No More Multitasker November
November Multitasker No More
November is my favorite month of the year, because it is my birthday month. I’ve always been connected to November because of the excitement of a day all about me lurking in the wings for my and others’ celebratory habits. For those of us in the northern hemisphere November also marks chillier temps, the true transition of seasons nestling between the autumn leaves and snowflakes falling. I like the ritual of getting out my heavier coats, my snow boots, my hat, my gloves. For the Minnesotans, and others of the northern latitudes, I like how it forces us to slow down whether we like it or not. Snow and ice actually throw us off roads or sidewalks when we do not heed slick sheen warnings. There is a quiet and hush that comes with this time that marks a beginning of cycle when we are not yet worn out with battling the cold. It is a cold I’ve always been able to handle.
This year as November came and went I practiced my usual rituals for my birthday which include begging Vaimo to take a day off of work so she can play with me, treating myself to some special pastry or sugary pleasure, and journaling or reflecting on how I want to spend the following year. Instead of banking all of my hopes and dreams and goal setting at the end of the calendar year, I use November 16th as my new year’s day. Because I have a difficult time slowing down and celebrating accomplishments without simply checking it off my list and moving onto the next one, using my birthday as a day off usually gives me at least a day to revel in me just being me. I also gain the added bonus of a six-week head start as opposed to others who engage this practice for setting goals for the coming year on December 31st. Which you know, as an achiever, I’m super into.
The other benefit of this practice is the overlap I get in transitioning from one year to the next. Though I’m sure I could think of some benefits if my birthday were instead in say February, or March, or May, my six-weeks between my birthday and the new calendar year provide me with time and space to wind down the 2022 goals as I begin take off for 2023. As an anxious flyer, this long runway is super helpful for me. I’m slip-sliding my way out of this year and also growing my new wings for next year’s take-off. Given this is my end of year celebration coming to a close as we shift into December, allow me the head start on some reflections as I shift into the energy of the new year. Not rushing, but simply trying to observe in real time with you here by my side.
Last year, following the trends of many around me, I decided I would choose a word/theme to help guide me through the months of 2022. This was a new-to-me practice and I sat with the assignment for quite some time before honing in on a word that I felt helped highlight the energy I wanted to experience for the year. As I meditated on it, one of the troubling things I realized was the absolutely terrifyingly fast pace of life that I just couldn’t seem to understand how one minute it was January and then in the blink of an eye we were in December again. In an effort to counter this pace of months slipping into one very fast day, the word I chose and subsequently wrote into my 2022 Passion Planner was “Presence.” That page also became home for my tracking of successes and setbacks, as well as other notes to myself on how I would go about reminding myself to think about this word and way of being each month of 2022. Looking over that page now I am reminded of a list I made after reading a book about Hygge the Danish life concept of being cozy and enjoying feelings related to comfort especially important during winter and cold seasons. Other mantras for myself litter the page and quotes from Ekhart Tolle decorate my bolded word. For me, “presence” really was about trying to aim for being present at all times and living for the present moment, instead of the past or for the future. And I’m happy to report that focus on presence has paid off for me. I have shook my multitasking habits for the most part, recognizing that to multitask means to never be fully present at an of the things I’m juggling even as I like to tell myself the lie that I’m very skilled at multitasking. I have also found this really wonderful peace (though that might be my SNRI talking) when doing a single, solitary task. Like when I find myself eating a meal by myself in the breakfast nook I no longer immediately reach for my phone or other reading material. Instead, I am present with my nourishment, enjoying each bite, and reflect on where these food items came from and the journey they had to make their way to my table. Presence has brought with it a sidekick— gratitude, and a friend— peace. It’s been so lovely spending time with this word in my life and thinking about how it can show up in a daily practice.
Presence, and this practice of honing in on a theme for the year, has also taught me some valuable lessons on how I want to spend my time. While I still struggle with my workaholism, I’m trying to lean into working as much as I want as long as that is really what I want to be doing. I recognize this is not everyone’s path or that everyone doesn’t have this ability. And that I have much privilege in being able to truly direct my time based on the gift of my number one patron who puts a roof over our heads, and the money in the account for us to get the food on the table. So given my rather privileged and unique situation, I am grateful that I have been gifted the most valuable resource for an artist, by which I mean time. Time to be with myself, time to work myself to the bone if I want, time to sit with the feelings that arise when I’m not working, basically the gift of recognizing what presence might mean as a guiding north star. And this is a great way for me to wrap up 2022, the first full year of the decade of my 40s. I am grateful to be launching from this calm and purposeful place into year 41.
