Long weekend read
#59 not a long weekend read
It’s Memorial Day in the US, so for those of you in the states, let’s start with some music.
To begin..
It’s not time for a new seasonal playlist quite yet, but I’ve been getting into an old one of mine that might need some refreshing (for me) but would seem new to you. It’s great for relaxing, reading, or even dancing. Take a listen and feel it out.
(I’m listening with Spotify’s enhancements but I’ve skipped all of their suggestions. It’s too specific of a vibe. So I don’t recommend it, at least not on the first go.)
Last week I touched on intention and purpose for things like playing a game. For most hobbies that don’t result in any tangible outcome and aren’t professionally competitive, practice feels like preparing for opportunities that will never come. You continually train, but for nothing in particular.
At least for me, many of the things I have practiced or deliberately tried to get better at are things that I might need to use one day. Music for example. I probably won’t play in a band as a guitarist, though I will continue to practice in the hopes that one day I’m good enough to hop in when someone needs me.
True I could force my hand by setting up an event or concert and make me practice more. But I don’t. That’s why it remains a hobby. If I took it more seriously it might become something else, though what, I’m not sure.
Anyways, I’m thinking out loud, I need a good challenge to work towards. Send me ideas.
Inertia
Generally, inertia is a big driver in my day to day life. If something requires more extra effort than the value to be derived from it I tend not to do it. If that happens, I know it’s not that important to me. I have a painting who’s cable snapped and fell off the wall. Rather than going to buy more cable I’ve just let it sit on the floor for about 6 months. It’s not in the way and I don’t particularly like the painting either, so I don’t make the effort. Meanwhile, I obtained an old camera that needed repairing and it was in the shop the next day.
Tldr; interest creates motivation that overcomes inertia.
Of course, for things you need to do, routine, preparation (when motivated) and choice architecture can help you avoid stagnant inertia that will keep you from doing those things.
The classic here is to have things premade or ready to eat in your fridge/pantry for when you don’t want to cook. This will save money, time waiting for delivery, and maybe be healthier, that last one is up to you.
A new thing for me
I felt creative and made a mini-zine. Was that last weekend? It’s not about anything specifically. Some things I found in old magazines, some take-homes from Japan, and that morning’s thoughts. Titled LANDFILL: A collection of garbage, Volume 1 and signed it “nobody in particular” because that is accurate. I’ll share it with you here, counter to my original idea of keeping at home for myself, because it makes me uncomfortable.
Something, something you can only be brave when you’re afraid.
I think it might be interesting to talk about where each of the items came from, what I was thinking about, why something was included, etc. But I don’t know if that takes away from the art of it at all, if it is even art at all?
Isn’t that cool? That sentence was super redundant but the same words were used differently so while it looks weird, it works.
Anyways, I’ll keep it short this week. Go do something creative or take a walk with your extra time.