I feel as if I have hit the wall – I am totally gardened out and if I never have to plant another bulb, divide another perennial, or move another shrub – then that would be too soon for me!
I am so glad that the gardening season is coming to an end and I will be stopping in a couple of weeks. If small children count the days until a welcome event in “sleeps”. I am counting down the days in “Tulip bulbs still left to plant” only about 200 for various customers.
While I adore being a “jobbing gardener” the Autumn is the busiest time of year and this year more-so as we have had such a glorious late September and October.
Just now I feel that my life balance has gone slightly out of kilter – as I realize that I have not been into the studio since May. A whole chunk of who I am and what I do has gone missing. I realized that things had definitely gone a bit skew as I have not posted a Wordless Wednesday post for a couple of weeks now and from taking dozens of pictures every day, my camera has hardly been out of its case. I have temporarily lost the joy of seeing something new through the lens.
I think that this was all brought home to me this week as we had rain every day. Instead of ducking and diving through the showers, or ranting at the weather, I ironed, hankered to make curtains, read recipes and started looking at paint charts in the hope that the builders, who have now been kicking around for a year – might leave before Christmas.
I have been wondering about next year and how I will organize my working life. This year has felt as if I am a gardener or an artists – the two are not mutually exclusive. I am an artist and I am a gardener, but somehow each aspect will take as much time as I can devote to it and at the moment the gardening is winning hands down.
I am toying with the idea of only working for other people three weeks out of every four next year, with the fourth week spent at home in the studio and my own garden. Stitching and growing plants to sell – but I shall see, I will probably feel very differently by the Spring.
I also have to think seriously about the art side of things. I am disinclined to hawk my stuff around the craft fairs and I am hopeless at approaching galleries. However to stop working in other gardens for one week out of every four would affect my income and could I justify it?
But then; that is what Winter is for. To think deep thoughts and make great plans and when Spring arrives to go out to the garden with a hop, skip and a jump. The great plan is left in draft form on the computer for another year.
One piece of advice that I would pass along though – especially if you are still young …. Do wear knee pads or use a kneeler in the garden – even when the earth may feel dry. Trust me, your knees will thank you for it when you are past your half century.
I understand how you feel… completely. The weather here was just terrible for a long time. Cold and Rainy all Fall. Now that November is here, suddenly we’re enjoying sunny warm (70’s) weather! And I can finally get out to finish my gardening. Prior to this, I’d about “had it!” Whew! I will come back and read your post more thoroughly. Please take care… Make a cup of tea and savor it!
Shady Gardener´s last blog ..Does Hard Work Outdoors Make You Happy, Too?
When runners have that hitting the wall feeling, they usually just keep going and get what’s called the second wind.
Wishing you a second wind and a happy winter discovering what spring should bring.
Town Mouse´s last blog ..Art in the Garden
Every so often I feel as if my life has got out of balance and parts of it have been neglected. But if ever I try to cut things out, or down . . . it lasts for a while, then they creep back because they are part of me. The worse course I ever take is to stop doing something and put something in its place. Before long I find I’m now doing two things instead of one and I’m even busier than before. Hopeless! If one is already living a fundamentally happy life one reverts to form after a break. The break generally allows me to rush back to what I was already doing with enthusiasm so I suppose it’s worth it! (A breather before Christmas may be an idea!)
Lucy
Lucy Corrander´s last blog ..CHAINED OAR
Oh, and Karen, that’s a beautiful droopy rose . . . but I bet you have a cheerful picture in hand too.
Best wishes.
Cheer up.
All strength to your elbow.
Lucy
Lucy Corrander´s last blog ..CHAINED OAR
Hugs, sweetie. We’ve all been there. Take the time off and clear your head and heart. Whatever is meant to wait for you will still be there when you’re ready to come back to it.
Susan Tomlinson´s last blog ..Butterflies, et cetera, in Galveston
Don’t fret …We’ve had the same weather in the Pacific Northwest(US) Now it’s endless rain for the nest-WHAT- 5 months. oh Well!…..
