I don't remember being a child, not much, just a few flashes, and by the age of 11 I already felt like an adult. I think I skipped those stages. I thought differently from girls my age, like an adult, although I'm not sure what age that adult would be.
So I think I've been an adult for a long time and learned to see things differently from a very early age, to take on responsibilities without even being old enough to do so, responsibilities that were often not mine.
Having your own business or your own venture is not easy. Being your own boss is fine, but the workload is even greater. I realised that it wasn't an 8-hour job like any other, but many more, too many more, and I saw that the same thing happened to many others who had their own businesses, especially those who had to continue dealing with related matters after their supposed working hours were over.
All jobs have their pros and cons. I have done several jobs of both kinds and I still like working for myself, but I had to learn to set limits for myself, because at one point in my life the overload was so great that one day I thought I was going to explode. I had to go outside and breathe. I didn't know what was happening to me, and it was the excessive demands I placed on myself that were causing me great stress. I had to set a limit on my excessive responsibility so as not to get sick. In fact, it had already happened to me: I got sick from stress.
My business venture consisted of many sub-areas at the same time, all related to IT, and I worked every possible hour, every single one. And in my spare time, what little I had, I fixed up my house with my own hands. It was very exhausting. I liked my work, but I didn't know how to set limits for myself, and that overwhelmed me. I taught classes, did design work, printed work for others, and much more.
That day, the day I thought something serious was going to happen to me, I realised I couldn't go on like that, no matter how much I loved what I was doing. I made several decisions about it. I reduced my teaching hours and replaced them with painting classes, which were very relaxing, calm and soul-filling. I started painting pictures again and was more in touch with nature. Those three things were my salvation. Maybe it didn't make me any money, because people didn't have the money to buy a painting from me, but I was happy.
To change a situation, you have to be the one to change, not wait for changes to come from the outside in, and that's what I did: I rethought my life and took better care of myself. At that time, I had a 20x50 metre garden with lots of nature, fruit trees, flowers, green spaces, and I began to enjoy it more. In the city, there weren't many spaces, it was a very grey city, and that little corner was an oasis, so I often went out for a walk, sat down and admired creation.
That recharged my energy, and the painting workshop was like something sublime. That simple combination helped me a lot. It's just a small but significant change that can make a difference. Perhaps what I'm saying can help someone else, and I would be happy if it did. Today, I continue to spend more and more time in contact with nature, and it has helped me in my growth and evolution. Nature is the ultimate healer and restorative.
I reiterate, a small but important change can make a difference in our lives and make them better. This is one of the great weekend topics proposed by @galenkp. Thank you very much for that, because it invites reflection.
Thank you all very much for joining me today. I wish you a very good weekend. See you soon.
Amonet.
Used translator Deepl.com free version.
