If I go to bed at night, knowing I have used my imagination, then I know I have spent my day wisely – Tif Fussell
I will freely admit that there is a steep learning curve for me in hosting this podcast series. Example A: listening back to my conversation with the luminous Tif Fussell all I wanted was a muffler over my mouth so that we could all sit back and enjoy Tif’s wise, funny and tender reflections on life and the ways we grow from running a creative business.
In this recording, if you can get past my ramblings in the early bits — you will get to hear such thoughtful and deeply earned wisdom from one of the most surpremely original, talented artists I have ever had the pleasure to meet: Tif Fussell.
Last year, Tif closed her beloved blog Dottie Angel and began an inward journey of healing that is tied directly to her extraordinary creativity and self-expression.
“I didn’t realize I was burnt out until I was truly burnt out,” says Tif, “I realized that my priority had to be myself. Very hard for mothers– to come to grips with. It didn’t even occur to me that I should be looking inwards and looking after myself.”
Join us now for this deep conversation about burnout, reawakening, new beginnings and letting go of attachments, and how the power of creativity is what can save us every time.
There is also quite a bit of reflection on boots — these beauties of Tif’s below — but also about the power of boots and what it means when we finally have to let them go.
“From a really young age, I had something inside of me that had to get out — something creative — but couldn’t express it, I didn’t know what it was. I had this feeling someday it will be seen. I have this need to put this out there.”
Above is a darling video Tif made of the hand-stitched heart medals she will be teaching in her Saturday workshop next September at the Fall session of Squam.
ALL photos here are courtesy of TIF FUSSELL
Because we also talk about how mindfulness and meditation brings such deep ease and comfort, Tif has shared below some of her favorite poems, quotes and books.
POEMS:
Thinking by Walter Wintle (helped me greatly as motivation in the early days of recovering my health)
Clearing by Martha Postlewaite (this poem really speaks to me where I am on my journey these days with my mind, body and spirit)
QUOTES:
- When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be – Lao Tzu
- You stand in your own light, make it shine
(found in a fortune cookie just when I needed a sign from the universe) - Like wildflowers you must allow yourself to grow
in all the places people thought you never would – E.V. - Happiness is a form of courage – George Holbrook Jackson
- If I go to bed at night, knowing I have used my imagination,
then I know I have spent my day wisely – Tif Fussell
BOOKS:
The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak (fiction)
Miraculous Silence by Mitra Rahbar
You Are Here by Thich Nhat Hanh
No Mud, No Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh
Outrageous Openness by Tosha Silver
Help Thanks Wow by Anne Lamott