Right, I’m off to purchase kneeling pads IMMEDIATELY! However, I have serious migivings on their aesthetic appeal. For some reason, I always feel they needs pairing with leg warmers, and perhaps some sparkly roller skates. Actally, come to think of it, that’s not a bad idea…
Dawn/LittleGreenFingers´s last blog ..PR baiting, three-day-headaches and gardening as therapy
Oh I understand. Since I am a Horticulturist by trade – my life is all about gardening. I did get quite burned out and took a year off. When the year was finished, I was anxious to get back to what I love and started my blog.
I hope you find what works for you so that you can continue to enjoy gardening.
Noelle (azplantlady)´s last blog ..Skeletons in the Desert
Well this is all coming up just at a cross-quarter day, so it seems you are very much in tune with the natural calendar. Propitious time for hibernating and reflecting?
Daffodil Planter´s last blog ..Do my incense-cedars work for Goldman Sachs?
Thanks Dawn for proclaiming your youth!! Fortunately I didn’t get into gardening until about 10 years ago, so although I am 50 very soon, my knees are still relatively healthy.
Right then Karen, when is our next day out? I feel that tea and cakes (made by someone else) are called for. Take care.
I think we can all empathise a little with this post. A break from gardening is good and helps to recharge our batteries. It also gives the garden a rest from us too.
Some years ago I reduced my working hours so I could have one day a week off to garden more. My colleagues thought I was mad choosing a Wednesday, they thought I should have a long weekend by taking Monday or Friday. There was method in my madness. If it was wet at the weekend the chances are it would be fine on Wednesday or vice versa.
We all work out patterns that suit ourselves but it is important to do so when the time is right and not to procrastinate because we never know what is round the corner.
My part time hours were reduced further, to accomodate my deteriorating health until I could work no more and hadn’t gardened for some time. Now all behind me I have had the most wonderful time gardening again this year. I still can’t kneel and infact haven’t been able to kneel for over 4 years but my knees are improving, so who knows by next year I might again be able to kneel down and get my hands well into that soil.
Joanne´s last blog ..THANKS TO BLOGGING FRIENDS
Too much, even of something you love, does overwhelm you eventually. I am sure you could make quite a bit out of selling plants as well as gardening and, having seen your art, I hope you will be able to find time for it.
Mmm, if you have more time over the winter maybe you could come and say hello? Ideal really, my garden looks rubbish in winter but I could pretend it is beautiful in summer couldn’t I?
elizabethm´s last blog ..A little list
Hope that the change in season will give you the opportunity to have a breather Karen and to get reacquainted with the other love in your life (apart from Shedman) Sometimes it is difficult to get the balance right but winter will give you some precious thinking time. The advice about using kneelers is most sage
Anna´s last blog ..The Grouch
Oh rain, gah, hasn’t it been a wet year? Even Polly Anna and Rebecca of Sunnybrook farm would have been drooping and depressed by now. I hope the next bright, frosty day you find something joyful for your lens.
Midgefarmer Yan
Your post & photo could have been mine today, Karen. Limping out of the garden after 4 hours, I looked/felt like your ‘last rose of summer’.
joey´s last blog ..INDIAN SUMMER ‘MISTY WATERCOLOR MEMORIES’ (MONDAY MUSING) ~ BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
Love the faded rose…(Now I am singing ‘Delta Dawn…what’s that flower you have on…’!)It’s really an exquisite photo. This is the first autumn in a long while that i have been looking forward to not gardening! When the last of the leaves are mulched I will stop for a break. Sounds good! Give yourself a break! gail
Gail´s last blog ..Mish Mashing Away
I don’t garden for a living, but I’m feeling much the same way. Even though I love it, I am ready for a break from the garden. I’m looking forward to the snow and cold so I can get back to my arts and crafts. I’ve been trying to advance my self-taught education in printmaking but whenever the weather is nice, I feel that I need to be outside digging in the dirt.
Jill-O´s last blog ..Sudden Leaf-storm
Hi Karen,thanks for the knee pad tip- you are so right,I have just come in from a session with the creeping (!!)buttercups and my knees are cold and stiff,because I wasnt wearing them.
Your garden will inform your art- the colours and the shapes will inspire you when you are frost -bound in the studio.
It sounds like you need a much deserved rest. Bulb planting is the hardest chore, having to be down for such long periods of time takes its toll on us. I can’t imagine having to do it for more than my own garden. Your studio will be so glad to see you. I do believe the seasons changing offers us a chance to do other things, moving to more indoor pursuits and feathering our nests. The knee pad is well used here, now if there was just something for the hips!
