Accepting the consequences

Last weekend I presented my new collection (We are) Never Broken at the Knokke art fair Artist Meeting. The story behind this body of work lifted me somehow, and made the experience pretty amazing.

Now, in reality I am not able to be on my feet 3,5 days, talk to hundreds of people, stay present. My health just isn’t that strong.

But I did it. I chose to. I forced myself, knowing I would have to suffer the consequences.

I have been sleeping 16 hours a day for the past week. I probably will need to keep doing this for another week, maybe two. I canceled plans with friends. I still haven’t sorted my luggage from the trip. I haven’t cooked, cleaned, done my administration. You get the idea: I am being a cat.

A couple of years ago I would have been furious at myself. For not being productive, useful, a good friend, awake. Only, the frustration took so much energy it made the recovery process even longer. So, with lots of trial and error, I gave up resenting myself for being who I am. Befriending my body, accepting my limits, is the only way to get me where I want to be: painting, seeing friends, planning new opportunities to show you my art.

Janis Joplin said: “Wait a minute. Maybe I can do anything.”
I can do anything. As long as I get 3 weeks to sleep afterwards, that is. But, man... what a life: I can do anything!