I have officially resigned from both design teams I was on.
Why? Well... I LOVE to stamp... and I do NOT like stress. I am self-imposing stresser-outer. How do you like that for a technical term? LOL I love sitting down, staring at my stamp drawers and choosing just the right stamp to make a card. I enjoy the whole process from choosing the card stock, ribbon and embellishments to addressing the card and sending it out to a friend to brighten her day. It makes me smile. :)
That is something I have not been able to do for some time. Being on a design team means that I have something on my "to do" list. I take my "to do" lists very seriously. It trumps all else... even if it means I don't get to have fun. The problem with this is if I don't feel like doing what is on my "to do" list, then I do nothing. The struggle of WANTING to stamp, but not wanting to use something I myself didn't purchase to stamp with causes me to not be able to stamp. That is NOT a good thing for someone whose hobby IS to stamp.
It was becoming a vicious circle of WANTING to stamp, feeling like I NEEDED to stamp something with stamps I had been sent and going back to stamping NOTHING or feeling guilt for stamping something other than what was on my "to do" list. The 2 companies I was on a DT for are great companies run by GREAT ladies, but I was left feeling stressed by the whole thing.
I was forced to take a long look at myself, my stamping habits and my heart. In the end, I decided that I was not on the design teams for the right reasons, and that the design teams I was on, were not right for me.
As soon as the e-mails were sent and I was able to release my inner "to do" list, I felt SO much better.
Now, I can get back to stamping for me. I will use what I buy and I will buy what I choose. :) I will share the things with you all that I absolutely LOVE and *hopefully* get back to ENJOYING stamping fully without being overwhelmed. I will be a happier, healthier stamper for it. :) LOL
What does that mean for the future? Will I ever be on a design team again? I hope to be. But, it needs to be the right fit for me. I know myself as a stamper and as a person. I am confident in my decision, but I am open to whatever comes! :)
In the meantime, I will continue to make samples for and teach classes at the local stamp store. :) I will continue to buy fun stamps from all the companies that I love. Most importantly, I will stamp MORE... and the stamping I do will be greatly enjoyed! :)
Congratulations on making a decision that is so tough especially in this day and age when so many are trying to get on design teams. Have a very Happy 2008!
ReplyDeleteGood for you Jody! Hopefully we will see much more of your stamping in 2008. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're following your heart. What a good model for the rest of us!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2008 :-)
Good decision. You listened to your heart. I think this is going to happen more and more as stampers come to realize there is more to being on a design team than just the prestige. It is work. Hard work with deadlines. I admire you for doing what you felt what right for you.
ReplyDeletegood for you...you go, girl! i'm glad you decided to do what was right for you...great decision. i know these dt's will miss you, but i know that your decision will lead to more creative liberty for you.
ReplyDeletecan't wait to see what lies ahead for you...i know it will be wonderful!
Hi Jody,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry you were so stressed! I am happy that you are doing what is best FOR YOU - we all only get one life, what is the point if we aren't happy? That is why I gave up law to become a math teacher despite continuing criticism from my friends and family.
I love your work because I love your vision and your creativity - not because of which stamp sets or products you use.
I am happy for you and look forward to viewing your creations, whenever you have time to make them with whatever materials YOU choose!
:)
Best wishes for a HAPPY 2008 Jody!
~Meredith
How refreshing! Sometimes...I wonder if other bloggers are really excited about their new stamps, or just plugging for their company, y'know? I've seen several New Year's Resolution lists that are huge! Glad to see you've only picked 2 (LOL). Good for you Jody. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jody!!
ReplyDeleteIt is brave of you to step away like this and get back to why you probably love stamping in the first place, to just stamp for you and *us* of course;)
Happy New Year to you and your family!!!
Good for you! Stamping should be FUN and a stress-reliever...not add stress to your life! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI know you do not know me. I started following your blog, cause I LOVE your work.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say how impressive it is to see someone strong enough to walk away from something the *thought* they wanted. There are not many who have the strength to do that.
Atta Girl!!!
Julia
Good for you! I am sure that wasn't an 'easy' choice to make. I have often wished for the honor of being on a design team and have applied for a few (no luck yet), but I too have wondered if this would become an issue for me. So, I tend to read the fine print very carefully to be sure I am comfortable with their requirements and processes before even applying.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a blessed New Years!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you chose what is best for you, as hard of a decision as that may have been.
