A gentle close to the week
7 things that made life better and brighter / Issue 1,401
Oh, hi friends!
How's everyone? How are you?
I'll admit to being at once unfocused and overwhelmed lately, a little short on words in this space. But still, you know, trying. When the work feels a little baggy and shapeless, I reach for my usual tricks.
There are the practical tasks: Make a list of new possible actions. Create time estimates and set timers.
There are the adjacent tasks: Help other people with their work. Share advice and ideas and dreams. Go to Trader Joe's.
But apart from the grit and hand wringing and procrastination, I think there's something to be said for…doing nothing.
There are the doing nothing tasks: Reading, stretching, getting away, listening to your favorite playlist from a decade ago.
Because the real trick is the doing nothing tasks aren't nothing. In fact, they're everything.
The muse always returns.
Especially if you gently close the pages of this week, grateful for the one to come.
7 Things That Made Life Brighter & Better This Week
Take time for yourself alert: My inspiring friend Aransas, who you remember from our podcast episode and many mentions in this newsletter, is holding a one-day creative retreat called Uplifters Live! in New York on May 17 — I’m so looking forward to this dedicated time to discuss everything from boosting our physical and mental energy to maintaining motivation and much more. (Um, I need it.) I’d love to see you there so we can set some big intentions together. Tickets are available on Eventbrite. Use my discount code KARA for 33% off of the ticket price!
Making choices. I reread this article by Nicole Zhu three times: “There is no amount of adjacent productivity that is a substitute for doing the work. Carolyn summed up my realization more eloquently than I ever could: ‘the most threatening distractions sit adjacent to what we most desire.’”
Hirayama feels content with his life as a toilet cleaner in Tokyo. Outside of his structured routine, he cherishes music on cassette tapes, reads books and takes photos. Through unexpected encounters, he reflects on finding beauty in the world. This is a description of Perfect Days, a new film by Wim Wenders, which I loved very much. I saw it in theaters, but it’s also on Apple TV.
Very intrigued by the launch of Authors Equity, a new publisher that pays authors on books sold, rather than with an advance.
Did a bit of thinking this week about the writing routines of Charles Dickens: “I never could have done what I have done without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence.” I hear ya, Charles, but have you ever tried doing nothing?! Jk. I did love this, too: He eldest son recounted, “no city clerk was ever more methodical or orderly than he; no humdrum, monotonous, conventional task could ever have been discharged with more punctuality or with more business-like regularity than he gave to the work of his imagination and fancy.”
The theater company The Civilians is hiring an editor for their online magazine and platform!
I used Claude.ai at least twice a day every day this week, for everything from sprucing up my bio to giving feedback on works in progress. My favorite coworker.
What made your life easier, brighter, better this week? I’d love to know!
Have a great weekend, friends.
Unfocused and overwhelmed. Yes. I understand this one all too well. Since I more frequently live in the realm of focused and AOK, when I get to that place, it never feels good. Like you, I engage in the "practical tasks" to encourage a shift- list making, timer using, deadline setting, etc. However, those don't always work. Sometimes we need more.
Then you suggested engaging in the trick of "doing nothing." Other than listening to music, your other suggestions are things I do. But for me, I don't exactly consider them doing nothing. To me, they live in the 'self-care' bucket. So when I'm overwhelmed, stressed, and can't focus, I will often step away and shower myself with nourishing things to settle and calm my system. That includes getting fresh air, walking by the river or in the woods, meditating, journaling, making a cup of tea, talking with a friend, running an errand, or giving myself a free pass to step away and try again another day. They aren't exactly doing nothing, but they do help me shift gears and rebalance my soul.