Looking for Consistency not Doom
Reaching for Consistency and Simplification.
One thing I have really struggled with lately is finding consistency. This seems odd because it almost feels like when the only thing you really have to do is go to work and be at home, that it should be pretty consistent. I would guess that some of this stems from that very lack of outside pressure. Without having somewhere to be all the time, we are left to our own devices, in both senses.
Really since the pandemic started, it has ebbed and flowed for me. I have spurts of creativity and productivity, and then spurts of dread and feeling helpless. I know this is not a unique feeling. I may get distracted with a random game or idea for a while, but I have struggled to focus on things I want to get done. Acknowledging this issue, I have started to try and right the ship somewhat. I am trying to find a way to simplify everything and sort of resetting it all down to the basics. I am hoping to try to clear it all out and build a structured base. I hope this will help relieve some of the fog and regain my focus and self-control. I know this is sort of vague, but as I have a better idea of how it will go, maybe I can share that.
Doomscrolling
One issue that is much easier to address is the news cycle and social media. I have seen a new term popping up for this lately that I think is great (the term not the action); doomscrolling. It makes sense; you are just scrolling through and feeling worse, and what is it helping? I have been very guilty of this. I know I have talked about it a lot before too, but it seems to be a battle I (and I’m sure many others) keep coming back to. Trying to keep your FOMO at bay, telling yourself you need to know everything that is happening in the world, that it could be something important. Justifying the action even though you know it really doesn’t help.
I have cut back on Twitter and Instagram, as they are my two worst offenders. I have been cutting down the people I follow and only letting myself look at each of them once a day. I have been at this for a few weeks now, and it has been helpful. I have also, in general, tried not to have my phone on me when I am at home either. I try to leave it on my desk. This doesn’t always happen, but we are trending in the right direction.
With all of the uncertainty around us, not knowing what the future holds and where things are going. I think it is most important to just try and do your best with what you can control; doing your best work, being the best parent you can, or the best partner. Everyone slips up at this, but as I have said many times, it’s the trying that is important. We do our best, control what we can, and deal with everything else as it comes up. I think this an important thing to realize and something I need to keep reminding myself of.
Summer Plans - Moving Forward
Originally I had this idea for an overarching theme for the summer, a single topic I was going to try to dig deep into, my own sort of research assignment. While we are approaching the middle of the summer, I haven’t gotten very far with it. I basically just have my general idea, a giant stack of books, and a very neglected newsletter list. In the spirit of trying to regain my consistency and focus, I think this is a great place to start. So next week you can look out for an outline of what my plan is with that.
Thanks for reading,
Mike