Roller Derby or Art?
In my late 20’s, I fell in love with roller derby. I watched that movie Whip It and felt compelled to give it a go. I already loved skating, I craved the comradery, and I wanted to feel THAT BADASS!
It started off slow. I found a friend who was also interested and we took skating lessons. However, before I knew it, I was all in. I tried out and made an official roller derby team, I was practicing 4 nights a week, fundraising, organizing our events and travel, and thinking about it non-stop.
Then life threw me a curve-ball, as it is good at doing. I got injured right before a big traveling bout and it made me take a big ol’ pause. In that slower space I had the sudden heart-breaking realization that I wasn’t even making art anymore. I was working, doing derby, and trying to catch some sleep.
As much as I loved derby, I knew I wasn’t being me if I wasn’t creating art. This clarity helped me make the hard decision to quit the team. I moved skating back down into its proper hobby/workout place and art back up to its rightful prioritized place. Although I missed derby for many reasons, I knew it was better than missing myself.
I’d like to say that was the last time I stopped prioritizing my artist self, but it isn’t. Every time it comes up, I see it as an opportunity to check in. Is this still me? Yes? Well, then it’s time to recommit in ways that work for me now.
The things that are most important to us require continual commitment and occasional re-commitment. We show our commitment by prioritizing our time, energy, and resources. And sometimes we show it by letting go of things we want, but don’t want as much as the most important things.
On a more daily basis for me, it can look like:
Not giving in to the part of me that wants to be the best I can be at anything I find enjoyable (like a semi-professional roller derby girl, a competitive swing dancer, an intense hiker, etc…).
Saying no to social engagements so I can work on my projects.
Finding peace with not being able to help everyone with everything I feel I could help them with.
Not letting the dishes in the sink or the emails in my inbox intrude on my sacred art-making time.
Overall, it requires HEAPS OF SELF-HONESTY without judgment.
Are you really going to achieve that thing you want if you keep making something else more important with your time, energy, and actions? NOPE.
Are you willing to change that? I sure hope so. I sure hope that you are willing to engage deeply with the PRACTICE of prioritizing what is truly important to you.
☆★ Creative Challenge ★☆ On the side of one piece of paper, write YES. On the other side, write NO.
→ When considering what to prioritize, ponder what you are saying yes to when you say no to something/someone.
→ And consider what you are saying no to when you say yes to something/someone.
→ I encourage you to doodle on it a bit as a fun way to contemplate your priorities! (This activity is inspired by a great exercised introduced to me by my friend, Suzanne, The Nope Coach.)
Prioritizing is NOT a simple job. It requires self-regulation, time management, planning, cognitive flexibility, and other executive functions. If you struggle to even know how to prioritize, I can support you with coaching and with the Creative Goals Working Circle.