Comments on: Don’t Say That Later Will Be Better http://twentyorsomething.com/2009/01/21/dont-say-that-later-will-be-better/ tonight we drink to youth. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:01:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: twentyorsomething http://twentyorsomething.com/2009/01/21/dont-say-that-later-will-be-better/comment-page-1/#comment-85 twentyorsomething Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:08:58 +0000 http://twentyorsomething.wordpress.com/?p=947#comment-85 One of the reasons why I love and appreciate my readers so much is that everyone's comments contain nuggets of wisdom and profound insight. You force me to step back and detach myself from the situation in order to look at it from another perspective. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the honesty that you provide. Thanks to everyone for reading, for commenting, for providing conversation and additional food for thought. Jonathan: The part of your comment that resonated with me was my negative perception towards my job. There are positive things about it, and those are the things that I'll be able to learn from and take away, but you're absolutely right in that I tend to focus on the negative aspects because of how I perceive it's holding me back. If I were to look at it in a more positive light, perhaps I could have a greater appreciation for the resources it provides and the flexibility it allows. It's something I need to work on, something I'm willing to work on. Because no matter how much I complain (and my blog is a natural outlet for that, it seems!), I really am grateful for the source of income and stability that it provides. Per your first note, I wonder if I surround myself with creative external resources if that will provide the inspiration that I'm seeking, despite the lack of that in the job. It looks like I have some work ahead of me. I'll definitely give your exercise a try! Tania: It seems this is exactly what is meant by "struggling artist," isn't it? That's something that I had completely forgotten and kind of gives me a newfound appreciation for what I'm going through. The hard part in all of this is knowing that something needs to change, only not knowing how to make that change, not knowing if that's even feasible at this point. And it seems that's where patience comes in, and it's going to be trying and tough, but maybe that'll make it worth it in the end. All of these things I know, deep down, but when I'm so stuck, it's sometimes easier said than done. What I do need to do is be happy and appreciative of what I have, but then that begs the question: is that satisfaction merely another word for settling? Can I balance both worlds? Will finding creativity elsewhere help me feel better about the job? Is the job a means to a creative end? I don't have an answer yet, so I'm curious to know how other people succeed in finding that balance. Thanks for your responses! One of the reasons why I love and appreciate my readers so much is that everyone’s comments contain nuggets of wisdom and profound insight. You force me to step back and detach myself from the situation in order to look at it from another perspective. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the honesty that you provide. Thanks to everyone for reading, for commenting, for providing conversation and additional food for thought.

Jonathan: The part of your comment that resonated with me was my negative perception towards my job. There are positive things about it, and those are the things that I’ll be able to learn from and take away, but you’re absolutely right in that I tend to focus on the negative aspects because of how I perceive it’s holding me back.

If I were to look at it in a more positive light, perhaps I could have a greater appreciation for the resources it provides and the flexibility it allows. It’s something I need to work on, something I’m willing to work on. Because no matter how much I complain (and my blog is a natural outlet for that, it seems!), I really am grateful for the source of income and stability that it provides. Per your first note, I wonder if I surround myself with creative external resources if that will provide the inspiration that I’m seeking, despite the lack of that in the job. It looks like I have some work ahead of me. I’ll definitely give your exercise a try!

Tania: It seems this is exactly what is meant by “struggling artist,” isn’t it? That’s something that I had completely forgotten and kind of gives me a newfound appreciation for what I’m going through. The hard part in all of this is knowing that something needs to change, only not knowing how to make that change, not knowing if that’s even feasible at this point. And it seems that’s where patience comes in, and it’s going to be trying and tough, but maybe that’ll make it worth it in the end.

All of these things I know, deep down, but when I’m so stuck, it’s sometimes easier said than done. What I do need to do is be happy and appreciative of what I have, but then that begs the question: is that satisfaction merely another word for settling? Can I balance both worlds? Will finding creativity elsewhere help me feel better about the job? Is the job a means to a creative end?

I don’t have an answer yet, so I’m curious to know how other people succeed in finding that balance.

Thanks for your responses!

]]> By: taniamccue http://twentyorsomething.com/2009/01/21/dont-say-that-later-will-be-better/comment-page-1/#comment-84 taniamccue Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:24:06 +0000 http://twentyorsomething.wordpress.com/?p=947#comment-84 I've struggled with the same thing when I was working a 9-5. And what I came to realize is that unless the artist is independently weathly, most artists (writers included) have to do something that pays the bills until they have found a way to live off of their art. While this is less than ideal, it is unfortunately the reality of the situation. I agree with Jonathan. It sounds like you are stuck in a rut- and I wonder if feeling so stifled by your job isn't contributing to the block that is interrupting your creative flow. Good luck! I’ve struggled with the same thing when I was working a 9-5. And what I came to realize is that unless the artist is independently weathly, most artists (writers included) have to do something that pays the bills until they have found a way to live off of their art. While this is less than ideal, it is unfortunately the reality of the situation. I agree with Jonathan. It sounds like you are stuck in a rut- and I wonder if feeling so stifled by your job isn’t contributing to the block that is interrupting your creative flow.

Good luck!

]]> By: Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills http://twentyorsomething.com/2009/01/21/dont-say-that-later-will-be-better/comment-page-1/#comment-83 Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:37:24 +0000 http://twentyorsomething.wordpress.com/?p=947#comment-83 As I read, I was struck by two different messages coming through your story. Here’s what I heard: 1. You are a creative source of energy, but there doesn’t seem to be any external source of energy flowing in, it’s all flowing out. Sounds like your mind needs a pattern interrupt. Do you ever completely disconnect from your pursuits? We all benefit from activities that have absolutely nothing to do with the rest of our life. It is a necessary pause that can invigorate us mentally and balance our perspective. Try letting go for a few days and see what happens. 2. Your view of your job is being skewed in a negative direction. Make a list of 30 things you love about your job. This exercise will set your mind searching for, and focusing on, the positive. Thirty is a large enough number to present a challenge. This will get your creative problem solving energy into a mode of appreciation. When you finish, read your list out loud twice a day, before bed and first thing in the AM. After a few days, you will feel mentally refreshed and have more appreciation for your temporary source of financial support (job). You’ll be supercharged! What do you think? As I read, I was struck by two different messages coming through your story. Here’s what I heard:

1. You are a creative source of energy, but there doesn’t seem to be any external source of energy flowing in, it’s all flowing out. Sounds like your mind needs a pattern interrupt. Do you ever completely disconnect from your pursuits? We all benefit from activities that have absolutely nothing to do with the rest of our life. It is a necessary pause that can invigorate us mentally and balance our perspective. Try letting go for a few days and see what happens.

2. Your view of your job is being skewed in a negative direction. Make a list of 30 things you love about your job. This exercise will set your mind searching for, and focusing on, the positive. Thirty is a large enough number to present a challenge. This will get your creative problem solving energy into a mode of appreciation. When you finish, read your list out loud twice a day, before bed and first thing in the AM.

After a few days, you will feel mentally refreshed and have more appreciation for your temporary source of financial support (job). You’ll be supercharged!

What do you think?

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