I know it's been awhile

It feels like I haven't been writing much. I normally follow a pretty strict but simple rule that each post will contain an image and a chunk of text. Not too much to ask, surely? Leaving my job was a huge life choice and the right one, but I have had an emotional and vulnerable couple of months.

An update for new readers:
Having taught nursery and kindergarten all my adult life and completed three stages of qualifications along the way, last year I was promoted to director of studies at the private school in London where I teach. I love teaching, so never wanted an admin role, but this allowed me to keep teaching and have a voice in curriculum and policy decisions. However, a handful of things happened in our community and our families that reminded us emphatically that life is short and precious.

K and I share many of the same values, centred around home, family and the environment, and these had become ever more neglected over the years in the rat race. We opted to live a simpler, more authentic life. So I resigned from both roles. As it turned out, I was offered a few flexible hours a week on curriculum, and some supply teaching work - the perfect balance, especially for the transition year.

Everyday I am grateful that we made this choice, and that we share the values and strengths that make it possible. Any transition is difficult though, and there have been some surprises. It has been hard to let go of measurable success. I keep catching my inner critic at work, expecting myself to be instantly on top of budgeting, household routine, cooking wholesome food, living an artful life. It has taken me by surprise too that people have responded with such jealousy, immediately backed up with reasons why they couldn't do this.

Creative

As promised, an image. I think I have shared this page before, but it seemed fitting, and I love the photo that my dear friend Z took for me.

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The Artist's Way

I don't know when The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron first crossed my radar. Once it did though, it kept crossing. I am a big believer in serendipity and if something keeps crossing my path makes me pay attention. The final straws that made me say "Okay, I'm listening!" were finding it in Port Townsend on my way to Artfest, and then at Artfest, a few people who listened to me explain where I am in my journey said emphatically "You need to read The Artist's Way". It took me a while to get hold of the book because of my suitcase being full (!) and then stockist problems here in the UK. I got the workbook too because I found the workbook for Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards very useful. This one not so much, because I could do it all in my morning page journal. However I will use it and go back to it to complete exercises that I didn't do the first time round.
(note from the ed. you all don't know how LONG this has taken to write, it has been open on the laptop since last night! Man, it's hard working with these flighty artist types.)

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A book of my own

Back when I was in the process of stepping away from my job, I started looking for an art class. I rejected the tempting City & Guilds courses. I am stepping away from one treadmill and I recognised that I was trying to legitimise my decision by stepping onto a treadmill towards a qualification. I may do it one day, but I have to accept my creative pursuits don't need a certificate to make them acceptable.

In the search I discovered this great place that runs an amazing selection of courses, creative and otherwise. It is in two huge old Georgian buildings on a picturesque secluded London square. It's the Mary Ward Centre if you want to take a look. I chose a course called "A Book of Your Own". I couldn't resist the Virginia Woolf reference. I am drawing a lot at the moment and very excited about making books. Perfect.

We had the first class on Tuesday. I hadn't been sure whether each term would be the same course repeated, or whether it would develop across the year. I only signed up for this term. The class was so amazing and there is definite development across the year that I rushed home and signed up for the other two terms. There are only 12 in the class and a huge waiting list. They have a policy that you do not automatically get a place in next term's class, it is first come first serve for all, so I didn't want to risk it.

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