I wish I could say the title for this piece was an my original thought, but it belongs to Joan Didion. A friend asked her why she used her "good" china for everyday. Didion's answer: "today is all there is." FUCKING BRILLIANT!
I don't know about you, but I'm always in the future, worrying or anticipating. The only way I can stay in the present is by entertaining myself. And for me, entertainment is writing. Not that I don't watch films, television series, read, etc. But the REAL way I can lose myself, is when I create a story of my own and immerse myself in the world of the story.
Entertain yourself. The FIRST person I have to entertain is myself. And I'm a tough audience. I'm so fucking judgmental. But if I'm jumping up every ten minutes to get something to eat or leave my phone on and take phones and texts, it's a warning. I'm bored. If I'm bored, why will anyone else be entertained or engaged?
Writing is a gift to yourself. Is it hard? Of course. But so are most things that are rewarding. Writing is a journey not a destination. So cliche but so true. If I weren't so lazy I'd create my own quote for your wall. Unless you want to use this one -
YOUR HEAD IS YOUR ENEMY. TURN IT OFF.
Choose and designate a quiet space where you can't be easily interrupted.
TURN OFF YOUR PHONE! Hard shut down.
Set a timer - 20 minutes or more.
BRAIN DUMP. Write from your unconscious. It doesn't matter what you put on the page as long as you're putting down words, scribbles, drawings. Whatever comes out.
Do NOT rewrite a word. Move onto to the next thing.
We have become our own BIGGEST DISTRACTION.
Answer this: Do you want to be a voyeur, scrolling through other people's lives and envying them? Or would you like to fulfill your own hopes and aspirations?
You're the person in charge of your future. There will never be a better time than now. My next Storytelling Lab begins March 11th. It's a small step to take but with huge rewards.