new things
After 5+ years of being a stay-at-home mum, I decided not just to go back to what I knew how to do (I had been a costume and set designer in film and performative arts in Athens and London), but to take steps further and anew, and try to discover this whole new world of working within the time and financial limitations someone like me would have.
I saw no point in going back; there was no going back in time. My time was new, and my daily life was completely flipped on its head. My priorities changed, and my time-of-day had new definitions.
So, I decided to start up my own endeavor or business, I suppose: “koukkides.costume” was born. I loved working with little ones in workshops and making costumes, designing, and sewing in my own time. Through extensive parenting books and research into my own role as a parent, I discovered how fruitful imaginative play is for children’s minds and development. How great! Something I love doing can help kids' imagination and creativity grow!
Taking time to discover what this new venture would be was always a challenge in itself. Time seemed to stand still and move forward faster than the speed of light at the same time. Time was and has been a topic of many internal conversations and endless organizing methods.
Not regretting, not reminiscing, and not missing, I felt excited about the new. I love my two new creations more than anything, yet in time I felt that shifting focus away from this lifetime “project” for some time of the day was actually beneficial to myself as a person, a parent, and a carer.
I realized I could move away from all the social standards that were suggested I should follow and try to do it my way. Thoughts of worry and mortality came rushing in more than ever before. This very real and unprecedented experience that most parents seem to share, I used as fuel to go ahead and try, see what happens!
So I moved the little ones together and used one of the rooms as my workshop. I overcame my introversion and forgotten social skills and started putting myself out there. I constantly annoyed my partner with questions on how to do this online and how to do that in a new business, as he had advice to share.
What’s the worst thing that could happen from doing what you love and know how to do?
What’s the worst thing that could come from working really hard day in and day out and learning more about something so awesomely fun and challenging?
Fatigue? Stress? Maybe an annoyed spouse?
Yep, well, that’s another blog post, one of the millions out there encouraging self-care…you don’t need one of those from me too, right?
