Emotions like excitement and anxiety both naturally involve your body getting ready and anticipating something big. there is a physical intensity that becomes part of it all, that i also often find unhelpful. i have an amazing friend who i can message when i am feeling a bit overwhelmed by lots of things going on, needing to make a decision, or procrastinating taking a risk and he will always lovingly remind me that everything is pointless as we all just die anyway. This has never failed to completely take the angst and pressure out of how i am feeling and ill suddenly find myself just doing the things.
A dear friend (and former colleague) always reminds me of the time she was spiraling at work and I told her “we’re not saving lives here”. She says it’s her mantra whenever work gets to be too much. Now if only I would take my own advice 🫣
Years ago I was working on a knitting project when I realised that, some days previously, I'd fucked up something and the only way to proceed was to remove the needles and unravel to the fuck-up point. Knitters will understand the rage. When I'd calmed down - after directing said rage at my hapless husband who chose a poor moment to talk to me - I had a thought: "It's just wool on two sticks".
And I apply this to pretty much everything now. It's like reducing your problem to its guts takes some of the power away. Not that it helps get more done, but it helps when you're pissed off or feeling shamed about something not going right.
I have been psyching myself up to write a screenplay for MONTHS now. I kid you not, months. Have I written a single word? Absolutely not. The more I think about it the more anxious I get and I just end up doomsday scrolling on instagram. It feels like this insurmountable task which I know is ridiculous. All I need to do is actually sit down and write the first sentence
Many thoughts so apologies in advance for the length!
1. Ironically (?) I have been putting off reading any posted newsletters from a lot of people I love reading because I was convinced I wasn’t in the right focused state to appreciate them. I have discovered that Substack app can just (robotically) read them for me so I’m making that my bridge for the moment.
2. I’m sure there’s a term for it out there on the internet or a text book, but there is something about being externally motivated that makes me want to run away. All those quotes, those inspiring pep talks, being a “boss” etc etc, if anything make me want to do the exact opposite. Get up early and maximise my 5-9 before my 9-5? Absolutely not, I’m going to lay in bed EVEN HARDER.
3. I am however still consistently (save for 2 weeks over in NZ) getting up at 5:30 and going to the gym with my sister. Why?Because she’s annoying and rings my phone until I get up and get her. Not sure what piece of life-coach wisdom I could sell that as 😂
4. Never worry about whether your content is interesting, or if others care as much as you do. I personally am obsessed with road sign design and laws, as well as number plates. It started when I was doing a brand for a traffic control company and my obsession with it never left me. The thing I enjoy the most is people talking about things they’re interested in passionately!
Excellent. I've battled the demonic voices in my head and been determined to ignore them when faced w challenges. The tougher I get the louder 'they' get! NOW - giving them the finger in the form of 'meh. f. u.' I find works. Relax. Give your best. Whatever the outcome every challenging occassion is really an opportunity.
If you could share some tips on how to get out of bed when the alarm goes off that would be great!
I've tried the sunrise light, which actually worked pretty well I should put that back on again. It slowly lights up the room mimicking the sun rising, and changes from warm yellow to a cold bright light.
Putting your phone away from your bed is just cruel to your morning self, I can't do that to poor morning me.
Counting from 5 to 1 absolutely doesn't work for me.
My usual morning wake up routine : snooze the alarm, snooze again, turn off and decide to get up. Wake up 30 minutes to an hour later, realise I've got a meeting in 10 minutes and then roll out of bed....
Great advise, I'm going to try this out. Spent a good deal of my life motivating myself via anxiety, and it's no longer working for me... So maybe "Meh" is where it's at.
The life-altering magic of "meh"
Emotions like excitement and anxiety both naturally involve your body getting ready and anticipating something big. there is a physical intensity that becomes part of it all, that i also often find unhelpful. i have an amazing friend who i can message when i am feeling a bit overwhelmed by lots of things going on, needing to make a decision, or procrastinating taking a risk and he will always lovingly remind me that everything is pointless as we all just die anyway. This has never failed to completely take the angst and pressure out of how i am feeling and ill suddenly find myself just doing the things.
