The things you can’t stop thinking about
Oh, hi friends!
You’re probably avoiding doing something.
But are you avoiding it because you don’t really want to do it? Or because it’s uncharted territory and you’re scared?
It’s hard to tell.
Here are two examples.
When I hesitated signing up for my lyrics writing class, my inner monologue went something like this…Who do I think I am? How will I find the time? Shouldn’t I spend that money on something else?
So I kept putting it off.
And yet…I kept thinking about it. It itched my brain.
Maybe that’s one sign. The ideas that keep itching your brain, long after they should. Maybe those are the ones you need to bring to life.
After I finally clicked “sign up,” I felt a sense of relief. Of rightness. Oh, I thought to myself. I *do* want this.
Here’s the other side of the coin. A few months ago, I was debating taking a longterm gig. I debated so much I put off responding to the recruiter’s email. Was I scared? Or did I really not want it?
I finally decided and sent my “thanks, but this isn’t for me right now but here’s someone amazing you should talk to instead!!!” email. (Always suggest someone if you know they’d be a good fit. Always!)
After writing that note, I felt a sense of relief. Of rightness. Oh, I thought. I definitely *didn’t* want this.
Indecision purgatory can’t teach you any lessons. The only true way to find out what you want is by trying—clicking “buy” or sending the email or whatever you need to do—and seeing how that makes you feel.
Oh, you might say. Now this all makes sense.
“For me, there’s actually a certain amount of sadness involved in completing something, because you know that the possibility has gone and it is what it is and you have to accept that.
I think the healthiest way to think about that is to just recognize that creative work isn’t just one thing. It’s the whole sequence of things that you do, and whatever sadness comes with completion or recognition that this will only ever be what it is now helps inform what you’re going to do next.”
From an interview with painter and sculptor Benjamin Kress on The Creative Independent.
I usually get bummed when something is over. (And then immediately and psychotically forget it ever happened!) But I like this idea of considering each project as part of a larger sequence. WE’RE MAKING A CREATIVE GENOME!
The trailer for Kidding, the new Michel Gondry Showtime series starring Jim Carrey, is the best two minutes I’ve watched in weeks.
PS — How to Actually Get Stuff Done, Every Day of the Week
My latest for The Bridge: Circuit training, thinking about your death, one simple question, and more of my best time-management tricks.
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Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara