Month Two of Failing Forward
February Edition
Somehow it’s the end of February - which has both felt like the longest and fastest month. Unlike January, where I was able to hold a more balanced life/work boundary, February went full force into the work side of that sea saw. But also unlike January, I’m taking the failure-risk level up a notch (or two). My brother-in-law and his now new wife got married at the end of the month and, as a part of me wanting to show up for them in the only way I really know how, YFK did all of their signage.
But this signage was different. It’s the first set of signage that incorporates raised, mixed-medium elements. And dang, did it really elevate the work we were already doing. Last year, we invested in a laser cutter and had begun playing with its capabilities, but this month, it was time to put it truly to the test (wedding signs were, after all, the reason we invested in the machine in the first place). Thankfully, because we had already been playing around in the “research and development” phase of using the machine, we knew what things to avoid, what things we thought we could at least attempt, and what things we could take on in confidence. And that was definitely helpful!
Lesson One: When it comes to new tools or machinery or software, give yourself time to play around with it before you use it client-facing so you at least have a better idea of how to be efficient/how to start (also, give yourself a longer runway than you think you’ll need - you’ll need it, you always need it)
Other than the laser cutting machine literal learning and the other projects in YFK’s pipeline, I didn’t really have the capacity to throw myself into other creative ventures. I did keep up with new recipes, though. I tried making my first tart (pictured left), which tasted really good, but the crust consistency was definitely questionable. Let’s just say I made more of a short bread-style crust than a flakey pastry. I also tried making vegan “New York” style cookies, a new Asian noodle dish, and a quinoa and broccoli dinner. The cookies were so delicious that I made them a second time (where I mixed melted vegan chocolate and peanut butter together and froze to put in the center of the cookie dough as it baked - it was as tasty as it sounds). And the two dinners are definitely getting added to the “so good, it needs to get made again” pile. My husband and I are suckers for broccoli and anything with a noodle so we were the happiest of campers.
Did I learn any major lessons through this month’s cooking adventures, not really. But I do think I’m recognizing how meditative cooking is for me. The chopping, the sautéing, the blending, the spicing - all combined with other practices that bring you back to your senses like smell and taste. It grounds me. It gets me out of my head and back into my body (sometimes, I even listen to a podcast and fully zone out). And I think more than anything, I want to cultivate and find more of these practices. More things that get me out of my head and be able to do them regularly and sustainably. And maybe that’s actually the biggest lesson I’m learning this month as I’m on my never-ending quest for life/work balance. I’m leaning into cooking and using it as a safe space to fail; I know dancing and moving my body always makes me feel better; I’m learning I really like trying other art mediums just because it’s fun. If I can find ways to carve time each week to do these things, similarly to how I’m trying to cook two new recipes a week, I might be able to find longevity in that balance (because damn if the rest of the year feels like this month, there’s gonna be some burn outtttttt).
Lesson Two: find the practices that help you come back to your center, then see how you can regularly and sustainably add them to your life. Maybe life/work balance isn’t about finding the right routine but rather both knowing what those things are, giving yourself access to them, and carving time for those things routinely.
Let’s see, what else? I got back the pottery piece from the ceramics painting class I tried. It looks great, and it’s now on my desk housing a cute pink leafy plant (I think it’s a Pink Chinese Evergreen). I definitely want to go back and try throwing actual clay - hopefully in April I’ll find some time. I also tried tie-dying for the first time for one of my competitive dance pieces. I wanted them to have pastel tie-dye socks, and since I couldn’t find any I liked online, I figured we could make them as a fun bonding activity. They turned out pretty well, but I definitely messed up when I rinse/washed them for the first time. The first pairs of socks completely lost all of their dye - thank God we had extra and I could re-dye them!
Lesson Three: Try the things because they can actually turn out alright!
With how quickly the month went, I’m hoping March doesn’t go by quite as fast. But until then, please remember to give yourself permission to play. Give yourself permission to take rests. Give yourself permission to try again. Give yourself permission to be a human being.
I’ll be right here, failing forward as one, right beside you <3
Love always,
