And… we’re back!

Written By JEN SCHULTES
 

Today marks Day One of my new “job”: building a thriving, fulfilling, sustainable, and location-independent art practice. The time in the mountains was deeply restorative—honestly, I needed every minute.

A Quick Wrap-Up

Looking back, I have to remind myself: given where I was mentally and physically on June 1, I’ve actually made real progress. Most of what I learned came from doing things the long, messy way, over and over. I visited art fairs, chatted with artists, updated my Etsy, tinkered with my website, and, most importantly, made a ton of drawings.

I’m still working on letting “done is better than perfect” win out over perfectionism. The art-business to-do list is full of side quests and sand traps, and every project seems to spawn three more. I know things will get smoother with time, but for now, I’m embracing the process—even when it’s bumpy.

This week, I’m focusing on batch-producing social posts and reels, and scanning in sketchbooks and drawings. Progress, not perfection.

Stomach (No) Ache

After years of near-constant GI issues—endless tests, diets, and dead ends—the stomach pain has mostly vanished. It turns out, I was storing a mountain of frustration (and a hefty dose of workplace stress) in my gut. Sigh. Eating mostly “Low FODMAP” seems to help, but honestly, I think leaving behind the old stress was the real medicine.

Three days into my travels, as I watched striped rocks roll by, I realized: I actually feel okay. More than okay, I feel good. For the first time in ages. Hot damn!

Sleep Update

Sleep is still a work in progress, but it’s improving. My “sleep debt” was 22 hours when I left in June; now it’s down to 8. For a few glorious days, I got it down to 2 or 3, and wow—what a difference. No more clenching my stomach, no more brain fog. Camping under the stars helped reset my clock in a way nothing else has.

Latest Reads

The retreat library was a mixed bag (and yes, I rolled my eyes at myself for downloading “How to Be Single and Happy” by Jennifer Taitz—turns out, it’s actually smart and genuinely helpful). “How to Be an Adult in Relationships” by David Richo was wise and soothing, too.

I’m still working through both books, and some of that work might show up here. Maybe it already has—this post feels more personal than usual, but I’m less hesitant to share.

Also read:

  • Isola (Allegra Goodman) - ★★★★★

  • Hope for Cynics (Jamil Zaki) - ★★(I couldn’t help but talk back to the author’s optimism.)

  • Manhunt (Gretchen Felker-Martin) - ★★ (Probably a “me” problem—kept mixing up the characters, but loved the concept.)

  • In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts (Gabor Maté) - ★★★★★

  • Severance (Ling Ma) - ★★★★

  • Blood in the Machine (Brian Merchant) - ★★★★★

  • Careless People (Sarah Wynn-Williams) - ★★★

  • The Girl With All the Gifts (M.R. Carey) - ★★★

  • Vagina Obscura(Rachel E. Gross) - ★★★★★

  • Mina’s Matchbox (Yoko Ogawa) - ★★★★★

Here’s to progress, gentle self-compassion, and making art that matters—even (especially) when the path is winding.

JEN SCHULTES

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PETROGLYPHS AND ROCK ART