When you fail to do the big things
Oh, hi friends!
My playwriting class is tomorrow night. I’m supposed to bring in 30 pages to share with everyone. How many have I written (as of Monday)? Zero.
Why is that? Why is that? Since the last class two weeks ago, I found time to write nine newsletters, seven freelance articles, and spent another seven hours on editing gigs, not to mention a few days in the office. I even spent two hours deep-cleaning my closet.
Maybe I don’t want it enough. Maybe I think it’s not important enough. Maybe I’m scared of failure. Maybe I’m scared of success. Maybe it’s easier to do your work when you’re getting paid. Or when you have people relying on you. Maybe day-to-day obligations are tricksters, sent to seduce you off the path leading up to your mountain.
I don’t know the answer. I suspect it’s a handsome mess of all those things.
But I do know that when you hear the voice that tells you to do something, it’s speaking for a reason. I care too much to do nothing. How about you?
“Whether it’s a 1,200 word piece or a 70,000 word book, the process is exactly the same. There is a lot of distraction and inability to concentrate at the beginning, and then gradually I become more and more involved in it, until I reach a certain point when I’m really into it.”
Do you feel this way? Isn't this true (at least sometimes?) You can avoid and avoid and then, eventually, hopefully, become immersed. I really enjoyed this interview with writer Geoff Dyer.
That's pasta. PASTA!!! So amazed by the Instagram @saltyseattle — she makes “plant-dyed pasta art”! Good reminder that creativity can be expressed in innumerable, sometimes edible, ways. Credit goes to Jenn Haltman for introducing me to these colorful delicious flour + egg masterpieces.
PS — Do you want to know why you're more excited to tackle long-term goals during the beginning of the month—or beginning of the week? It's all because of the clean slate mindset. I wrote about how to tap into it and get a fresh start at any time for Shine. EVEN WORKS ON A TUESDAY!!!
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Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara