This really resonated with me Astrid. I read Braiding Sweetgrass and loved it and have also recently been thinking about the seasons and the seasonality of life. Some thoughts around this is related to aging also.
But I agree with you it also exists in our businesses. And like you I feel it frees me up to think about my work & business like this. I think as self employed or becomes even more important to move towards a cyclical way of thinking about time because it is so much more unpredictable than when you have a paid job. In that situation linear thinking and linear time lends itself easier.
If I was to reflect on where my own business is right now, I would say early Spring. Coming out of a slow & resting / slightly dormant season I am now in the space of planting new seeds & bulbs, clearing and tidying up but yet not is an abundance / harvest season.
Thank you for taking the time to reply Linn, I'm happy to hear that this resonates with you. I love how you describe the current stage of your business--the Spring stage is definitely exciting. Happy planting 🌱 x
I'm a longtime business owner, and I've learned this lesson about cyclicality the hard way, by gnashing my teeth against the slower times for probably the first ten years I was in business. It took a really long time to see that there's a lot of benefit to being slower, and you can consolidate a lot of the improvements you've made during the busy times, so they stay in place for the next rush. This is good stuff.
Thank you Andrew for your comment and for your words--it's so ingrained in us to fear the slower times I think that we'll try to fight them when they happen indeed. Happy to hear that you've grown to see the benefit of the slower times.
Thanks, Astrid! As you rightfully point out, this did not happen overnight. It took many years of observing the business cycle to feel more comfortable with the ebb and flow.
My grad school is having all of us read Braiding Sweetgrass this year and I loooove it so far!! It’s helping me rethink my relationship to myself and to nature, as well as my conceptions about modern society in America. I love that you’re extending her thoughts to hustle culture. As someone who is disabled and also super busy with school, running a small art business full time is just not something I can do. It’s not something to feel shame about but rather it can ebb and flow as my priorities shift!
Indeed, there is no shame that you're unable to run your art business full time! It sounds like you have a lot on your plate--this is a season that you're in too. You might have more time and energy for your business in the future, and perhaps less at others times. Thinking in terms of ebb and flow and seasons has allowed me to give myself grace--I hope you feel the same Madeleine! (And how cool that your Braiding Sweetgrass is assigned reading at your grad school! What are you studying?)
This really resonated with me Astrid. I read Braiding Sweetgrass and loved it and have also recently been thinking about the seasons and the seasonality of life. Some thoughts around this is related to aging also.
But I agree with you it also exists in our businesses. And like you I feel it frees me up to think about my work & business like this. I think as self employed or becomes even more important to move towards a cyclical way of thinking about time because it is so much more unpredictable than when you have a paid job. In that situation linear thinking and linear time lends itself easier.
If I was to reflect on where my own business is right now, I would say early Spring. Coming out of a slow & resting / slightly dormant season I am now in the space of planting new seeds & bulbs, clearing and tidying up but yet not is an abundance / harvest season.
Thank you for taking the time to reply Linn, I'm happy to hear that this resonates with you. I love how you describe the current stage of your business--the Spring stage is definitely exciting. Happy planting 🌱 x
Thank you!
I'm a longtime business owner, and I've learned this lesson about cyclicality the hard way, by gnashing my teeth against the slower times for probably the first ten years I was in business. It took a really long time to see that there's a lot of benefit to being slower, and you can consolidate a lot of the improvements you've made during the busy times, so they stay in place for the next rush. This is good stuff.
Thank you Andrew for your comment and for your words--it's so ingrained in us to fear the slower times I think that we'll try to fight them when they happen indeed. Happy to hear that you've grown to see the benefit of the slower times.
Thanks, Astrid! As you rightfully point out, this did not happen overnight. It took many years of observing the business cycle to feel more comfortable with the ebb and flow.
My grad school is having all of us read Braiding Sweetgrass this year and I loooove it so far!! It’s helping me rethink my relationship to myself and to nature, as well as my conceptions about modern society in America. I love that you’re extending her thoughts to hustle culture. As someone who is disabled and also super busy with school, running a small art business full time is just not something I can do. It’s not something to feel shame about but rather it can ebb and flow as my priorities shift!
Indeed, there is no shame that you're unable to run your art business full time! It sounds like you have a lot on your plate--this is a season that you're in too. You might have more time and energy for your business in the future, and perhaps less at others times. Thinking in terms of ebb and flow and seasons has allowed me to give myself grace--I hope you feel the same Madeleine! (And how cool that your Braiding Sweetgrass is assigned reading at your grad school! What are you studying?)
I’m getting a double masters in art therapy and counseling!! Had to find a way to get a salaried job with health insurance while still making art!