Whew! RESONATES. I wrote/directed an indie series in this same vein — six "voices" in a writer's head come to life and try to talk her out of writing. My Juliette is named Edie. She wears alligator heels and smokes out of an opera length cigarette holder.
I find these voices hard to trust. Sometimes they're just being jerks. But also? Sometimes they're right. I, too, have been caught in the search engine trap for two weeks just to avoid edits on my screenplay. There's a wonderful recent episode on the Twelfth House podcast about the "bike shedding" effect and how focusing on the little tasks can sometimes be an unconscious strategy to avoid the bigger, more needle-moving tasks. I am guilty of this!
And I very much align with the stillness part of your creative process. My anxiety never wants me to be still. But I don't get any insights or intuition without letting up on the gas every now and then. Loved how you articulated all of this nuance. It's for real.
But yeah, all the voices in my head have been jerks at one time or another! That’s so cool that you created a series that was similar! (Also not sure if you know this old sitcom called Herman’s Head?! It was kind of like Inside Out).
I’m really glad to know that this isn’t just me and my psychosis, and that it resonates!
I feel like I am constantly doing smaller things to procrastinate from doing the bigger stuff, whether it’s just avoiding the most daunting task of the day or avoiding sitting with my own emotions and boredom long enough…
I have never heard of Herman's Head, but I just looked it up and wow that is JUST the same concept as mine! I can't believe I missed that in all the years I was working on it!
But yes, I am prone to over-working or spinning my wheels to outrun emotions or boredom or even just the sense of uncertainty, which is my particular flavor of Things Which I'd Like to Avoid At All Costs.
The "fall back" position is what I call this. Have you heard that advice to only take action if it is inspired action? Unfortunately, you do need to be still enough to know what is inspired action feels like ;) tricky. I agree with Oprah that everyone wants to be seen and heard but some of us need this more than others, she writes as she dials her therapist. Or is it real "connection" then it becomes a spiritual journey and less of a community based one! Ahhh this is the stuff of life, right? Maybe it's time for an art residency? Or an art class where you tackle something you've never done before! I took a strict academic portrait class for a solid week and it gave me a seriously new appreciation for the freedoms I had found in the studio! Don't get to mad at Juliette, although you could ask her to soften her tone down a bit!
Yes! The stuff of life - always a difficult journey to find the right path. For me, though, inaction is better, but I agree with you that I can still find time to pursue my creative hobbies, as I have been doing. No need to start anything else, just continue enjoying leisurely activities that make me happy. An art class is certainly something to consider, although I've been doing that on my own via youtube. But, I could use some socialization :) I should probably get out of the house...
I loved this so much Jaime. It feels like you've transcripted one of the conversations I have with myself. Your writing is fantastic. You clearly expressed a pretty nuanced thing and made it super relatable and clear. Let's hope the next time ambition shows up we can identify it swiftly and actually choose whether/how to engage
same here. was struggling with that as well. I think i finally understand exactly what I need and don't need to make everything into a huge endeavor. slow organic growth!
Whew! RESONATES. I wrote/directed an indie series in this same vein — six "voices" in a writer's head come to life and try to talk her out of writing. My Juliette is named Edie. She wears alligator heels and smokes out of an opera length cigarette holder.
I find these voices hard to trust. Sometimes they're just being jerks. But also? Sometimes they're right. I, too, have been caught in the search engine trap for two weeks just to avoid edits on my screenplay. There's a wonderful recent episode on the Twelfth House podcast about the "bike shedding" effect and how focusing on the little tasks can sometimes be an unconscious strategy to avoid the bigger, more needle-moving tasks. I am guilty of this!
And I very much align with the stillness part of your creative process. My anxiety never wants me to be still. But I don't get any insights or intuition without letting up on the gas every now and then. Loved how you articulated all of this nuance. It's for real.
Edie sounds fabulous and fancy 💃🏼
But yeah, all the voices in my head have been jerks at one time or another! That’s so cool that you created a series that was similar! (Also not sure if you know this old sitcom called Herman’s Head?! It was kind of like Inside Out).
I’m really glad to know that this isn’t just me and my psychosis, and that it resonates!
I feel like I am constantly doing smaller things to procrastinate from doing the bigger stuff, whether it’s just avoiding the most daunting task of the day or avoiding sitting with my own emotions and boredom long enough…
🫶
I have never heard of Herman's Head, but I just looked it up and wow that is JUST the same concept as mine! I can't believe I missed that in all the years I was working on it!
But yes, I am prone to over-working or spinning my wheels to outrun emotions or boredom or even just the sense of uncertainty, which is my particular flavor of Things Which I'd Like to Avoid At All Costs.
Been loving your writing, can't wait for more. :)
…I didn’t realize I’d been living with Juliette Lewis for a while, too…
Haha! She's not always easy to live with 😆
The "fall back" position is what I call this. Have you heard that advice to only take action if it is inspired action? Unfortunately, you do need to be still enough to know what is inspired action feels like ;) tricky. I agree with Oprah that everyone wants to be seen and heard but some of us need this more than others, she writes as she dials her therapist. Or is it real "connection" then it becomes a spiritual journey and less of a community based one! Ahhh this is the stuff of life, right? Maybe it's time for an art residency? Or an art class where you tackle something you've never done before! I took a strict academic portrait class for a solid week and it gave me a seriously new appreciation for the freedoms I had found in the studio! Don't get to mad at Juliette, although you could ask her to soften her tone down a bit!
Yes! The stuff of life - always a difficult journey to find the right path. For me, though, inaction is better, but I agree with you that I can still find time to pursue my creative hobbies, as I have been doing. No need to start anything else, just continue enjoying leisurely activities that make me happy. An art class is certainly something to consider, although I've been doing that on my own via youtube. But, I could use some socialization :) I should probably get out of the house...
I loved this so much Jaime. It feels like you've transcripted one of the conversations I have with myself. Your writing is fantastic. You clearly expressed a pretty nuanced thing and made it super relatable and clear. Let's hope the next time ambition shows up we can identify it swiftly and actually choose whether/how to engage
Thank you and I'm so happy you can relate!
same here. was struggling with that as well. I think i finally understand exactly what I need and don't need to make everything into a huge endeavor. slow organic growth!
Yes - true! Slow, organic growth! Forced growth just doesn't feel sustainable or authentic for me.
"You can’t measure freedom, contentment, or time, and those are the only three things you should be focused on." 💜