Article: Analog Algorithm: A Compilation of Useful Thoughts
Analog Algorithm: A Compilation of Useful Thoughts
These are all just reminders to myself. I hope they resonate. I want to make this a series. I will post it every so often when I've written down enough to string together in a post.
My aim recently has been to decrease or totally eliminate the amount of ‘shoulds’ I place on the external world. I find that when I expect something out of others or the world in general, it leads to disappointment. It's also very close to a feeling of entitlement. It comes with a lot of complaining. I think I'm done complaining. I've got it out of my system. It does nothing for me or anyone else. It's a waste of energy.
I hereby declare that if you spot me complaining publicly, you have permission to call me out. Even if you see this on a version of the wayback machine, long after I'm dead and then find some post on an archived social media database where I'm complaining- really let me have it.
So, I'm done complaining about social media, too.
Wahh, I'm not reaching my followers. What a waste of time.
Boo-hoo everything's toxic. Big deal. Ignore it. Time and energy are precious.
From now on it's, "Social media works for me" because in all truth, it has. Yes it has plenty of downsides that I and literally millions of others have covered in complaints already. Yes, as a matter of fact, it's like- a really bad medium for nuanced discussion.
And also, I wouldn't be making it as an artist today if it had never existed. It's too late for hemming and hawing. Might as well have it work for me. It IS a tool right?
While eliminating the shoulds I place on the world, I want to increase the amount of ‘musts’ I lay on myself. This helps with focus, cuts out a lot of noise and generally keeps me in a better mood. It helps to make my goals more tangible and real, rather than some quiescent cloud of wishes that can easily turn into more 'shoulds'. Like today, I said "I must write a new blog post" No questioning 'why' which leads to a downward spiral of doubt. Who cares? It must happen. Because I said so. Because there are actually a few dozen to a thousand of you who do care, and that actually means a lot.
Here's another must. I must learn how to sell my work online. I must, literally. I must learn how to lead-hunt for mural gigs. That's what I have been working on lately. There's no in-progress photo of that work, I'm afraid. Not sexy. Difficult and boring and technical. But I'm not complaining. It's like any new skill. One will suck at it for a bit before figuring out the basics.
I recently received an e-mail from the company paying for a mural I'm scheduled to work on sometime in the spring, that the date has (probably) been pushed back until they can get some permitting processed. Original dates were set for early April, now I'm not sure.
It's one of those external happenings that test out where I'm at mentally. Can I just shrug it off and stay focused? Well, I must. The only choice is how long I'll be upset about it. I don't even know if I chose it, but I had only a brief moment of pause before replying back "No worries, thanks for letting me know." I can't tell you how nice it feels to say no worries and really mean it.
Keep in mind that the world owes you nothing. Don't feel entitled to anyone's time.
The inverse of that statement holds true as well.
Don't give the world or people your attention and time if it's not reciprocated.
If you really want to improve your work, relationships, and mental health I've found getting rid of distraction is such a bigger factor than any technique or class. Just focus on making the best stuff you can and being confident and consistent with sharing it. Focus on the other person. Cut out the external noise. The confidence will come from the hours you put in on the canvas, your partner and your mind. Consistency in sharing is just investing in and yes- Loving yourself.
So there's the "news." I must stay on top of these blog posts and I will.
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1 comment
I love this perspective Andrew, thanks for taking the time to share it. A lot of us do care! ❤️
Julia Wild
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