The Joys and Challenges of Slow, Intentional Work
With the year winding down, I find myself reflecting on what’s really been at the heart of my creative process this year: the balance between making meaningful work and resisting the pull of hustle culture. This is the theme that keeps cycling back day after day…..
I kicked off 2024 with some big goals and lots of dreamy dreams. After years as a production artist selling knitwear at Pike Place Public Market in Seattle (I know some of you remember my former brand, Ravel & UnRavel!) and co-owning a brick-and-mortar metaphysical shop where we crafted many of our products, I was ready to create work that felt authentic—not driven by the need to sell quickly or appeal to the masses. But like many of us, I found myself falling into the trap of saying “yes” to every opportunity that came my way. Let’s be real—I need to make a living. We all do. But is there a way to do this without falling into the grind of hustle culture? I found myself agreeing to markets and craft shows that should have been “no’s” and taking on custom order requests that didn’t align with my current creative process. It was all too easy to choose the path of quick, high-turnover items that didn’t feel as fulfilling. This isn’t me saying I was making trash in the studio, not at all. But it didn’t always feel fully and completely “me”. Do you know what I mean?? And so, here I am, navigating the tension between the kind of work I want to make and the pressure to produce work that could be considered a quick and easy sell.
But sometimes, life has a way of redirecting us and forcing us to recalibrate. I’m one of those folks that believes deeply that the universe knows and will set our course straight if we don’t handle it ourselves. I was already receiving lots of signs that I had stepped off my path. But it took the devastation of Hurricane Helene sweeping through the surrounding areas to get me to stop and pay attention. We should all be living the lives we dream of, and I want to make sure I stay focused on my dreams and my path, After Hurricane Helene tore through the south east, some of the markets I’d planned for were rescheduled or canceled. I had a booth spot secured for one of my favorite events, but something didn’t feel right about selling to a heartbroken community. Instead of going through with it, I offered to donate my booth to any local artist who might need this opportunity more. At first, this loss of income stressed me out. But now, I see it as a chance to pause, reset, and realign with the original vision I had for my creative life.
The truth is, I’ve been saying all year that I want to nurture my online community and build a strong foundation for my webshop. The quick-turnover approach isn’t sustainable for me, and it doesn’t honor my creative process. This season, instead of barreling through the final stretch of the year, exhausted and producing work that fills tables but doesn’t always reflect my true vision, I’m choosing to slow down. I’m daydreaming again, allowing the materials to guide me instead of forcing them into preconceived forms. I want to reconnect with the joy of creating without the rush.
On the more “boring” side of studio life, I’m diving deep into SEO and giving my website the attention it deserves (do blogs help?? That’s the rumor)!. This is all part of my long-term plan to create a flourishing online presence that allows me to say "no" to markets I’m not fully passionate about. I know that nurturing my website and focusing on community engagement will allow me to have the kind of growth I’ve always dreamed of – one that doesn’t require endless hustle.
As I head into the final months of 2024, my goal remains clear: I want to live happily while selling my work full-time, staying true to myself and my craft. It’s far from easy, but by trusting the process and embracing the slow, intentional work that brings me joy, I know I’m on the right path.
Thanks for joining me on this creative journey. I’m excited to share more behind the scenes looks into the art studio and the thoughts behind my work.
Cheers to embracing the process,
Mia
