Appreciation of the Stillness

It's already the second week of April, and I should be completely stressed out about how fast time is flying by...but I am not. I am enjoying my life right now (haha, probably just running from the task at hand but it's still valid dangit). Let me explain.

While I am still tackling my task of animating the enemies in After Effects, I also fulfilled a long-held ambition of mine: organizing my balcony.

I know this seems not at all related to what I'm doing, but this is something that has been in the back on my mind since we moved into our apartment two years ago. 

Then, last month, I decided to swing down the hammer on that goal. I went to Ikea 7 times in two weeks. I carefully scanned both floors for useful purchases. I labored over the costs of the given solutions they presented (Did I really want to spend 70 dollars on a bench that would sit outside and get dirty???). I had to focus intensely on my goal of organizing just one space, rather than the entire apartment at once (but dang does the TANKVARD limited edition series look so appealing!)

Finally, after much deliberation, I came up with an arrangement.

The amount of joy and fulfillment I feel when I look outside now has been huge. I try to spend my morning routine outside more, carefully enjoying my plants while having tea. I even got a chaise to encourage a moment of relaxation. It has become a new place of appreciation, and I don't regret the time I put into it.

Why am I going on about my balcony? Isn't this an art blog?
Well, while it's not art related, it is still goal related - and that part of me hasn't changed. But now that I am older (and hopefully a bit more wiser), I've learned the hard way what happens when you don't slow down to appreciate the stillness. Burn out is inevitable, and your health suffers (greatly).

I am still all for having goals and burning the midnight oil, but that kind of lifestyle is not sustainable. No one can live that way forever. In the end, something is going to give - and for me, it was my health. I have Acid Reflux Disease, Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, and Hashimoto's Disease. I also had surgery on my neck two years ago, when I had a parathyroid swell to the size of an orange and I nearly died from it. (It was a harrowing experience).

It's unfortunate that it took me to having a near-death experience to really, fully appreciate the stillness in life, but I'm glad I learned.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with myself to go see Howl's Moving Castle in the movie theaters. I'm using it as inspiration fuel for my animation tasks up ahead.