Even God Took a Day to Rest
Musings About My Writing and Workaholism
Sometimes being an artist is a torment. I am sure that most of you can relate to the feelings. I have found that if you are a writer, that chances are that you have other mediums that you work in too.
God and then there is music. If there was one thing that I would have been able to do that I didn't do in this life, it would have been to play piano. I am also a frustrated musician. I love music, and especially piano. I am not too old, but now at my age, time is more precious. I will never be able to play like I would have if I had started as a child. I will concentrate on the addictions to the mediums that I use already. I just wish that I could rest from the need to create all the time.
If I were truly honest with myself I would probably have to admit that I am a workaholic with perfectionist tendencies. I hate it. I hate the drive to constantly prove to myself that I have a right to breathe air on this planet. I hate that I can't value and appreciate each accomplishment that I have made without frantically having to move on to the next project.
This includes anything that I do. It can be cleaning the house, cooking or entertaining. It can be doing something nice for someone else. I discount any achievement that I have accomplished.I know I am also a bit bipolar, but then I believe all artists are. I am not a professional but that is my opinion. Maybe that is why artists are creative.
Even God took a break. That is why He created the 7th day to rest. I believe that is why He told us that we should rest on the Sabbath, not for Him but for us. We need to rest and rejuvenate. I know that. I just can't do it well. I would think that by this time at 60 years of age that I could do this.
I am curious about you other writers. Do you have trouble resting and not feeling the pressure to achieve or write all the time? I am eager for your responses.
Published by Shana Dines
Shana is an award winning artist. Her specialty is pastel portraits and watercolors. She has illustrated a children's book and has written and illustrated one now in publishing. She is a Christian but believ... View profile
My 7-day Lemon-Detox AdventureI decided to do the Lemon-Detox after talking to a friend who had tried it for 14 days. She ended up losing about a pound a day, she claimed. - Mother's Day: When Forgiveness is the Best GiftMothers are not perfect, and many children are scarred for life by mental, emotional or even physical abuse at the hands of their mothers. However, I have learned forgiveness is both a choice and a gift.
Christ's Messages to the Churches, Revelation, Chapter 2, Verses 18-29Eighth of an eleven part series of articles exploring Christ's messages to the churches. The series was written to help readers understand the historical and spiritual significa...
Remember the Sabbath Day: Have We Forgotten?If the Bible tells us to "Remember the Sabbath day", then why is Sunday the day of choice for most? Read what the Bible so clearly tells us about God's holy day. You might be su...- Climbing to the TopDoes faith involve disciple? Does it intertwine with the decisions we make day to day? How does faith and belief of what we cannot see control us?
- a Sublime Monologue, Even If I Say so to Myself
- A Place for My Heart to Rest
- You Can Know God
- How Can You Help to Defeat Satan?
- September 11, 2001: I was Supposed to Be There
- A Writer's Guide to Acting: Relationships Are About Emotions, Not Facts, Part I
- Guide to Malaysia
- artists, writers, opinion, musings, workaholics, perfectionists, questions.
- I believe that all artists are a little bit bipolar.
- I am eager to hear other people's opinions.
27 Comments
Post a CommentWhat a lovely article, Shana! I hope you still practice the piano for fun! Life works in interesting ways :)
The watercolor is beautiful! This is my problem to the core. Lately, I have been forcing myself to go to bed at 10:00 every night, even if I don't write anything. It was starting to affect my day job, and I had to put on the brakes. Believe me, I understand the compulsion to create more and more. My body and mind is already starting to heal since I slowed down. Thanks for sharing!
That is really an interesting article. Thank you so much for sharing.
First thought in the morning. Last thought at night.
Very interesting article. I agree with you, taking a break is necessity...that is what my Sabbath day does for me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. :)
Lucily I can rest when I want to. I am not a driven person. In fact some call me too laid back. But my wife is just the opposite. She could have retired months ago but she is too involved with her work to let it end.
Completely understand! I try to go out, or just hang out with my son, but I always think of a great idea and then need to race to the computer to atleast write down my idea.
I'm not under the pressure, except possibly to earn some money. I like to put out quality articles, but don't feel driven to do so. I am just glad I can write articles and receive some money for them to help pay the bills.
WOW..you hit the nail on the head. I'm like totally feeling you. I also suffer from that undesirable emotion call "biploar." I define is as an "emotion" because it comes and goes, in highs and lows. Sometimes I can control it, sometimes I can't. My mind races a thousand miles per hour, trying to accomplish with great perfections things that I desire to achieve, however, never having enough time or confidence in myself to achieve anything. I escape through the words of my writings, cause no one around me seems to understand, the daily struggle I face within myself...day after day..after day..after day. I fight every day, fighting the inner peace that tries to destroy...self! Oh, how I so totally relate. Thanks for shari ng those deep inner thoughs.
I know exactly what you are saying. It takes me hours to get to sleep most nights. It's like I shut off the lights and tv and then everyone and everything starts running around in my head and keeps me awake as I try to sort through it all. I watch tv or a movie or read a book and am always thinking about different ways I'd write it. And yes, I love to sculpture with clay and mess around with pencil drawings now and then.