I’ve had so many conversations with various people over the last few months about time…… well, about time and money – what’s more important?
The reason for the conversations is that finally….finally after months of deliberations, I’ve requested to cut my work hours . Not by a massive amount – just from 5 days to 4.
I’m tired, its as simple as that. This month, I haven’t had 2 days off together, but I’ve still managed to produce work for an exhibition, visit more outside exhibitions (Biennial – done most of it now, Mark Leckey at the Grundy in Blackpool and The Jam exhibition – at which I had a really interesting conversation with photographer Francesco Mellina, who talked about bands he worked with (inc the clash) needing motivating occasionally too during their day jobs ! ) keep the house and garden presentable (sort of) manage one of East Street Arts temporary spaces in Liverpool and see friends and family on my precious days off.
I can’t keep it up though.
As well as one major exhibition (Threshold, for which I made the house installation) there’s been a lot of small ones this year that I’ve been involved in. Some maybe haven’t been as good as others, but the important thing is, they’ve kept me going. Anyone who works full time, will know that it’s easy to give up any passion they may have as its simply just too draining to keep it going.
I feel like I’ve just been winging it and I’ve been lucky so far …. but ….
I know in the big scheme of things an extra day off isn’t huge, but it means that I can do more ‘meatier’ work that I can spend a couple of consecutive days on instead of just a few hours here and there. It also means that I won’t have to turn down so many meetings and events, as I’ll have more flexibility.
Money-wise….hmmm…I’m still not 100% sure how it will work out, but for me, choosing between time and money – Time wins.