Frances
Frances´s last blog ..Photographing The Blue Chairs
Hold on there, Karen!
Tatyana´s last blog ..Vegetable Garden: Post-Seasonal Notes
Dear Karen – you know I totally get where you’re coming from – feel pretty exhausted myself and having been to the Osteopath for a treatment today would be more than glad to work on our own garden alone for the rest of the year!! Having all this rain has come as a bit of shock here after such a glorious October – we did need it but everwhere is SO soggy now
doesn’t make bulb planting the pleasure it normally is and as you say it’s been a busier autumn than normal – I think one reason is that everthing is quite late this year – roses still in flower and may trees still with leaves on means that pruning has come later! Take heart and take some time for yourself too – it’s really important – deep down though I love the thought of spring and all those little green shoots poking through the ground with the promise of all the lovely things to come.
Trying to balance a home life and work isn’t easy with gardening as in many ways a lot of it is SO weather dependant – I’ve tried this year to be working 3-4 days in every week and thus giving me a day here at least – not always worked but it does help with the morale so your own garden doesn’t lag behind all the other ones… this balance also goes totally skew when friends and family come and visit in the summer… we can only do our best – take care and enjoy your baking and curtain making whilst the rain keeps you indoors! Miranda x
Miranda Bell´s last blog ..Wonderful autumn days…
I’m relieved that my garden has gone to sleep, too. I never thought I’d say that, but after just 3 gardening seasons in this house, I’m there. So I’m glad that I don’t live in mild California, where you never get a break from the garden!
Best wishes for you to use your winter pondering time well and come up with a good plan for your work next year.
VW´s last blog ..Better Blog Photos Part 2: Picasa 3.5 vs. Photoshop 7
A bad time of year at the moment. It is a bit of an effort to keep up the blogging. It’s a good time to take stock and plan but I find that I’m at a low mentally so I’m never sure if my thoughts are true – so to speak! It is time for a rest garden wise, something you much really appreciate. I look forward to a picture of you hop, skipping and jumping next year
easygardener´s last blog ..Blooming Friday: November, week 1 – in three pictures
Karen,
My first visit here. I’m over 50 and the kneeling does not bother me. To honest that kneeling pad would have been great two weeks ago when I knelled onto several Black Walnuts ruined a new pair of jeans the knees are totally stained now.
Yes I know all about what you posted about. I quit my day job in 2004 and have never looked back the job was consuming all my free time and even my dreams. Stand back and look at what you can afford to do to get back to the artist in you!
Randy´s last blog ..Planting for spring
I wish I had worn knee pads!!
I find this thread throughout the blogging community this time of year. I have found with everything in life going on recently, it has been difficult to blog. I say take a break when you need it. Come back when it makes sense.
compostinmyshoe´s last blog ..The Lady on Indian St.
I had to smile when thinking about life out of balance. The same thing happens to writers too. It is a “chicken or feathers” kind of business. I am either crazy busy, or nothing. Winter is indeed a time for grand plans, and I understand why you’re ready for some “sleeps.” Hang in there. Oh, and have you thought about a store online? You might check into it with others who’ve made a success with Etsy. Just a thought.~~Dee
Dee/reddirtramblings´s last blog ..Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, colorful November
I get this every couple of years too, including this one. I suppose what we need is a good dose of spiritual compost to renew our roots!
What about etsy and crafty, the online places for selling art and craft for your artistic endeavours? I too would loathe to schlep stuff around various events, but I know friends who are doing pretty well on their ‘virtual’ shopfronts.
blueworld gardener´s last blog ..No flowers, no fruit, November
I’ve found your lovely blog via Anna at Green Tapestry.
I really empathize with what you say about balance, and trying to fit all the different things in and juggling work of various kinds! Since the beginning of November, I’ve been spending some time reflecting and planning, which has been a tremendously refreshing time.
Phoenix C.´s last blog ..November Light
I think I hit a wall called Lyme disease and am seeing now how it threw me for a loop. am much better, but it hit me in many ways, not just physically. your site is as beautiful as I remember and I am glad you still post.
wayne´s last blog ..Gratitude for time off and for…