Hello Frens! Peekaboo!

Hi frens, you may or may not have noticed I’ve been MIA for about three weeks. I wanted to take a moment to explain where I’ve been, and why I stepped back for a bit.

At the start of the year, I was determined to make the most of it-and I still am. I’ve been pouring myself into several projects, especially my painting, which has really taken off. I’m so grateful for your support; none of this would be possible without you. But here’s where things got tricky. I started feeling like I had to “earn” every moment of rest, and that mindset snowballed. My health took a hit, and then one of my other projects completely derailed.

The stress piled up, and I felt like I was on the verge of burning out.

Don’t get me wrong-I’ve always welcomed change, even when it’s tough. And this time was no exception. The project I’d been working on for months took a 180, and all that effort seemed to go down the drain. I was frustrated, but I kept pushing, even though I was running on fumes. By the time I “earned” a break, I was too exhausted to enjoy it.

I managed to post a piece about Holy Week on my blog (which I’m really proud of-check it out if you haven’t!), but after that, I was done. I realized I needed to stop, not just for a day, but for a real break. When I finally took a few days off with my husband, it was clear how much I needed it. I was burned out, plain and simple. Now, I’m still putting myself back together. Mentally, I feel drained, but I’m stronger than I was a few weeks ago. I know I’m lucky and privileged to be able to take this time, and I’m grateful for the perspective it’s given me. I also r realize that this isn’t just a “me” thing-most people have been here at some point. We keep going until there’s nothing left, then wonder why we feel like empty shells.

I’ll be back to drawing soon (knock on wood-don’t want to jinx it!). In the meantime, take care of yourselves, and godspeed.