I like to run. It’s the one form of exercise that I consistently return to after falling off the taking-care-of-my-health wagon for the umpteenth time. I do not run fast. I do not take part in races (anymore) and my maximum distance is 15km. But I do really like to run. A couple of days ago, as I was plodding along in kilometre six of a ten kilometre trail, it suddenly occurred to me that running is a lot like writing or making art.
In five hundred years, when future humans look back at our period of history, what will be left to show of what our daily lives are like?
In today’s digital world, being creative in any form can lead you down a rabbit hole of possibilities when it comes to trying to get your work in front of an audience. With artists like Austin Kleon telling us to ‘Show Your Work!’ and other successful creative types banging on about the importance of getting your stuff out there, regardless of whether or not it’s ‘perfect’ in your eyes it’s hard to know where to start? And how much do you need to show? And which tools do you use to do it? And what is it going to cost?
Last Friday I received an invitation from a friend in my weekly art group to join in Emma Carlisle’s 3rd Patreon birthday bash. This was a lovely suprise! I’ve followed Emma Carlisle for a while because I love her illustrative style and the way she presents her process. So, on Friday evening I sat at my desk, my Zoom app open and ready to go, and my trusty drawing kit close at hand. It’s been a while since I’ve done any sketching, so I was looking forward to seeing what we would do.
Things are afoot in the manse. Mother has been keeping odd hours and rearranging the furniture. Strangers come and go at odd times of the day, and a four-legged fiend haunts my dreams… what does it all mean?
Productivity gurus are right about one thing: systems do help. Making small adjustments over time does lead to the better results when it comes to making positive changes in your life (thank you James Clear and your Atomic Habits). However, systems are only as good as your willingness to follow them.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the word reset. Reset buttons are quite wonderful. When one has royally stuffed up, or something isn’t working properly, you can simply hit the button and start over with a clean slate. Of course, the downside is that some things can get lost.