Iam so glad to hear that you feel good about your desicion.
ReplyDeleteyou never know.. maybe in a few years you will be ready again to work for just one company.
hugs
and happy new year to you and your family
Jody - I am excited to see the projects you have up your sleeve. I am sure that decision was very difficult, but felt so perfect once made. Good for you! Here's to a Happy, less stressed 2008!
ReplyDeleteJody, I have always been inspired by your creations of art. You are a huge talent. Your decision to stamp for yourself is even a further inspiration. Create what you want, when you want, with what you want to work with. I can't wait to see your new creations!
ReplyDeleteJody, I stress myself out the same way. You have to take care of you & make you happy first and if it takes dropping off the teams...good for you! I decided I would blog for me and if other people enjoy it that is good but I quit stressing over not posting all the time. Keep up the great blog .....at your own pace & relax & enjoy. Love your stuff and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on making such a tough decision. Happy New Year to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and Enjoy it!!!
ReplyDeleteJody, what a great way to start 2008! I'm sure it was not an easy decision to make but I will love seeing your work that you *want* to do! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHi Jody
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on taking this decision!!!
I agreee with you completely.
I recentyly (Niovember 22nd) wrote
an article at my blog Called "Why do I make cards?"
I would love if you can read it.
Here is the link
http://marciamattos.blogspot.com/2007/11/porque-fao-cartes-why-do-i-make-cards.html
Hugs and have a wonderful 2008 with a lot of stamping and card making!
Márcia
Good for you! I only love to stamp with stamps that I love and working on projects because I want to do them... Not because I have to. You made a decision that will bring joy back into your stamping projects... Happy Stamping to you! And if you stamp more and I get to see more of your beautiful artwork that will make me happy... You are happy and I'm happy...sounds great to me.
ReplyDeleteYou GO girl!!! Do whats right for you and you won't go wrong!!!!!!! Happy New Year,Elizabeth Glass
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I am not currently on any DT's. And sometimes I think there must be something wrong with me, cuz I am NOT on any. I second guess myself....maybe I am not good enough...talented enough....and this is not why I started a blog. I should do it because I enjoy doing it....not just to be on a DT. So kudos to you! You made me feel 100% better about myself too!
ReplyDeleteGood for you. I hope you continue to share with us all that you do. You're creative and talented and I've learned so much from you. Enjoy the New Year!!
ReplyDeletejean
Good for you, Jody!! Enjoy your time! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat big ((((hugs))))!! I know that had to be huge decision, but I know you won't regret it. Happy Stamping. :)
ReplyDeleteWOW! Jody good for you for evaluating what you really want/need.
ReplyDeleteI think its good that you know yourself well enough, and are strong enough to go when it was your time.
I am thankful I have been very selective about what companies I took on. Its all stuff I would be buying otherwise. So that is a plus I dont have to.
You are so talented and I know you will pick up another team when YOU are ready. Heck I thought you secretly worked for Rubber Romance! LOL!
Have FUN!!!
Kudos to you for following your heart. Happy New Year. :)
ReplyDeleteMary
Jody, I am glad to see that you will have more time for classes...which i just luv. Hope you had a wonderful holiday and I will see you lots in 2008
ReplyDeletelots of hugs
Jody,
ReplyDeleteGood for you!!! It's great that you did what was best for you, without giving in to the pressure to "do more". I think you're incredibly talented, and I so enjoy visiting your blog -- thanks for sharing your gifts with all of us! :)
Good for you. Your heart and soul will always lead you in the right direction, so never second guess it. Have fun creating just for you and doing whatever brings you joy. Have a fabulous 2008!
ReplyDeleteHey Jody!
ReplyDeleteI just read your blog about quitting the design teams and I agree with all the other posters. You gotta do what you feel is best for you & your family. I get in those slumps myself and a few months ago I decided I had enough dealing with workshops and craft shows and I walked away from all of it. I felt at that moment a weight was lifted and I was able to breathe again. Now I can sit and stamp for me...for fun! Thank you for sharing your story with us. I look forward to seeing all your beautiful & fun works of art in the future!
Happy New Year!
Wendy
Great post. I thought I was the only one who resigned a design team. I hope to re up some day but the added stress wasn't worth it for me at this time! Good for you. All of your work is rock on gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteGood for you Jody!!!
ReplyDelete