Knowing I was getting to the place where I would be able to choose a new theme for the upcoming year, I allowed my brain to begin wandering for something that could really capture how I wanted to move into my next year. What will emerge from this year of calm contemplation? Of my ability to slip into meditation quicker that I have ever known? Of the joys I found in myself changing a tire on a chilly, sleeting November day? What could possibly come near to this state that I’ve cultivated over this calendar year to push me into wanting to try something new? I’ve found when I stay open to the possibility that what I need will find me when it’s time. The other day I laughed so hard at a meme while on a designated social media scroll. And I said, “that’s it.” I know what it is that I want 2023 to mean for me - I wish to be delighted at least once a day. And by golly… I know I will just have to figure out a way to do it. We all deserve to be delighted or whatever theme you want to choose for yourself for this upcoming year. Whatever you may or may not land on, I hope it brings you as much joy as that hearty laugh from that meme that popped up on my screen, surprised me, delighted me, and inspired me.
What I’m Playing
In an effort to incorporate more play into my life as a recovering workaholic who recently suffered a relapse this summer, I bought a Nintendo Switch in early September. It’s currently serving double duty as a space for me to retreat from this reality (ha) and a way for me to continue to heal my inner child who always wanted (but never had) a Gameboy. This month for my birthday I gifted myself Thunder Lotus’ Spirtfarer, which was the perfect pick for scorpio season because it’s about ferrying people into the afterworld. I have been enthralled with the game for over fifty hours of my life, and have learned that I really enjoy what the kids call “platformers” which is apparently this category of game that involves levels and moving through challenges with an overarching narrative arch. I’m also into the graphic novel qualities that unfold in an interactive way through my handheld gaming platform. The only drawback is that I need to use my poor aching and tired hands that I use all day painting or typing on my computer to navigate through the game, but gratefully this game is not too involved (aka I haven’t strained my thumbs). If you like a touch of fantasy, thinking about death, and building things, this game may be for you!
Artist Offerings
- Relatable content in this interview with Yayoi Kusama
- I'm really into learning about new-to-me quilt artists which brought me to trying to find images of the work of Sylvia Hernadez's quilts on weird websites like this one
- So many profiles of Octavia Butler out and about, and I enjoyed this one from Vulture this week
Creative Ritual
I can’t believe my show run is coming to a close at Cottey College next week! I’ll be back in KS/MO for the week doing an artist talk on campus on Tuesday December 6th from 3-4:30pm in Nevada, MO. Please join me! I’m also excited to visit a painting class and join students on their final critique for the semester. You know how I love looking at paintings! As I mentioned last time, I was the featured artist in the Optimist’s newsletter that went out in early November, here’s a link to the archived piece for your viewing pleasure if you haven’t seen it yet. With the U.S. holiday last week and hosting my Hermanita for a week-long vacation I spent a lot of my creative energies on how to smoke a turkey and other such fantastic recipe opportunities. I prepped a lot of small canvases for some new small paintings that will hit my shop in the new year. And I finally got back into this oil painting commission I’ve been working on for ages - finally feeling inspired after a dry spell/refresh post-show push. Who knows what else is to come in the last weeks of the year, as always, I’ll let you know as it emerges.
Questions to ponder
How have you sought presence in your life lately?
What word or theme might guide your 2023?
How do you celebrate your birth day and why?
What needs celebrating and what needs sunsetting?
Thanks for journeying with me. I hope, as always, that you take what you need and leave the rest for someone else, or for another time.
-KCF
PS: Did you see that Passion Planner link above in my essay? I am a brand ambassador and will receive a small commission if you choose to make a purchase through my referral link. If you want to talk planning for the next year I am a big fan of PP because of the built in tools for goal setting. And of course, the ten blank and ten grid pages in the back that give you some bullet notebook ability along with monthly and weekly planner spreads. Use my code: KANDACEC092 for 10% off your order -- 2023 is knocking on our door!