artists

Taking Breaks

Eventually we all reach this point. You’ve been working every day for months, if not years. Dark marks lay below your eyes, and that tired feeling claws behind them. You might find yourself lacking that drive and ambition which got you started and where you are now.

Q: So, what do you do?

A: Nothing.

That’s what I do anyway. Well, sort of…

I know. I have probably said something about this before a couple of times. In fact, I know that I have. That’s why I said that I know right off the bat.

Before anyone jumps to any conclusions, no, I’m not stopping the blog. I’m not going to stop writing either. Well, not altogether. That is, I’m taking about a week to have fun and/or sleep. The two actions are synonymous. And I’ll still write. Habits, even good ones, are hard to break.

This month, as in June, I’ll be returning to a place I was happy to call home once, Block Island, Rhode Island. If you’ve never heard of it that’s pretty common. I’m pleasantly surprised when someone says they have. It’s an island about 12 miles off the coast of Rhode Island. They have less than a thousand year round residents who live at or below the impoverished line, statistically speaking.

The population has a tendency to increase about 1000% during tourism season. Yes, that’s hyperbolic, but tourism brings in a lot of people, some of whom have money to spend. Like a lot of money. As in, something I doubt I’ll ever experience. The people who don’t have a lot of money like that can either come for a day trip, leaving on the last ferry of  the day, or visit someone who lives there, which is what I do. Basically, I’m a moocher who likes to visit my family on a wonderful place where I can recoup because I probably couldn’t afford to be there any other way. Woo! Go me!

Currently, a lot is happening and also not happening there. July is a little wilder for them. The 4th of July floods the beaches with people. In the past, most of them would stand shoulder-to-shoulder, beneath the sun, drunk. Some of them would have to be air lifted, if emergency crews could get to them. Although that has changed over the years. I picked a good time to come down when I can choose to do something or choose to go into the wilderness and search for peace.

There are lots of underdeveloped, protected lands to traverse and beaches to enjoy. I probably won’t sun too long since I could double as a piece of copy paper. Anyway, it’s a good time. And, frankly, I’m exhausted. Also, repetition can be a double edged sword… I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining, especially since I’m only leaving to return stronger into the fray.

I love writing. But it’s not all I do. It’s important, though, regardless of what you’re doing, creative or otherwise, to take a break. It’s healthy. We’re probably only human. So, don’t let anyone tell you differently. Seriously, you’re not a machine, and if you don’t take a break every now and then, you risk exhausting yourself, which could have bad consequences for your physical and/or mental health.

Although, I would never advise an indefinite break. It’s a mistake. Unless you want to do something else and work hard on doing that for the rest of your life, that is. A skill unused is a skill lost. You’ll metaphorically oxidize and disintegrate. What I mean is, if you don’t keep practicing, then you’ll only get worse. That hard work to better yourself will be for naught. Eventually you won’t be able to do the thing you were doing at all.

Still, take your time. Return when you’re ready. Regain your energy, your creative juices which, admittedly, sounds dirty haha, or whatever. Be aware of yourself and how much you can do before taking any sort of time off.  Know how burned out you are before deciding this is the best way to go. If you feel you want to abandon your craft, use a couple days, if possible, to not do participate in creating in that way. Instead, do something else or do nothing at all. Return to it when you’re feeling better, not stressing about it, and see how you feel. This is all person-by-person. I take a week off here and there after a couple months, and then I’m good to go for a couple more months. You may be different. In fact, you most likely are, and that’s a wonderful thing.

In the end, work hard, live a lot, and take care of yourself.

Sincerely yours,

 

Nathan

 

 

P.S. IMPORTANT! I need your help! If you would like me to discuss anything, please let me know in the comments! I’ll be reading them.

What I Talk About When I Talk About 2017.

New Year, New Me?

Yeah no.

My concise thoughts on the matter, if you don’t want to read my long-winded, tangential, ramblings: Forget it. Just be a better you. Otherwise, don’t do anything different. Oh, and fight really, really hard.

There are some things to consider: What do you want to do? What are you doing? What can you improve?

In his book, Psycho-Cybernetics, Dr. Maxwell Maltz, a former plastic surgeon, determined it took 21 days for changes to stick. Later the myth was broken by Phillipa Lally who found it can take about 2 months, 66 days really, on average. That’s a crazy amount of time to make a change and stick to it. Look at THIS Huffington Post article for more information.

