The Artists Way - week 4. Reading Embargo

I am in week 4 of the Artists Way -  doing it with a group of people at No 45 in Brighton.  I have been really inspired by this book and done bits of it before, and indeed got into the habit of writing the artists pages every morning......but I have never done it all the way through and I certainly did not keep up with the Artists Date side of things.

So now I am in company  - I even have a buddy to keep me on track.  And this week.  NO READING.  For me, this included the general browsing on facebook I do rather too much and in a rather addicted like fashion.  I do use facebook for work, but I also use it for an equivalent of mindless TV viewing.  And as it is reading, not talking.  I am giving it up for a week.

This is actually kind of a relief.  I had been wanting to have a break for a while.  But had not been able to resist it, which had begun to make me feel angry and annoyed with myself. So it is a welcome challenge.

So what is going to happen instead. Evidently blog posts!! ha ha! I won't be reading any blogs, but I can write them!

I had a new client for my business today.  The lovely photographer Sophie Sheinwald.  So far so good.  Just got a text from her sayind, "God, this is brilliant!!!"  I am taking that as a good sign.

With my associate work, I am going into a phase of intense activity - and also learning.  I am considering whether to take on some professional training, and in the mean time I will be doing some shadowing - to expand my range upward to more senior and executive levels.  Very exciting - and also a bit scary.

One of the things I have noticed from doing the Arists Way is a tendency to not put myself "out there" I had an intention  - a while back - to "get into the arena" and I did.  And I think its time to up my game again.  A bigger Arena.  Where more confidence and leadership skills are required.  Where i need to have more authority and be stronger.  So - stretch time again.  Which is a little uncomfortable but also necessary.  I'm feeling good about it.  Even though it is a little scary.  A little scary is good and exciting I think.

I have also been doing a lot of gratitude work.  As in writing 2 pages of gratitudes every day.  Also really good.  Especially after the pages.... (if you don't know what they are  - have a look here - will put a link in)

What else.  Regarding the tracking.  and the caffeine etc.  Today I have been a bit rubbish.  lots of tea and a coffee.  Yesterday I didn't even have a coffee.  Well I dscovered that Silo do an awesome decaff with almond milk latte.  It was delicious.  So am thinking I may get some proper lovely decaff coffee  - and one day I will make my own nut milk (I know Silo do, bless em) too.  In the mean time I have discovered a delicious creamy dreamy way to make a decaff diary free coffee taste bloody amazing.

Alcohol.  hum.  had a glass of wine yesterday.  only a little one....but still.  am working my way up to a week's detox before the retreat (with Erin Faith Allen in Glastonbury)

All is good.