This is going to be my last blog post of 2020.

It's no surprise that this year has been challenging in so may ways, and one of the consequences of covid-19 related isolation is that I've become very dependant on the digital world. Now there's nothing wrong with being online, and this year its been a god-send. Its kept me connected with the world, its enabled me to carry on selling my paintings despite most of the exhibitions and events being cancelled, and it's enabled me to buy things I need (and sometimes don't need) safely.

But, as many others will agree, those little electronic devices are oh so enticing and addictive. And once I start, thats it... two hours later and I've not done anything particularly productive.

So I decided to have a proper break this Christmas and have a digital detox. So that's no mindless googling, no social media and no online shopping (although if I get those Jacksons Art Supplies gift vouchers I've asked for on Christmas day I might make an exception...).

Instead I'm going to spend time with my family, walking my dogs, eating, drinking bourbon, reading, watching lots of TV (currently re-watching Whitechapel on Netflix - excellent!) and journaling (which, like I said in a previous blog post has been one of my saving graces of 2020).

I"m aware that I have (through journaling) discovered that I have an unhealthy relationship with the online world, not just the time I spend on it. Comparison, inferiority, doubt, envy and a myriad of other insecurities rear their ugly heads more frequently than I want to admit, so I;m hoping that a complete digital break from the online world will be beneficial for my mental health, and I;m keen to create boundaries around this in the new year, so I don't end up back to where I was.

I'm hoping to enter the new year of 2020 fully refreshed and brimming with optimism and creativity.

So I hereby wish you a lovely festive break, and will catch up again in January 2021. Lets hope its a better year for all of us.
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