The Spoonie Artist's Survival Guide: Finding Beauty in the Chaos

Hey there, fellow creative ones👋 Let's talk about something that's rarely discussed in those picture-perfect FB and Instagram posts: the wild and wonderful journey of being an artist-entrepreneur while your body has... shall we say, its artistic interpretation of how things should work.

The Great Juggling Act

The Creative Ringmaster Some days you're channeling your inner Picasso; other days you're more like a business guru in paint-splattered pajamas. And you know what? Both are totally valid!  Whether you have one spoon or twenty, you're mixing colors while mixing business strategies, and sometimes your best ideas come while lying flat on your back during a mandatory rest period. Who said you can't design your next masterpiece horizontally?

The Body Whisperer Your body isn't just along for the ride – it's more like that one friend who has VERY strong opinions about everything. With only so many spoons a day, you're becoming a master at energy budgeting. You're learning its language, which sometimes sounds suspiciously like "Nope, not today!" But hey, you're getting pretty good at this translation thing:
That pain you're feeling. It's saying, "Maybe try tomorrow."
Brain fog? Time for a break and some doodling instead of detailed work.
Surprise energy burst at 2 AM? Quick, grab those brushes! (But maybe not the power tools...)

The Money Magician Managing finances with chronic illness is like playing Monopoly with a cat on the board – things can get interesting! You're juggling medical bills, art and studio supplies, and maybe wondering if that new ergonomic chair counts as a business expense. (Spoiler alert: totally does!)

The Public Performance The Social Media Acrobat
Some days you're posting beautiful work-in-progress shots, other days you're sharing pictures of your art assistant (aka your cat) napping on your latest piece. Because let's be real – sometimes the most authentic content is just keeping it real about why that painting is taking a scenic route to completion.

The Client Communication Dancer You've mastered the art of the professional email that says, "slight delay" instead of "my body is staging a revolt." You're building relationships with clients who appreciate your unique process, and maybe even educating them about adaptive artistry along the way.

The Event Ninja Art shows and markets require strategic planning that would impress a military commander. You've got your emergency kit, your portable chair, and backup plans for your backup plans. Sometimes success means showing up for two hours instead of six or not being able to go at all– and that's perfectly okay! Listen to your body, or your body will choose a day for you, and you will have no choice but to rest. 

The Inner Alchemy

The Emotional Alchemist You're turning challenging days into creative gold. Sometimes the art that comes from your toughest moments speaks the loudest, and that's a kind of magic all its own.

The Mental Health Gardener You're cultivating resilience like a rare plant – with patience, care, and maybe a bit of creative fertilizer. Some days you have plenty of spoons to spare, others barely enough to get dressed - and both of those days are valid. Some days are for growing, others are for resting, and both are equally important.

The Energy Weather Forecaster You've become surprisingly good at predicting your energy patterns. With only so many spoons each day, you've learned to spend them wisely. Low energy day? Hello, detail work and tiny brushes. High energy day? Time to tackle that large canvas you've been eyeing.

The Grand Finale: Putting It All Together 

Remember: You're not just making art – you're adapting to a whole new way of being an artist. Your process might look different from the "traditional" path, but who wants traditional anyway? You my dear are taking the road less traveled. You're pioneering new territory, and that makes you part artist, part explorer, and part revolutionary.

Your journey might include more rest stops than others, but hey, sometimes the scenic route offers the best views. You're not just creating art; you're showing the world that creativity doesn't follow a rulebook, and neither do you.

So, keep going, you magnificent creative rebel! Your art matters, your pace is perfect, and your story inspires others, even on the days when you're creating from bed. Because let's face it – some of the best art has been made from bed.

And always remember tomorrow is another day, and always, always celebrate your small wins... yes, even if it was just having energy to take a shower. 🤗 Every tiny victory is part of your creative journey; every small step forward is worth celebrating.

Remember: Every masterpiece has its timeline, every artist has their path, and sometimes the most beautiful creations come from working with our challenges rather than fighting them. You're not just surviving as an artist with chronic illness – you're reinventing what it means to thrive.

Keep creating, keep resting when you need to, and keep being wonderfully, authentically you. Your art journey might have extra plot twists, but that just makes it a more interesting story to tell. 🎨✨ 

And remember, as the great Bob Ross would say (with a slight twist): "We don't make mistakes, we have unexpected plot developments that lead to creative solutions!"

 Thank you for reading.

💞 Alisa Marie

Thanks for reading 

Alisa Marie