1. persistent, not consistent
reframing what's necessary for living a creative life
blog attempt #18, maybe
I wish I could tell you exactly how many times I’ve tried to develop a consistent habit or practice of writing and publishing and sharing. I can think of at least five blogs, and I’m sure there are more I’ve forgotten about. So what makes this time different?
I’m desperate.
And by desperate, I mean I’m standing at the edge of a canyon, still on solid ground, but my thighs are daring me to jump, my stomach is filling me with fear, and my heart is telling me that I belong on the other side of this huge, beautiful, scary chasm. There’s nothing wrong with the side of the canyon I’m on. It’s got vibrant plant life, fascinating wildlife, beautiful scenery, and shares the same cloud-painted sky with the other. I wonder, is this a case of the-grass-is-greener-on-the-other-side? I don’t think so. I see green grass and blue sky everywhere. This is a case of my breath is deeper, my eyes are wider with wonder, my life is fuller on the other side.
in other words,
I turned thirty-one this year and have run out of excuses for why I’m not pursuing a life full of creativity and art like I’ve always wanted. I used to think I failed to have a creative life or practice because I was inconsistent. Just like the numerous blogs I’ve started and didn’t continue, I’ve tried to devise so many systems to make myself create regularly. If I could just find the right way to organize my personal projects, or set up my environment in the most creativity conducive way, or figure out what punishments and what rewards really motivate me. No matter what, I was consistently inconsistent. And eventually, I would grow disheartened and give up completely. So what makes this time different?
I’ve realized that my vision is worth the work.
I’ve realized that even though I struggle to be consistent, I can keep coming back to the things that fill me with excitement and life. I can be as inconsistent as I want, so long as I keep persisting towards the creative and art-filled life that’s on the other side of that canyon. Eventually, I’ll get there.
what you’re signing up for
The immediate plan: every Sunday afternoon, I’ll write something here.
To start, something might be:
notes on building an app or website idea
notes on making art
notes on writing
a poem or prose
reflection on something I heard or read that week
links to things that inspired me that week
The rules:
When I miss a week or two or three, which I inevitably will, the only thing I can say about it in the next post is “I’m practicing being persistent, not consistent.”
I will not niche down. This space is for the full, messy, multi-interest human experience.
Every 4 posts, I’ll celebrate myself and my persistence with a little treat.
what it’ll cost you
Energy and time. Thank you in advance for making space for me, no matter how briefly.
Money-wise, I’ll keep everything free for now, but my goal is to eventually establish multiple sources of income.
Here’s to starting, and coming back to, again, again, and again.
✌🏾+💗,
SJ
instagram: @themostawful
Next week:
a list of current projects and why I want them to exist