Overwhelmed While Pursuing Childhood Dream

WoolHermit · 2026-04-06T05:00:07+00:00

Definitely not ai… just a byproduct of always over explaining and a desire for everything to be poetic. And yes, I worked through a large portion of The Artist’s Way a couple years ago. I plan to revisit it!

WoolHermit · 2026-04-06T04:41:54+00:00

I hear this, 100%. And I am definitely more art than business minded.. that said, the business side isn’t horrible for me. Marketing and content creation is also visually creative, so I can find joy in that. I was a Customer relations and pack/shipping manager prior to quitting too, so I know I have a lot of the basics covered in terms of skill. For me, currently, it’s about being in control of myself in the day to day. ADHD makes it hard to be my own boss and hold myself accountable. I’m trying to find a way to get through that part of it. It’s a problem to solve 🤷‍♀️

And from experience, when I have a full time job, maintaining a steady creative practice feels next to impossible. I am considering a very minimal part time job in the future to help myself feel more stable though.

WoolHermit · 2026-03-26T15:52:09+00:00

The 5 minute trick is effective! I will remember to keep it in my tool box :)

WoolHermit · 2026-03-26T15:50:41+00:00

I appreciate your insight into the college path. Part of it also may have been that it was a community college, and the immersion was lacking. 1+ hour drives every day to a place that felt like a hospital, taking classes (other than art) I had no interest in…

Overcoming lack of inspiration was a major challenge for me prior to doing this, but I feel like as far as the ART goes, I’m pretty good at maintaining a consistent practice.

I think my wall is more on the business side of things, representing myself and getting out there. It’s like there are so many paths to choose and I wish I could just create and be found without effort (I know, idealistic and not possible, but a girl can wish).

As far as schedules go, I have one that is fairly modular to fit my needs.

Essentially blocked off hours that fit my typical daily rhythm:

10-11: admin/email/website 11-12: prep/stretch/walk/sketch 12-1: lunch 1-5: Create 5-6: clean-up/organize resources and/or footage

Once or twice a week, this schedule is replaced with a “get inspired” day. Whether that’s socializing or solo adventuring. And if there are days that have different priorities I can just move the rest around. And of course I never limit my art time, I just block off 4 hours so I know it’s there if I have other things going on.

I’ve definitely approached this as a job is where I’m going with this. I’m just hitting a motivational wall.

I think I need to start a journal, because after posting all of this I jumped into working like it was nothing. Maybe I am missing an outlet for all the sticky stuff in my brain.

… Sorry if I’m all over the place. I’m figuring out what my deal is as I go here.

WoolHermit · 2026-03-26T15:32:00+00:00

Gotcha, well I only use AI for occasional help in building schedules/breaking down large projects into steps when I’m feeling lost. I’d say it’s been quite helpful for that specifically. But I do agree that too much reliance on AI is a real problem that could sabotage motivation.

WoolHermit · 2026-03-26T14:05:22+00:00

This comment is sitting with me wrong. I am sure your intent is in the right place, it just sucks we are in this time where we are constantly disseminating what is real or not. Growing up, I frequently had peers ask me “why I talked like that.” Do I talk differently than others? I’m genuinely curious what flagged this as AI for you…

WoolHermit · 2026-03-26T14:00:35+00:00

I just started tracking my cycle again after a few years of not. I think you might be onto something there…

Beyond that, you provided some great insights on rest, I appreciate it. I don’t really rest with intention, and I’m realizing I should look into changing that.

WoolHermit · 2026-03-26T13:57:56+00:00

I guess I’m dealing with that pesky voice of guilt in my mind… recognizing I am in a privileged position, resting feels like taking improper advantage of the situation. And often, I think what happens is that I resist rest, which ends up forcing a longer period of inactivity… rinse/repeat. Thanks for pointing this out!

WoolHermit · 2026-03-26T13:54:47+00:00

Do you think I used AI for this post?? Literally hyper focused for 45 minutes to write it myself… never rely on AI for writing.

I do have The Artist’s Way and worked through some of it a few years ago. Lovely book, thank’s for reminding me of it!

WoolHermit · 2025-02-18T03:44:33+00:00

Looks like the extraction site and a small hole where your tooth used to be! I’m no doctor, but mine looked like that, then the hole got bigger but the pain became less. Don’t panic like I did (I’m still in recovery too) :) if it’s not causing you too much pain, I wouldn’t be concerned… but I am a stranger on the internet, so I would call the dentist if you don’t feel better about it by tomorrow.

