Get out of your own way
Wow, November has really crept up on me. I realise that tracking little wins and milestones is so important, otherwise the days and weeks fly by without a second glance and I stop to wonder what I’ve achieved in the time.
October has been lots of mental and physical road blocks. The resistance to routine and flow has been confronting and interesting at the same time. Balancing responsibility with self care and quality time with loved ones has been my priority. Sometimes they seem to conflict with my ability to have solid creative output. I’ve found the best creative days are the ones, where I really push myself past my boundaries and sit past the discomfort, even when every cell in my body wants to start on another pending task. Why does the resistance feel so strong, and the procrastination through distraction have so much allure? There’s nothing to blame but myself - I’ve been in my own way, creating my own roadblocks.
One recent win is that I finished and received my graduation certificate to a Grad Dip in Psychological Sciences, something I was plugging away at part-time whilst working the past 12 months. Another official paper to hang up somewhere. While I don’t have any intention to ever be a psychologist, the subjects and topics were fascinating, given my own preoccupation with better understanding mental heath and individual drives. I love to know what motivates and hinders people, nature vs nurture and all of that.
In other news, I started improv classes which I’ve really been enjoying. Some of my biggest inspirations are stand up comics - from the Brooklyn 99 cast, Jerry Seinfield, Dave Schapelle, Chris Rock. I think stand up comedy really allows for raw expression and ability to bring up tough and sometimes contentious topics in a way accepted by society. Knowing a lot of comics start their journey through improv, I’ve naturally been really curious. So far, it’s surpassed my expectations (I didn’t know what to expect). My biggest take always so far:
Improv is spontaneity. Spontaneity is listening, and responding in the moment using your unconscious
It is knowing your mental blocks, and doing the best you can in constantly changing and unpredictable circumstances
It is becoming an expert at navigating (listening and responding) through the unknown
It is presence and breaking down your cognitive load, to avoid overwhelm
It is having tools to navigate social anxiety in a productive way
I’m currently (re)listening to Tim Ferriss’s podcast with Jim Collins. A gem of an interview.
Currently reading: Girl, stop apologising by Rachel Hollis.
Ro
