A Scribe’s Wellbeing: Nurturing Our Craft & Ourselves!

Hey there, fellow SCA scribes!

As talented artisans and dedicated volunteers in the Society for Creative Anachronism, we know just how fulfilling it is to create beautiful scrolls that honor our esteemed members. But let’s have an honest chat about something essential: knowing our limits and recognizing when we might be heading toward burnout.

I bring this up because a teacher in Lonely Tower’s Scriptorium had to decline to teach or even attend one of our meetings. She felt so bad. But that’s what you have to do sometimes to make life work.

We all share a passion for our craft, and it’s natural to want to take on every exciting project that comes our way. Every scroll assignment, every local request, and attend SCA events. However, it’s crucial to balance our scroll-making endeavors and our personal responsibilities. After all, family, holidays, and other commitments require our attention and care.

Sometimes, we might find ourselves feeling drained, anxious, or irritable. These are all signs that we might be pushing ourselves too hard. Recognizing these warning signals is the first step towards pacing our efforts and preventing burnout.

It’s essential to understand that it’s okay to say “no” when we have enough on our plate. While the desire to help others and take on every request can be strong, we need to remember that we are volunteers. Saying “no” doesn’t mean we’re letting anyone down; it means we’re prioritizing our well-being and the quality of our work.

Remember, family always comes first. If you find yourself struggling to complete a scroll on time due to unforeseen circumstances or an overwhelming workload, don’t hesitate to communicate with your Royal Scribe assigner. Let them know about the snag you’ve hit and give them the time they need to finish what you’ve started.

We’re all in this together, and there’s no shame in asking for help or taking a step back when needed. Burnout can sneak up on anyone, so let’s support each other and guard against becoming overwhelmed. We want our creative journey in the SCA to be enjoyable, rewarding, and sustainable in the long run.

So, dear scribes, let’s continue to pour our passion into our craft while being mindful of our limits. By doing so, we can ensure that our contributions to the SCA are meaningful, and we remain a vibrant and thriving community of artisans. Keep on creating, take care of yourselves, and make the SCA a place where everyone’s talents shine bright!