Here I am reflecting on the last six months. Saskia just turned six months old last week, and almost exactly at the same time, she started crawling.
As thoughts about childcare and returning to work started to surface, I made a considered decision to sell my Toyota Hilux. For me, time is the most valuable currency. Selling it wasn’t easy, but it has given me another 6–12 months at home with my daughter. It has also allowed me to invest in my art practice, which is what I hope to build toward long term.
The past six months of parenting have taught me a lot, particularly about filtering advice and trusting my own judgement. I’ve learned that I don’t need the latest baby products to be a capable mother. Many gadgets seem to add distance rather than connection, but that's just my opinion. For us, less has been more, except when it comes to spending time together.
People often describe early parenthood as long or isolating. That hasn’t been my experience. I rarely feel like there’s enough time in the day with Saskia. Our days are simple: walks in the pram, hikes with the backpack, playing with wooden toys on a blanket. These routines have slowed me down and helped me notice the moments that matter. But, don't get me wrong, we sure have challenging times.
I’ve made an effort to engage with my local community, spending time in nearby cafés and attending a weekly mums coffee group, and a mums yoga group.During nap times, I work quietly on ideas, my website and social media, and the occasional exhibition proposal. With help from family, I’ll soon return to the home studio one or two days a week while Saskia is cared for at home.
There’s an ongoing internal conversation about returning to full-time work and earning a specific income. For now, I’m choosing to earn enough to get by, while focusing on being a full-time mother and a part-time artist.
What has surprised me is how much more disciplined my art practice has become. I even managed to take part in two art exhibitions before Christmas which was great fun. With limited time, my focus is sharper, and the time I spend making work is deliberate
I look forward to sharing more work with you soon!