To sleep perchance to dream

We have a new puppy, Feferi. And she’s caused me to go without sleep. A lot. My creativity has suffered for it.

We’ve had our new doggo since August and I haven’t done without sleep like this since my kids were babies. My youngest kid is 16. So it’s been a while and let me tell you some true facts:

Doing without sleep makes me dumb as a box of rocks.

I don’t mean I’m forgetful and maybe yawn a bit more than usual. I mean I am lacking in higher math function. Ok no, that’s not quite right I’m lacking in higher math function even if I get 12 hours of sleep a night. I am lacking in the ability to be creative in any meaningful way.

I haven’t had any significant art creative time since the beginning of August.

At first I thought it was a time management thing. I was busy working with the new puppy and yes, I was tired but she was sleeping A LOT. So I didn’t do much creative work but I thought we were just adjusting to the new schedule.

Then it was October and I lost a week isolating because I thought I had Covid and now it’s November and the time has changed and the puppy gets up before 5 am every day and I am so tired I’m cross-eyed most of the time.

I write here for the blog because somehow I can manage words but visuals have me completely stumped. I never imagined my creativity depended so heavily on sleep. But here I am.

The rule at our house when my kids were babies was that I sleep when the baby is asleep. I guess for me to get myself back on track I’m going to have to adopt the same attitude with the puppy. Be creative in the morning when she’s busy playing outside or napping and then during her afternoon nap take my own nap too.

I have to say it’s humbling to be subject to normal human limitations. (I know, I know that sentence is ridiculous. I’ve read it 4 times and I still don’t know how to say that without saying that.) I mean how hard could it be to switch on the creativity? Seeing how rest powers mine is both a reminder of my privilege and a lesson in not taking it for granted. To all of you who work outside your home and commute AND still have an art practice, I salute you! You are the real rock stars.

Meanwhile pup and I are napping in the car line. Please send Diet Coke and Scooby snacks.

What’s your current favorite thing that is interfering with your creative life? Catch up with me on socials, email me, or go old school and leave a comment on this post to be immortalized for all of time.

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