midYear thoughts & decision making on creativity

Usually, spring is my go-to time of the year. It is when things get going - the train is on the rails-, and workdays no longer feel like a test for resilience and adaptability. And while it is still very busy, with summer festivals, shows and collaborations being at their peak of planning, there are usually no big surprises of how the rest of the year will unfold. 

This year feels different for many of us, wouldn’t you think?

Logistics, difficult conversations, changes of heart, and the professional guilt that comes with them can be overwhelming. Juggling the fear of disappointing others with the risk of burning out can feel like a constant burden of “what ifs.”

Working independently can be really lonely, this struggle is no news to any of you, I am sure. But working with / or for / others comes with its own set of challenges. Even small teams have their hierarchies, politics, diplomacy, and endurance-testing moments. At the same time, these internal struggles shouldn't come at the expense of the project or its timelines. The struggle is real!

How many struggles can fit into a paragraph, you may wonder. Well, today it feels like three is just the right amount to reflect the eternity it feels when you end up putting aside the vision because of logistics, pausing the implementation of a project due to lack of funding, or working on Sundays week after week, because that’s the only day you can actually focus on your own projects, while the rest of the week is “day job -time”. Ouf.

I will be honest, I’ve been there; in this limbo, in a terrain where money, reality, unexpected tasks bring stress, lack of time, lack of clarity. This is a tough place to be at. And that is why this article is so important, as it is easy to feel torn between yours and someone else’s vision, reality, method of work, and values.

It isn't until we remind ourselves to accept the reality and embrace the challenge of navigating two worlds at once that we can feel that a huge weight is lifted off our shoulders -and minds. Only then it starts to become clear that the decision to come and go between seemingly contradicting professional identities actually makes sense. 

How?

Reality check: Understanding the value of a "real" job as a stepping stone to success in your own business means recognizing it as a necessary foundation of support. And to take the reality check one step further, let it serve as a reminder that having this day job was a decision you made, one that was within your control. Accept that this is the situation  - at the moment. The relief that comes from reality checks can be unexpectedly welcome, especially in times when the struggle is at its peak. Once that’s done, you can start planning your creative ideas around other commitments more effectively. You/I/We’ve got this.

Prioritising: Which idea can move into the implementation phase more easily, given the current timeframes and going tasks? Most of us tend to focus on the big ideas, the ones that keep us going, but what if this moment calls for a surprising detour?

Remember: An idea has its own pace. With this in mind, you can make art business decisions that protect one idea by keeping it temporarily at bay, and instead focus on something more doable; a concept that might actually be a better fit for the current landscape based on human and financial resources.

The Surprising Melting Pot

Ideas only feel time-consuming when working alone. There’s a certain kind of magic in collaborating with others who genuinely support your vision, people who bring fresh eyes when yours have grown tired amid the routines and endless to-do lists. I remember a colleague’s magic reaction when I mentioned there wasn’t time to include an element I’d forgotten in the idea we were working on.

She said: “But this is refreshing, and adds value. Let’s include it. Don’t worry, I’ll take the lead”. Oh what a surprising relief that was.  She saw the idea with clarity and enthusiasm, while I, at that point, saw it as just another task.

Soon enough, even a small team can change everything. To-do lists are shared, progress is made, and despite the messiness and demanding days coming and going, the spark finds its way in. For me, juggling both worlds becomes a surprising melting pot, where things start to feel possible -even effortless- with teamwork and shared vision.

Practical Tips 

• Identify your Non Negotiables. Is it that you keep Sundays free? Or that early mornings—before everyone else wakes up—are your time to breathe and practice self-care? Protect that time. Don’t use it to catch up on work or tasks. It’s valuable, and it’s yours.

• Find your peers. Community and shared coworking  makes everything more effective, and more fun.

• Respect the Structure of the Day Job. The hours you dedicate to your day job are usually fixed, and that’s actually very helpful. Once you’ve clocked out, take a short break, or a longer one, whatever you need in order to refocus. You’ll need that quick breather to transfer your energy from tasks to your own creativity. Be aware of your energy levels, and don’t be afraid to adjust your schedule to protect your creative focus.

• Take Time Off. Leave your phone behind Intentionally. Rest is part of the process.

• You don’t have to do it all on your own. Communicate with your colleagues; let them know your schedule, ask for their input on timelines, and invite them to help keep you accountable. Be open to handing off tasks that others may be better positioned to take on. Clear communication and thoughtful time management make all the difference.

• Manage your expectations and your to do's. Your art business, your next big idea, or your creative goals might take longer to develop, and that’s okay. This is exactly why regular reality checks matter. Didn’t manage to submit that funding application this round? There will be a next time. Trust the process—bumpy, uphill, serendipitous, messy, beautiful and everything in between.

So, to all art entrepreneurs out there juggling artistic ideas and day jobs: be kind to yourselves. Reality checks are key, as is identifying available resources and support. We are creatives, and there are usually other creatives out there who want to support our ideas, who see their value, and who can help us make them happen -let them in. 

Also, day jobs exist for a reason: they allow our creativity to take shape, to be funded, to progress. They offer a routine that helps maintain flow in our schedules and timelines. They even advance our network and skills. 

As we approach summer, I feel the surprising impact of the melting pot at my core: things happened this year because I embraced the chaos, took a leap of faith, and allowed myself to have a change of heart about collaborations that didn’t feel right - because they weren't.

These are things I would not have been able to do without maintaining a day job that is far away from my creative role. This summer, my goal is to remember the value of both hard work and creative time: that some decisions, although not taken lightly, are essential parts of who we are as people and as professionals, how we form our ideas, and how we take the next step.

What are your thoughts as spring is nearly gone?

Whatever you do, good luck, and remember: juggling art and the real world is never easy, but you’re doing great: you/I/we ‘ve got this.

Warmly,

Constantina

One last thought:

This is the first article I've written in a while, and I felt it was the right time to share and open up the conversation, along with my own thoughts, during a period when important decisions need to be made and empowerment needs to be rediscovered. Reality checks are incredibly powerful, as is identifying the silver lining that often gets overlooked.