Near the start of February 2016, I weighed 210 lbs. I didn’t exercise, and I ate horrendously. I hope you’re aware that’s all bad. I did. I realized my problems. I decided to start eating better, and running and working out nearly every day or every-other-day. Guess how long I kept to it? An entire year. I even plan on keeping it up the following year and the year after that, etc. I’m down 40 lbs. and I’m much healthier.

This is one of those rare occasions where I stick to something and achieve it. But I would say it’s more because of my stubbornness rather than anything else. I hated my appearance and my health, and I was determined to fix it. You know what I go for all my hard work? Clothes that don’t fit right anymore. I’m a writer. It’s not like I can go out on a shopping spree for new clothes. I’m kidding. That’s why belts exist.

I digress.

Most of you is probably fine the way it is. There are things you could work on unlearning like being a jerk, for example. I’m sure, reader, that you’re most likely not a jerk. Really, what you need to do is reflect on the things you view as good that you already do and you think you should do more of… For me, this was writing.

Previously, I mentioned that, before I got a job and before I went to grad school, I was writing a ridiculous 4 hours a day. This diminished greatly to maybe once a week. I knew this was bad even with the commitments of adulthood. What do I do? I make a deal with myself to write once a day. I don’t set a time limit. I try to block a time, but I still keep it flexible. Then I write for as long as I can before something like my work break ends or my stomach decides food is needed. To me, it’s the most important thing to do. I can’t write like the old days, but I don’t want to give it up either. So, I have this solution. It’s not the best, but it is better.

Other important things to consider:

  • What’s your work habit like?
  • How can you improve it?
  • What do you want to work on?
  • What can you realistically work on? (work on the ones you can)

Part II, The Artists

What can I say about 2017 in regards to artists and creators?

*Sigh*

A few things, really. At the very least, the next four years, not just the one, are going to be difficult, more so for some than others. Here is where I’d make a joke if I found it appropriate to do so. Even though people are griping about the severity of 2016, it can, in fact, get worse. This is especially true when you consider that some of the worst parts people refer to tend to be the deaths of celebrities they’ve never met. This is fine. They impacted you at some point. The odds are you probably didn’t know them personally. Although a famous stranger’s death can affect you, it’s not the worst thing that can happen to you. There, I said it.

So, what are we supposed to do with this new year that seems to be the coming possible apocalypse? I have a couple ideas. You don’t have to agree. You also don’t have to disagree. These are thoughts.

As an artist, you are going to be facing a group of people in power who will do all they can to get what they want, and they don’t seem to care about you or most anyone else. This means you need to enter the fray in arenas like socioeconomics and politics, as much as it pains me to say that. Let’s face it, society is in the process of shitting all over itself. You may not feel like this, but it’s the artist’s duty to not only point this out to them but to also assist them in cleaning this mess.

Here you are, thrust into the scene of uncertainty, a bohemian militant. If you can see the wrong, it can see you. Now is the time to fight. Or, really, now is the time to create. Don’t hold back. If someone tells you something is too much, the correct response is, “Fuck you.” Then carry on with what you were doing. Also consider getting rid of that person. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life. I think that’s what that is.

It won’t be easy. It won’t be fast. Most everything about it will be painful. It will probably be dangerous at times. If all you want to do is make money off of art, then you’ve come into the wrong time period, with exception to being born into certain races, classes, and sexual orientations. Even then, the world will make no promises.

Part III, Everyone

Take a deep breath. Reflect on your life. What’s going on? What do you want to do? What have you been doing? What of that stuff you’ve been doing can you do better? Think.

I know I sound like a broken record, but it’s important. Don’t accept what people tell you. Or don’t take everything you’re told at face value. Investigate matters. Call your leaders that you chose to represent you and your best interests out on their bullshit. Don’t be offended when other people do the same thing to people you side with; they are simply doing the same for themselves.

Do you care about someone? You should keep caring about them. Unless it goes to shit. Then don’t. Whatever. You’re your own person. Just take care of yourself, and try to cherish what you already have. Do you love someone or something? Does it hurt someone else? If not, then keep loving that someone or something.

Remember to eat well, drink lots of water, and get plenty of rest. Wait. I forget. Are you sick? Never mind.

Part IV, End

It’s the beginning of the year, but I’m talking about the end. Figures.

Here’s the deal, you’re most likely going to be living longer than four years, let alone the one. This makes it important to not only fight through 2017, but all the remaining years of your life. Also, live. Be sure to live. That’s going to be key. Enjoy what you can. Create what and when you can. Think deeply. Love widely. I appreciate you as both a person and a reader, and, despite everything happening, I do hope for the best for you and the people in your life.

 

 

Much love,

Nathan