We all need more meh
hope the art is going well
A dear friend (and former colleague) always reminds me of the time she was spiraling at work and I told her “we’re not saving lives here”. She says it’s her mantra whenever work gets to be too much. Now if only I would take my own advice 🫣
Years ago I was working on a knitting project when I realised that, some days previously, I'd fucked up something and the only way to proceed was to remove the needles and unravel to the fuck-up point. Knitters will understand the rage. When I'd calmed down - after directing said rage at my hapless husband who chose a poor moment to talk to me - I had a thought: "It's just wool on two sticks".
And I apply this to pretty much everything now. It's like reducing your problem to its guts takes some of the power away. Not that it helps get more done, but it helps when you're pissed off or feeling shamed about something not going right.
I have been psyching myself up to write a screenplay for MONTHS now. I kid you not, months. Have I written a single word? Absolutely not. The more I think about it the more anxious I get and I just end up doomsday scrolling on instagram. It feels like this insurmountable task which I know is ridiculous. All I need to do is actually sit down and write the first sentence
This reminds me of what someone said to me once about getting good at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - “Just keep turning up to classes”.
On banal insights, if it makes you feel better, Yuval Hariri was asked this question about banal conclusions:
“When you’re working in a mode that involves making broad conclusions about humanity, is it hard to determine whether those conclusions are banal?
Well, I discovered this: The more banal they are, the more impressed people are.”
So you’re in good company!
(The quote is from NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/11/08/magazine/yuval-noah-harari-interview.html)
Many thoughts so apologies in advance for the length!
1. Ironically (?) I have been putting off reading any posted newsletters from a lot of people I love reading because I was convinced I wasn’t in the right focused state to appreciate them. I have discovered that Substack app can just (robotically) read them for me so I’m making that my bridge for the moment.
2. I’m sure there’s a term for it out there on the internet or a text book, but there is something about being externally motivated that makes me want to run away. All those quotes, those inspiring pep talks, being a “boss” etc etc, if anything make me want to do the exact opposite. Get up early and maximise my 5-9 before my 9-5? Absolutely not, I’m going to lay in bed EVEN HARDER.
3. I am however still consistently (save for 2 weeks over in NZ) getting up at 5:30 and going to the gym with my sister. Why?Because she’s annoying and rings my phone until I get up and get her. Not sure what piece of life-coach wisdom I could sell that as 😂
4. Never worry about whether your content is interesting, or if others care as much as you do. I personally am obsessed with road sign design and laws, as well as number plates. It started when I was doing a brand for a traffic control company and my obsession with it never left me. The thing I enjoy the most is people talking about things they’re interested in passionately!
Meh-lennial
Excellent. I've battled the demonic voices in my head and been determined to ignore them when faced w challenges. The tougher I get the louder 'they' get! NOW - giving them the finger in the form of 'meh. f. u.' I find works. Relax. Give your best. Whatever the outcome every challenging occassion is really an opportunity.
Ah, the sound of one hand clapping. Classic.
Wait, so are we saying Garfield was effectively self help? I feel like he was the OG “Meh” proponent.
If you could share some tips on how to get out of bed when the alarm goes off that would be great!
I've tried the sunrise light, which actually worked pretty well I should put that back on again. It slowly lights up the room mimicking the sun rising, and changes from warm yellow to a cold bright light.
Putting your phone away from your bed is just cruel to your morning self, I can't do that to poor morning me.
Counting from 5 to 1 absolutely doesn't work for me.
My usual morning wake up routine : snooze the alarm, snooze again, turn off and decide to get up. Wake up 30 minutes to an hour later, realise I've got a meeting in 10 minutes and then roll out of bed....
Great advise, I'm going to try this out. Spent a good deal of my life motivating myself via anxiety, and it's no longer working for me... So maybe "Meh" is where it's at.