I just stumbled upon this post thanks to my friend Meg. I needed to see it. I'm in that trough of despair right now. You know, the one you step into right after you step off the hamster wheel of all the things you're busy doing to make your life, your dream real. I'm always struggling to find a place beyond these extreme mental olympics. The steady place, when I do find it is just the work. Just doing the work I love whether anyone finds it or not. Thanks for posting this lovely and timely little piece, Kara.
Oh Ben, I completely understand! It's such a balance. There's the stress-and-rest merry-go-round, or the trough, or the extreme high. One thing I've discovered is how often those vacillations are tied to other people or expectations — the trough is usually caused by an external factor (usually a rejection or silence), but the same goes for the extreme high (yay, a success!).
And yet, and yet. The slow, unseen diligent work is usually what brings me peace? Sometimes that's not enough (what's writing without the rejection or the success?) but most often, it actually is enough. And I think I just realized that right now.
So...long way of saying...thank you. I hope today brought you more of the work you love, done in the way you love it.
I just stumbled upon this post thanks to my friend Meg. I needed to see it. I'm in that trough of despair right now. You know, the one you step into right after you step off the hamster wheel of all the things you're busy doing to make your life, your dream real. I'm always struggling to find a place beyond these extreme mental olympics. The steady place, when I do find it is just the work. Just doing the work I love whether anyone finds it or not. Thanks for posting this lovely and timely little piece, Kara.
Oh Ben, I completely understand! It's such a balance. There's the stress-and-rest merry-go-round, or the trough, or the extreme high. One thing I've discovered is how often those vacillations are tied to other people or expectations — the trough is usually caused by an external factor (usually a rejection or silence), but the same goes for the extreme high (yay, a success!).
And yet, and yet. The slow, unseen diligent work is usually what brings me peace? Sometimes that's not enough (what's writing without the rejection or the success?) but most often, it actually is enough. And I think I just realized that right now.
So...long way of saying...thank you. I hope today brought you more of the work you love, done in the way you love it.
Well, maybe you'll win a Nobel and a couple of Pulitzers, too!
That’s the plan! Plus the Tony.
No Oscar? (I know...one thing at a time!)
Pulitzer, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Obie, Outer Critics Circle, Tony, MacArthur Genius, NYT bestseller -- why not all of 'em?
But first, you're right, one thing at a time.
Why not, indeed!
You slay me, Kara--as you do many other readers, too...
hahah, thank you Doug! I try my best!!
Kara, have you been reading a William Faulkner novel this past weekend?
(I do love your choose-one-thing suggestion!)
lol I haven't read Faulkner since my English major days! Maybe I absorbed it and it's all coming out now?
that list of things to do (and do and do) feels like the soundtrack of my mind ~ thanks for reminding me i only need pick one. just for today
So many projects and so many threads. We can pick up many -- they don't seem to be that heavy -- but don't always *have* to, you know?
Needed that second part today! Thank you!! I appreciate you!
xMarsha
Thank you for understanding my stream-of-consciousness, Marsha!!
Thank you for the Nudge! It's great to we aren't alone.
We never are. Always here for a nudge!