testing testing

What are your coping strategies when things go wrong or become so frustrating that you want to throw the whole project out of the window?

I'm still in the throes of producing my workshop for 21 Secrets but the technology has been beset by gremlins this week.  Error messages keep appearing, work won't save, I can't find files.

Apparently, Mercury is in retrograde and this affects such things.  I just know it's frustrating, whatever might be causing these problems.

Yesterday, having burst into tears, I walked away from the laptop and down to my studio. The paint flowed and the world turned the right way up again.

The technical problems are still there today.  Frustration abounds but I know I can go and make art and feel better.  

My other coping mechanisms are: 

• ask my technical, left brained son for help (I don't know what I'd do without him)
• going for a walk
• put some music on
• go and do something different - anything - bake a cake, clean, dance round the kitchen
• talk to the cat (she doesn't know anything about technology but she makes me happy). 

What do you do when you are working on something,whatever it is, and nothing seems to be going right?  

Let me know in the comments box, I do love to hear from you

From my heart to yours

Rachel xox

Comments

[Kristin McMillan]

Awww, I'm sure sorry for all your troubles there, Rachel! I can SO understand, and yeah, this Mercury in retrograde thing has got to go! LOL What I have to do is look at it as a challenge to how I cope and look at things. Have you ever noticed that quite often, right after you have to wrestle with difficulties like this that suddenly you get a burst of energy and creativity? We will always have these glitches, and the sooner we can breathe through them (or dance, or take a walk, or talk to the cat), the better. Taking a walk is the best one for me. Walking removes me from the scene of the impending crime and puts that potentially angry energy to a much better use: physical activity. And yes, getting the support of friends is a must :) Hugs to you, dear heart, and know that you will birth this wonderful project!

[Rachel Ellen Andrews]

Thanks Kristin, thankfully the problems are all sorted out now :D Sometimes, when you're in the middle of this stuff it's difficult to step back and get a hold of the bigger picture. Painting really worked as a big release of all the tension this time. Like you, I find that taking a walk is a great way to change the energy flow!