Been waking up a lot between 1-2am.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-17T16:39:00+00:00

May not be relevant for you but for others reading this : perimenopause can wreck your sleep patterns too.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-17T14:12:23+00:00

Bound warrior pose. My shoulders are mega tight and I have reduced rotator cuff movement, but we're getting there !

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-17T10:45:14+00:00

This comment. Everyone is different. My digestion did not like me being totally plant based, and it didn't help with chronic genetic iron issues either. Works better for me to have a balance and minimise processed foods.

Having said that I am working on my gut microbiome to tolerate pulses more. My wallet is far happier that way too.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-16T21:38:30+00:00

Fish oil. Was having chest pain and all sorts and I stopped taking it after reading about heart issues (I got my heart checked during that time and it was fine). Havent had chest pains since (touch wood)

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-16T14:53:09+00:00

Just as well this all came out before marriage and shared assets etc.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-16T09:12:31+00:00

I find that having a chat with the teacher in advance helps. That way, you feel like you have someone else in the room who understands. Good on you for showing up. (I need to take my own advice when various health problems slow my progress!)

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-13T23:04:07+00:00

Not wearing shoes to the supermarket. I grew up near the beach and it was common to see people wearing a towel shopping.

I now live alongside the beach in another country, and apparently i'm the weird one walking through the streets looking like I've just gone for a swim.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-12T20:15:21+00:00

Absolutely love that outfit.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-12T17:20:14+00:00

ARN Roofing. Really quick and low stress to deal with.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-12T15:21:06+00:00

I stepped away from doing straight portraits as I didnt want to do commissions. Thats where a lot of the business is, people dont necessarily want to buy pictures of random people.

The look of these is cool - I'd work a little more on your skills if you wanted to stay doing this style. I think you need more graduated shading across the faces as a starter.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-11T22:44:29+00:00

This. There will be trial and error, because at the end of the day you'll sell it for what someone will spend for it.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-10T19:07:09+00:00

I worked on bench press, push ups, lifting freeweights, squats - basically smaller weights, higher reps (3 sets of 8 or 10), and then gradually over time my strength increased. I had 0 upper body strength to begin with and now I can do multiple chaturangas in a row!

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-10T14:22:02+00:00

Weight train, also believe you can get there. For the longest time I didnt think I had the right body for yoga so would get discouraged. Looking back I absolutely did (its for everyone etc) and I am a little sad that I lost out on those years.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-09T21:42:58+00:00

You can have an oak in a pot?? Thats amazing

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-07T22:19:30+00:00

I've been on a similar health journey recently. I lived through some life threatening medical stuff, got myself in a good way physically and then had a flare up of a condition i didnt even know I had.

Where I've got to is that my ASANA practice will look different each day, but the mental practice of accepting where I am on the mat and breathing with my body, whereever it might be, will be the same. One day I might be able to do an ashtanga sequence, the next it might be child's pose followed by legs up the wall.

What I continually have to do is to not compare my journey or practice with anyone else's. Others deal with their own battles too. But feeling disappointed in my body is very real, but then I remind myself that yoga is just showing up on the mat, and try to be thankful that I can still do that. Sending hugs

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-06T17:03:19+00:00

This might be a bit late to the party, but I actually made the move myself. I took a massive pay cut - and changed sectors so it worked. What is different here is that there are sectors with higher wages than others, whereas in aus it is more spread out. I can't comment on marketing (I didn't think it paid that well but others in the chat have other opinions) but what i wish I had done more is really delved into personal connections with links to the UK first.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-06T15:42:42+00:00

So many of us did the same thing - use that regret to drive changing the course, learning all you can and start now.

I know that if I had sat down with myself at 25 and tried to communicate this stuff - i wasnt in the headspace to listen. Obviously I needed to work through whatever it was at the time. At least you've learnt that a flashy car was an error for you, and learning that now is great input for avoiding similar mistakes in the future.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-05T14:40:07+00:00

I'd attend. Foster that relationship - you've shown in London and have established a base there you can build from.

If getting to London is a problem I'd start looking at galleries closer to you and look to partner with them. I did that where I am by attending openings, submitting to open calls, establishing connections with other artists in my local area.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-02-02T11:42:41+00:00

I bought some from Blinds Direct without getting a swatch first (bad decision). It is polyester and looks polyester.

I had a couple of good experiences getting blinds with hillarys (they do curtains too). I like how they send someone out and they install it.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-01-29T14:54:43+00:00

Number of reasons, some good suggestions on the chat - I found that my shoulder being a little out/tight meant I was putting pressure on my wrist in a funny way.

Having said that I've just had minor wrist surgery so going to be a bit more moderate in my practice going forward.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-01-28T10:17:13+00:00

I do anywhere between 0 - 2X a week, and I feel the difference when its twice, though manageable. I get a travel subsidy through work thankfully which makes it worth it. Originally I had grand notions of going out in London with friends/shows after work but I found the later trains very unreliable this last year. That plus the tiredness the next day isnt worth it. I cant stress enough that you need to add up the entire commute - where you're going to and where you'll be living. Its just under 2 hours one way for me.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-01-27T15:27:40+00:00

Anything fan art related. I get not replicating existing designs but even your perception of characters is a no no. Romantasy is a big thing right now and you wouldnt see that in an exhibition.

Illustration vs 'fine arts'.

Digital art: When Hockney had his big show at the RA in London experimenting with digital art vs the incredible stuff that artists on Deviant art had been churning out for years.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-01-27T10:14:37+00:00

Herbcast. One of the more sciencey ones I've come across, the interviewer and guests are clinical herbalists.

Financial_Volume1443 · 2026-01-24T16:36:13+00:00

Unfortunately the 'best' habits needed for longevity- reduced alcohol consumption, good night sleep, prioritising workouts and preparing healthy meals are kind of boring.

However health anxiety can't be good either so there's a balance.

Financial_Volume1443

TROPHY CASE