For myself, I spend all week long working on and off from 8am until 10pm, working family responsibilities into my work schedule. When you own your own business, you are responsible for the production, bookkeeping, managing, mailing, promoting and marketing...all of which can take time (especially the marketing!) However, you will find you can achieve more in your business if you schedule regular mental health days. That's the beauty of running your own business...you dictate what days you have off :]
Now, I am not saying to work for one day and fluff off for the next three. I prefer to work 5 days and then give myself a day off where I do absolutely no work at all. Trust me, it is hard, but it is essential to keep your creativity, brain and stamina sharp.
Sunday is my mental health day. I observe Sunday for religious reasons. I refuse to do anything related to work on this day. So, seeing as though I am one of those people who cannot sit still for anything, what is one to do on that day off? Well, if you can't just veg-out and catch up on movies, why don't you try something selfish? Make something for yourself. Yes, yourself. You spend all week long creating wonderful things for your customers, don't forget about you!!!
In January, I decided to make a laptop bag for myself to keep all my work essentials in one spot - accounting book, cd's, daytimer, scratch pad, pattern book of self-designed patterns, pencils, sharpie marker, camera upload cord, all the things you need to keep business running smoothly. But seeing as though my fingers and hands must always be on the go, just simply making a laptop bag wasn't enough for me. I thought of making a quilted panel, but decided against it as after the hand quilting is done, the thrill will be over. So I decided to create a crazy quilt panel with hand embroidery. Below is the panel (13" x 9") that will be framed by a strip-quilted frame and will serve as the front of my laptop bag. The bag will zip all the way open with pockets on the inside as well as the back. I have only been working on this on Sundays (except this past weekend, I got selfish and worked exclusively on it Saturday and Sunday). The seam embroidery is just about completed and I am adding an embroidered pansy to the center panel. Next, I will be adding a spiderweb, probably a water lilly scene, my initials in victorian lettering, some random scattered embroidery and silk ribbon embroidery, then the final touches of beads and antique buttons. I am anxious for the panel to be completed so I can put this bag together and stop having to hunt for my supplies!
Lower right hand corner of panel...
Upper right hand corner of panel showing the section where the pansy is being embroidered.
Lower left hand of panel showing pansy again...
Upper left hand of panel....
After taking one day a week to do something for me, I feel so refreshed and energized for Monday morning, which I believe, increases my productivity! So...after working so hard making things for others all week long, be sure to take some time out to make something for yourself. Aren't you worth it?
