My freelancing group have reminded me that if I’m stuck with the downsides of freelancing, it’s best if I really exploit the upsides such as flexible working hours. So I slept in until midday today, worked from home for a few hours, then went into the studio for a bit. It was delightful. I cleaned and organised, and planned to do some gilding I’ve been needing to find time for. But I really wanted to play with my new restricted palette and I decided I’d done enough stressful things today and could reward myself. So I took this lovely print of a Waterhouse painting, and I mixed all these colour swatches as if I was going to paint it. This colour mixing process works brilliantly for me, I’m so pleased. I’ve decided to start talking back to my limiting anxiety and tell myself I can reach the heights of any skill or profession I apply myself to. It’s helping undo a lot of blocks in my head, I can learn better and think a little more clearly. Every moment of that is a blessing I treasure.

I’m also starting new classes this week, courtesy of Rose. Meditative wood carving lessons, which she thought might help my anxiety. Looking forward to it.