Well, we are still in lockdown. It's much harder the second time round. The first time I really got into the groove of creating and slowing down. It was wonderful to spend time at home, pottering around the kitchen making yummy food. Now, I'd much rather be at the beach, or in the bush. Someplace other than inside these four walls.

Part of the problem I think is that I had run out of things to do. I (mostly) cleared my desk of projects and then felt like I had nothing to do or look forward to. There's a sweet spot with creativity. Too many projects and I get overwhelmed and don't do anything. Not enough projects and I don't feel inspired and don't do anything either. Just enough projects and I happily bounce from one to the other as the mood strikes me.

Of course the much larger problem is I am missing all the connections with my friends and family and the collaborations that occur. There's not much I can do to fill that void of actually being able to see the people I love and give them a hug hug. The best I can do right now is get back into letter writing and connecting via phone.

I was feeling flat last week and so were my girls so we went and visited a book shop. I'm grateful they are considered an essential service and are still open. They are so good for the soul. We spent a happy couple of hours browsing and then I blew my book budget completely and bought all these beauties. How could I resist? Now we use these with our new art supplies!

How are you coping? What are you doing to stay sane?