While the title here may indeed sound like an Onion article, I assure this is an actual first-world problem I'm experiencing and attempting to put into coherent words.
tldr; I (nor anyone for that matter) is actually too busy to do the things they love doing outside of work and I need to shut the F up and just do them.
But I digress:
Are you ever full of inspiration to work on fun creative side projects but have no effing clue where to begin? Or how to act on all of these personal goals that are chaotically mulling about your brain like a school of blind fish?
tldr; I (nor anyone for that matter) is actually too busy to do the things they love doing outside of work and I need to shut the F up and just do them.
But I digress:
Are you ever full of inspiration to work on fun creative side projects but have no effing clue where to begin? Or how to act on all of these personal goals that are chaotically mulling about your brain like a school of blind fish?
Lately I've had an enormous amount of creative energy bubbling up inside my chest. I must admit it feels rather heart-attacky which is worrisome. But I assure myself it is a totally non life-threatening combination of stress, energy and excitement. And of course, to burst this anxious bubble, I concoct big plans to do so many creative things as soon as I get home from work.
But then I get home. And guess what? I don't do all of the things. In fact, sometimes I do none of the things.
Just a sneak peek inside "ALL THE THINGS" I want to do in my brain:
Write new songs. Record those songs. Write my first rap. Accompany rap with ukulele. Write more blog posts. Draw lots of shit on my Paper iPad app. Paint shit on a real canvas. Figure out how to more effectively promote my music. Find a band to join. Learn how to play piano. Draw. Write. Paint. Sing. Dance. Create.
But then I get home. And guess what? I don't do all of the things. In fact, sometimes I do none of the things.
Just a sneak peek inside "ALL THE THINGS" I want to do in my brain:
Write new songs. Record those songs. Write my first rap. Accompany rap with ukulele. Write more blog posts. Draw lots of shit on my Paper iPad app. Paint shit on a real canvas. Figure out how to more effectively promote my music. Find a band to join. Learn how to play piano. Draw. Write. Paint. Sing. Dance. Create.
After a long day of work, it's tough to find the motivation to accomplish even one of these tasks. But why? Am I just lazy? Unfocused? Should I be prescribed Adderall or something similar for adult ADD?
When in my life will I EVER have time to do these things if I can't now, when I am the most "free" I'll likely ever be: single and childless and free of the grueling demands of family life?? (Wow, I made that sound like an awful thing, I honestly look forward to having a family of my own someday but holy shit not now.)
If I simply *can't* find two hours in my day to write a new song now, will I ever?
I swear, I had no intention of making this post about the utter ephemerality of life. But it's something I do think about often (and fun fact: is a recurring theme in my song lyrics). Life is short, make each day count, bla bla.
But you know what? That's hard. It's tough because we're so goddamn busy. Or at least we tell ourselves we are, and thus we feel too busy and stressed. (Side note: fantastic article on how "I'm busy" is an overused, bullshit statement that we need to all stop saying. Of course you're fucking busy. Shutup.) But honestly, it does feel difficult to motivate yourself to do the things you love doing, just for the sake of doing them. Particularly when it's just for you (drawing a picture no one will really see)-- the point of it is a bit... blurred.
BUT: I know for a fact that it is not pointless. These are part of the "small things" in life that make me happy, even if they are just for me to enjoy. Plus they build character and ultimately could be directed down other avenues in the future. Beyond that, perhaps you're just not realizing that these things are in fact being noticed by others. Bonus life points.
To sum up my rambling, I've created an actionable plan for myself that you, if ever in a similar boat, can try to implement yourself. It's easy, only 3 steps, and in no time will have you doing the side-project shit you want to do.
1. Determine one non-work related, creative project "thing" you want accomplish each week
2. Remove bullshit thoughts from brain including: "I'm too busy," "what's the point," "I'd rather just drink beer with friends"**
3. FUCKING. DO. IT. Pick up a paint brush and swipe a fucking blob on a piece of paper. It may look like shit but it's a start. Type the first words that come to mind -- however strange and unrelated they are to your desired project. To quote Regina Spektor in the opening song from Orange is the New Black: "Taking steps is easy / standing still is hard." Take the first step and the rest will follow.
**Nevermind, just drinking beer with friends is always a viable excuse. Surrounding myself with good people typically makes me happier than any solo creative activity. ENFJ probs.
So, I vow to try harder with this 3-step plan, but I've got a bit of work to do, because the last time I was overwhelmed with these lofty side project plans...
I went shopping.
When in my life will I EVER have time to do these things if I can't now, when I am the most "free" I'll likely ever be: single and childless and free of the grueling demands of family life?? (Wow, I made that sound like an awful thing, I honestly look forward to having a family of my own someday but holy shit not now.)
If I simply *can't* find two hours in my day to write a new song now, will I ever?
I swear, I had no intention of making this post about the utter ephemerality of life. But it's something I do think about often (and fun fact: is a recurring theme in my song lyrics). Life is short, make each day count, bla bla.
But you know what? That's hard. It's tough because we're so goddamn busy. Or at least we tell ourselves we are, and thus we feel too busy and stressed. (Side note: fantastic article on how "I'm busy" is an overused, bullshit statement that we need to all stop saying. Of course you're fucking busy. Shutup.) But honestly, it does feel difficult to motivate yourself to do the things you love doing, just for the sake of doing them. Particularly when it's just for you (drawing a picture no one will really see)-- the point of it is a bit... blurred.
BUT: I know for a fact that it is not pointless. These are part of the "small things" in life that make me happy, even if they are just for me to enjoy. Plus they build character and ultimately could be directed down other avenues in the future. Beyond that, perhaps you're just not realizing that these things are in fact being noticed by others. Bonus life points.
To sum up my rambling, I've created an actionable plan for myself that you, if ever in a similar boat, can try to implement yourself. It's easy, only 3 steps, and in no time will have you doing the side-project shit you want to do.
1. Determine one non-work related, creative project "thing" you want accomplish each week
2. Remove bullshit thoughts from brain including: "I'm too busy," "what's the point," "I'd rather just drink beer with friends"**
3. FUCKING. DO. IT. Pick up a paint brush and swipe a fucking blob on a piece of paper. It may look like shit but it's a start. Type the first words that come to mind -- however strange and unrelated they are to your desired project. To quote Regina Spektor in the opening song from Orange is the New Black: "Taking steps is easy / standing still is hard." Take the first step and the rest will follow.
**Nevermind, just drinking beer with friends is always a viable excuse. Surrounding myself with good people typically makes me happier than any solo creative activity. ENFJ probs.
So, I vow to try harder with this 3-step plan, but I've got a bit of work to do, because the last time I was overwhelmed with these lofty side project plans...
I went shopping.
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