i’m just back in the studio. not much work taking place so far, just a whole lotta cleaning up. and while cleaning, i’ve been thinking about 2012 might bring. it feels quite different to other years – for a good reason.
in 2011, we were lucky – raph’s business’s have been successful, and it’s changed our life quite a bit. after 10 years of my business being the main supporter of our family, we now had another income. it initally came as quite a shock to me. up until recently, our working lives were pretty much based around me being able to do my work. of course, none of it would have happened without raph, who ran all the business goings-on, but who also diligently picked up the kids most days, did the supermarket runs, and was generally there at my beck and call whenever i needed him. i was one spoilt (but very hard working) lady.
but now, this can no longer be the case – unfortunately successful hospitality business’s do not cater for the beck and call of a spoilt wifey. at first, i tried cracking a pretty good princess tantrum for about, ohhh… 6 months. but it didn’t get me anywhere. i also had a good shot at being super-mum, trying to handle much more of the domestic duties, and working insane hours to compensate. but that just made me even more grumpy.
so after many discussion’s about how we can make this new situation work, raph put this to me: “you have worked your ass off for 15 years, and now this is your opportunity work less and just do the things you want to do”. at first, i was outraged. and silent. hard work is my thing – i love it, how could i stop doing what i do? but after a few weeks of consideration, i’m almost at peace with this idea. i’m even starting to like it.
i’ve relaised it doesn’t mean i will no longer be working hard, it does mean i can put more energy into the projects i really believe in, rather than saying yes to everything that comes my way because we need the money to pay our mortgage (yes, up until now i’ve still been working on things i didn’t love because basically we have needed the cash). what an insanely privileged situation i could potentially be in.
i’m so used to working the other way it actually feels a bit wrong, so to convince myself, here are some positive things that this new way of working will hopefully achieve in 2012 for me (resolutions of sorts i guess):
quality not quantity: as i said above – spending more time on the projects i’m really into, and creating for those projects the best work i can possibly deliver. this will also mean i might have to find “no” in my vocabulary from time to time. uh-oh.
more time with my kids: although i don’t do too badly in this department at the mo’, i really want hang with ari as much as i can before he starts school in 2013.
becoming a domestic goddess: our house up until now has generally been pure chaos, but shit under my house rule is going to be ORGANISED, and TIDY. i’m talking dinner menu’s planned 2 weeks in advance, grocery shopping being done online and delivered, a list of chores for each child to be completed every night and a pantry full of neat rows of labelled jars. and that’s just this week.
getting my license: yes, at the ripe old age of 38, i’m a loser who still does not drive. i’m actually quite happy not driving, but it does make getting 2 kids around sort of tricky. i have been taking intermittent lessons for 2 years now, and doing ok (except for parking. i suck at parking), but there is something in me that is just terrified of taking the test. i’m going to get hypnosis or anything else possible (suggestions?) to get over it and start driving for real. and i’m writing it on here for all your public eyes to read so it becomes a proper commitment out there in the world.
more things for me: more gardening, more bike-riding, more opp-shopping, more getting fit (with this life-changing lady), more time-wasting time on the internet, more reading books, more long lunches with wine, more trips to the library, more watching dvd’s, more sleeping. all the things i have struggled to find time to do before, i’m going to do more of now.
so there it is, my life laid bare for 2012. it all seems so positive and indulgent right now, but i guess everything could still go belly up and i’ll be back to slaving my nights away (which you know, i don’t actually mind every now and again). ah the joys of a husband and wife both being self-employed (and crazy).
what’s up for you guys in 2012?
wow… you so bloody deserve time for treats beci!
hey so about the driving, I was a bit of a late starter also… I would highly recommend getting out of the city for practice, lessons AND the test… I did mine in Ararat and there is only one set of traffic lights there and (the best bit) no parallel parks!! This way I got the license (one hurdle) and then took my time getting more confident driving in the city…. hope this helps!
That’s lovely, not many people can work for quality not quantity, you really should treasure this time, you deserve it!
I have intermittently worked out with Mishfit too, she is ace!
Sounds like a good plan to me Ms Orpin! Especially the jars in neat rows!
Perhaps a camberwell market date is in order soon to buy more cute jars for the neat rows?
x
Happy new year Beci, I turn 37 in two days time and still don’t have my license. I took a lesson before Xmas and have four booked in for next week!! Maybe we could start a driving therapy group for ‘older drivers’ in melbs??!! Ha!!
Wowee. This has been a conversation in our house too. I work fulltime and commute four hours a day to the job. On top of that, it’s a pretty full-on and often stressful job. There’s no stop button. When the work beast gets rolling, as it soon will for 2012, there’s no off. I left 2011 behind feeling it was one of the hardest years for me professionally, personally and as a family. We’ve been talking not so much about another person picking up the load but about us both taking lesser roles to enjoy a better work and life balance. Our kids are older, thank goodness, but parenting dependent older teens and adults – particularly a very needy and troubled adult – can be just as draining.
ahh I like the optimism of the lists, maybe just achieving one will do – I’m opting for the license so when I get around to get my knee done you can be my chauffeur!
I’m gonna do the driver’s license as well this year, I’ve promised myself!!
))
And opposite to you I’d like to concentrate more on my work, but maybe more on the good one
Happy 2012!
yay for you. this list / outlook for the year ahead sounds super. good luck with the driving. i was terrified learning to drive and thought there was no way i could learn manual as i sucked at automatic but guess what i did. practice is key!! oh and a good teacher too. i look forward to seeing what creative output you get up to in 2012. xevie
Great new Beci, I think this is going to be a great year for you! Let me know how you go with the driving, I too am a non-driver, terrified of the test, would love to know if you find any solutions. Good luck! x
P.S. I meant ‘great news, Beci’, not ‘great new Beci’ although that is obviously true too!!