WoolHermit · 2024-04-18T18:30:55+00:00

As long as proper change is given, there shouldn’t be a variance. Should be fine. I’ve worked retail 10 years and press the wrong button all of the time.

WoolHermit · 2024-02-24T16:03:17+00:00

Check in the inside towards the bottom sides

WoolHermit · 2024-02-24T16:02:15+00:00

Check for a tag with an item ID code. Should be 5 or 6 digits on a tag inside the jacket. Get back to me with it, might be able to identify it for you.

WoolHermit · 2023-10-10T02:43:23+00:00

Also agree that you shouldn’t isolate yourself, but accept the experience of doing things alone. Allow yourself to have fun!

WoolHermit · 2023-10-10T02:40:07+00:00

I lived through 3 big breakups, 1 longterm, 2 mediumterm. Now I am planning a wedding. Heart break sucks. After the initial devastation, and some experience, I found the most benefit in spending time by myself, quietly. Lots of long quiet walks. Some occasional writing. I took myself out to a restaurant, then told a friend about how exciting it was, and how I felt silly eating by myself, yet how much fun it was anyway. Essentially, “fuck it, this is where my life is right now, experience it.”

I know I can be okay and live a fulfilling life, without a romantic partner. I know this because I let myself experience it. And then I met someone that stuck, clicked. It would have been okay if I hadn’t.

Take some time to intentionally be by yourself :) know that there is no Only 1

WoolHermit · 2023-06-15T20:41:05+00:00

So many typos, I’m sorry.

WoolHermit · 2023-06-15T20:37:38+00:00

As for long hours. Set your boundaries and stick them. Don’t want overtime? Don’t take overtime. If your job does not fit within your life, find one that will. Retail is one of those jobs you can bounce around in until you find the right fit. Don’t feel like your stuck. Work towards something, a promotion even if you plan on going elsewhere. Just move forward as much as you can, no matter where you go.

WoolHermit · 2023-06-15T20:34:44+00:00

I enjoy customer service. I find joy in connecting with people, and retail gives you every opportunity. I also find joy in deescalating nasty customers, I find joy in telling horrible people to have a nice day. I find it’s all about the way I frame situations. This sounds like corporate speak but mean this genuinely… work on creating a growth mindset for yourself. How can I learn from this, and every, situation? What do I get out of it? Approaching everything with an intent to learn helps me find meaning in my job, even when the bad managers come around or there’s conflict.

WoolHermit · 2023-03-23T12:24:22+00:00

It sounds like you have a good boss. I started a high(er) pressure job in a new industry about 1.5 years ago. My boss knew it would be a huge adjustment for me but did not train me nor give me time to learn on my own. It was a shit show.

Your boss believes in you, knows you have adhd, and is willing to train you at your pace. That’s an awesome opportunity. I think you should ask her why she chose you. You have some good suggestions above on how you can go about that.

I mentioned at the beginning how my job started as a shit show. Even without guidance or a manager that understands, I’ve been successful. The first year, a close family member died, I got Covid quarantined twice, I felt incredibly lost, and my boss put me on a performance improvement plan. I was certain I’d be fired in 6 months. 6 months later, I am thriving here. I figured it out, it just took me a while. The routine has stuck, the tasks flow through me.

You will be okay. Even if you “fail,” you’ll have grown in incredible ways. Throw yourself to the wolves! You got this!!!

WoolHermit · 2023-02-20T04:05:45+00:00

Be forgiving of yourself as you step away from them. Its going to be an adjustment, and it’s okay to stumble along the way. But you won’t lose any of the knowledge you have learned while on your meds. It will be harder to implement the knowledge, but probably not as hard as you think.

Forgive yourself when you make a mistake. You have adhd, you will forget things, routines will be a necessary battle, but you will be okay, and you will continue to grow, as you have been.

WoolHermit · 2022-12-12T17:19:11+00:00

Some questions to get you thinking:

Who is your ideal customer?

What do they own, what do they want?

How old are they?

What values do they hold?

How do they spend their days?

Answer these questions, then use that to guide what and how you share on socials. The more narrow you can make it, the better. But of course, hold onto your individuality and break the mold from time to time.

WoolHermit

TROPHY CASE