways and not lose the spark when there’s fire under your butt as you said.
Either way. Beautifully written, as always❤️
Oh it’s not a silly question at all haha in fact I ask myself the same thing in a daily 😆😆 I came to the conclusion (before kids) that maybe I was just very patient person. Well that self-proclaimed identity went a bit out the window lol.
Joke a side, I think this is where the passion needs to be multifaceted in the sense that it’s not just for the sake of embroidery, but I’m passionate about so many other adjacent things and more so about the impact the work can have for others (and myself) than the work itself…. Does that make sense? I’m in love with the process of creating more than anything and so if it’s a long or short project in some way I’d be creating anyway you know.
How is it for you?? 💞
Yesss that makes a lot of sense thank you for sharing 🥰
I suppose the bigger mission behind every stitch or project helps in addition. ✨
Although it’s not art, we founded a bookstore in southern Mexico. We did light a fire, but slowly stoked it for 3 years before our launch. So you are so right—having a creative idea and then following through are 2 very different animals. The venture was successful and the long term planning paid off, decades later I might add though it’s now in someone else’s capable hands. Stick to it-ness is important for creatives.
Oh I love this story and can only imagine what a ride and adventure it must’ve been! Stick to it-ness what a great expression - and so spot on 💫🔥
Thanks Elin!
So much of this resonated! I have such a complicated relationship with the word “hustle” because I love the idea of slow living but also I have been self employed for 7 years and know that hustle is absolutely necessary to make it as a business owner too. I’ve had to reinvent myself in business (and a mother) SO many times. It’s not easy and not for the weak. I am in my third trimester of my third pregnancy and have been so sick almost every day that I had to put my business on hold. But the only way you can fail as an entrepreneur is if you give up 🤍🤍🤍
Ooh all the energy to you mama this last trimester and going into postpartum!
I totally agree, it’s more of a pivot and re-pivoting between balance and hustle to move the needle forward when possible (and pause when needed) ❤️❤️
‘And ones you’ve been at it long enough, you’ve had a taste of the sweetness of the apple, there’s simply no turning back and you’ve got no choice but to continue to figure it out (and hardly anyone to cry to because “you chose this”….)’
This is so completely my husband and I!! We’re both artists and small business owners and regularly, like seemingly every other day, hold our heads in our hands wondering when it’ll get easier. Those days between? We wouldn’t trade any of it for all the ease, convenience, predictability, blah blah… it is one delicious f*cking apple. 😆
Yay love to see fellow artist couples not having choices but to keep at it haha 💞 we’re not alone 😍 and sure it’s a joy and fear all at ones but it makes it all so much worth it for each new adventure 🙏🏼
I was just speaking about this to a friend the other day too, but couched as not allowing ourselves a ‘plan b.’ We just have to make it work… the end! And yes, the reward is absolutely, undeniably, that much sweeter.
Hahah right it’s so on point the “not having a plan b…” we’ve got on the outside for all the worrying voices “it’s ok we can just take a job if we want to” but internally we know it’s not an option 😝🥂
Omigosh, we have the same conversation every other week!! And then a big project or payout hits, we settle into stability again (and easy breathing with it) and so begins another cycle. 😂 The struggle tho, equally as important. 🥂🥂
Beautiful share. Looking forward to reading your book!
Yay thanks Christoph! I’m definitely setting myself up for some butterfly editing with this pre-sale 😅
Thank you for this. Very thoughtful and helpful. Love the embroidery. ❤️
Thanks so much 🥰