A good to do list you got going there… don’t feel too bad about the license though. I don’t have one either! I thought I was the only one out there..haha. Mine was because living in Copenhagen for 6 years virtually meant a car was impossible. A bike took you everywhere and no need to look for non existing parking places. I am also trying to figure out what to do since I also have 2 kiddos that needs to get places everyday. I guess strapping them on my bike will only work for so long. Looking forward to see what you work with in 2012… Happy New Year to you and your family!
Hi Beci,
I am so impressed to learn you don’t have a license yet! At 34 I thought I was the only one left in Melbourne. It can be tricky getting around without 4 wheels & I’m curious to know: How on earth have you managed as a freelance deisgner & with two kids in tow???!!!
I think a Beci-Orpin style guide to Melbourne (without a car) is definitely in order!
I love it, Beci, what a wonderful change for 2012, and time to do the shiz you wanna do!
I got my license when I was 26 – not that late, but had to do it in 4 weeks! I lived in East Brunswick at the time and hell’s bells, the instructor took me on my first-ever drive down Albion Road!!!!! Insaneballs.
Congrats on the decision to scale down and focus on quality jobs… I did the same mid-2011 and trust me, you start to get addicted to saying ‘no’ quite quickly! Enjoy your well-deserved new work/life balance
I love this post so very much! Yay to a year of you (which I’m hoping includes a return trip to Seoul? The martini glasses are chilling…) x
Fantastic! Enjoy your time, guilt-free. You certainly deserve it. I too was a late driver, and was forced into it by receiving a ‘gift’ of driving lessons from the mother-in-law for my birthday. I cried during my first drive (in a Safeway carpark) but am now officially a mild hoon. Good luck.
Sounds like your 2012 is going to be wonderful! Can’t wait to see what you will make! I didn’ get my licence until I was 21 (which is bad in regional QLD..) and almost 6 years later, driving is still scary sometimes, but I’m pretty comfy driving to my fave places
Practice as much as you can, drive everywhere, until you feel comfortable, and I’m sure you’ll ace the test!
Sounds like a great plan for the new year! I love that there are so many non-drivers like me out there too. I’ve promised myself that I’ll get my license before I have kids but…I just don’t wanna.
I have embarked on a new career!
Loving staying in touch via the blog. Love to you and the fam x
Hey Beci, happy 2012!! Let me know if you guys are still in need of help, I would love to be of assistance if I can
I’m working at a design / printing company at the moment and learning lots about InDesign and working on Macs, and coupled with my admin skills already, think I might be of better help to you now!
Xxx
Beci, I’m a big fan of your work – and with that, your work ethic. It is so obvious how dedicated you are to your craft! I am excited for you that you have an opportunity to be a little more… selective in how you spend your time. I think only good things can come from this. Good luck
sooo many nice comments! amazing! this really is the best start to the year i could possibly have. thanks so much everyone. and thanks for driving tips too – nice to know i’m not the only late bloomer out there. xx
I spent the morning looking at your work and found it inspiring and my you have been busy. Thanks for sharing it. It will be interesting to see how your work will develop now that the pressure is off. Getting fit is great, so is time with the kids and the garden. Cheers.
Oh Becci, i loved this post… I’m going through a work identity change/crisis too.. On maternity leave but still working out how to blend old life and new … The worst thing is that I TOO DON’T HAVE BLOODY license… this year it will happen. It has to! Best of luck and i can’t wait to see your creative cleverness x
Aw how nice that you will get to do all the things you haven’t got the chance to – and what a lovely Hubby for saying so too!
Looking forward to some of your future projects – enjoy this time. I am determined to keep things {life, feelings, material possessions } simple in 2012. I am sick and tired of stuff – mental and physical clutter. { though I am not a hoarder by any means }. Really just aiming to enjoy the simple stuff. I think writing for kinfolkmag.com last year has convinced me more than ever that it’s do-able, even living in a crazy, busy city.
Hope you have a great { restful & fulfilling } 2012.
x
Beci I am almost 25 and still don’t have my license! For many reasons, scared of driving, can’t afford lessons/car/pertrol, parents never pushed me etc etc. Feels great to find hear other people over 18 still in the learning process. We can get there!
Oh wow…I knew there were a few of us out there (non-drivers over the age of 34 – my age!) but thanks for this post in letting me know there are LOTS and you all feel the SAME WAY as I do! I’m doing it this year too…2 kids, one starting school is my motivation. Yay to us!
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Oh my god – You make me feel so much better about not having my licence at 25. And it may take me another 10 years to get it! It’s just not on my priority list and nor is owning a car. Thank you! You have some great resolutions!
Oh hahaha I love how the comments have turned into a support group for people who don’t have their drivers licences! Good to hear you are all out there! xo
Hi Beci,
It is good to know that I am not the only 38 year old who doesn’t drive. But like you I’m putting it on my agenda. Oh and also on my list is to own one of your beautiful pieces. All the best for 2012
Beci,
thank you for your kind words… I think they are great goals and I look forward to making you sweat very soon!
mishx
Hey beci., I didn’t start driving proper til 40. My excuses were many, always lived near trams, worked in city, nowhere to park even if I did have a car. My best advice is to get an small automatic car and go for it. I bought myself a car first so I couldnt opt out. I hated the lessons but hell, if my mum and half her friends can drive it couldn’t be the mystery that i had built up in my head. Now I love it! Best of luck.
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