Take a break from existential dread and global calamity to check out my self-serving blog.
SONG INSPIRATION
This month’s blog is inspired by Timbaland & Keri Hilson’s “The Way I Are”. This track really takes me back.
REIMAGINING THE HOLIDAYS
This year’s holiday season will be different due to covid – no large family gatherings and limited travel. The effect is compounded by the tumultuous political landscape and, for me, my impending departure from the country. Once the emotional upheaval of holiday disruption has subsided, I’ll have to come up with creative solutions. Skype? Zoom? Facetime? Perhaps visiting an environment that recreates the raucous atmosphere of gossiping family and goofy friends. Or maybe trying a new recipe with a group of close friends. Either way, I’m trying to make the best out of a new situation. It’s better than sulking.
Advice: This is a great time to flex that creativity muscle. No plans are in stone this year, so take the opportunity to imagine and create a new or alternative tradition.
WRITING
It’s been a solid month of progress on my novel. Even though I’m a writer, I’m not sure I can accurately convey with words what writing does for my soul. I’ll try. I’ve felt actualized, motivated, relieved, enthralled, and anxious. I can feel the pressure in my head decreasing with every scene I write. Returning to a consistent writing schedule has been one of the better aspects of finishing graduate school. At this rate, I could complete my novel in a few months. However, I know that won’t happen. Moving overseas will disrupt my life for a few weeks, at least – that is, until I create a new routine. For now, I’m focused on making as much progress as possible. The sooner I finish this book, the sooner I can start the sequel.
Advice: I’ve met so many people who enjoy writing (e.g. poems, short stories, etc.) I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – just write, damn it! Doesn’t matter how crappy it is. Write it. Once it’s written, you can edit. That’s the easy part.
FRIENDSHIP IN YOUR 30s
Evolution is one of the few constants in life. Things may change on various time scales (e.g. daily, monthly, or annually), but they change nonetheless. Friendship – the quality and type – is no different. While a core group of friends may stay more or less the same over many years, the quality or type of friendship you require changes. When I was in my teens, I – like many of you – had loads of energy. I had time for drama, sleepovers, late nights, and all sorts of Tom Foolery. My friends facilitated risky behaviors and hobbies – we were young and free. When I was in my 20s, I sought comfort in my own skin. Friendship revolved around battling insecurities, undoing the damage from childhood (we all get dinged up), fantasizing about the future, longing for something special, and finding ourselves. Now, I’m in my 30s. Most of my friends are in long term relationships, employed, and property owners/investors. The days of eating 3000 calorie meals, staying up past midnight (willingly), and frolicking around have ended. Nowadays, friendship is about nurturing meaningful connections (especially at long distance), inspiring growth and creativity, and maintaining stability. Everyone grows and matures at different rates but in general priorities change with age. As such, it’s important that existing friendships realign with those priorities. Many aspects that I once held dear are no longer applicable to my current situation. I’m excited by many of the friendships I’ve made in the last 5 years, and I’m thankful for those which have persisted even longer. Entering this next decade of my life, I’m sure I will shed (not purposefully, but organically) those relationships which no longer serve a purpose.
Advice: Many friendships are held together by history, but sometimes that isn’t enough. As your priorities change, if you find certain people no longer contribute positively to your life (and you no longer contribute to theirs), it may be time to seek new relationships or explore existing ones. There can be a fluidity to this process.
CURRENT SHOWS
Recently finished: Criminal: UK (s2); Fairy Gone; Japan Sinks 2020; Sherlock (1-2)
Currently watching: After the Rain, Great British Bakeoff (s8); Sherlock (s3); Young Wallander
Thank you for reading! My next blog is scheduled for Thursday, November 19th. Until next time….
The Planetary Novelist 