So a few months have passed and it’s safe to say that my ambitious social media plan didn’t quite work out. As much as it might seem as though I sit on my behind all day (kind of true), stuffing my face with biscuits (also kind of true), I do manage to fit a lot of work in.

After months of working on a mixture of rush projects and two larger ongoing ones, I’m tired. Great to be so busy, but exhausting. You hit a wall, a bit like runners do, when you get about two-thirds of the way through.

It gets particularly difficult when the sun comes out and you’re stuck indoors. Contrary to popular belief, we can’t just get up and relocate to the garden. Have you ever tried seeing a laptop screen when the sun is glaring? Or felt the power of a bright white sketchbook page on the old retinas? Not ideal.

Anyway, for the first time in a long time I have a bit of time before starting my next projects. I’m cramming in as much tidying, invoicing, administrating, portfolio-updating and general nose-arounding as possible. I’ve even checked Twitter. I’ve read some blogs about the constant self-doubt that surrounds authors and illustrators the world over. As much as these ‘rest’ periods make you feel like you’re slacking, they’re essential to stop you feeling burnt out. And you get to empty your head or just respond to things going on around you. Today, I responded to the#NationalGardeningWeek prompt on Twitter by creating this little thing.

 

Tomorrow, I’ve been told I’m going swimming. My youngest is enjoying my time off even more than I am.

I’ll report back soon.