How to un-hustle when everything feels urgent
what if you slowed down even more...
This week, I’ve got something a bit different for us. Inspired by Lisa Ciccarello’s Playable Poetry guide, I thought, why not a playable newsletter? If you’re game, read on…
To play:
Content note: Though you’ll be playing as a fictional character, this includes extremely unfair (commonly called “negative”) self-talk, so if that’s not something you’re up for today, please skip it.
You’ll need a coin, something to write with (or another way to capture your responses), and a playful spirit.
To “win,” complete the following steps:
Below, you’ll read on for a description of the situation your character has found themselves in. Flip your coin, noting heads or tails, and then read the description.
Following the description are two writing prompts, labeled heads or tails. Complete the journal prompt that corresponds to your coin toss results as if you were writing about someone else.
Once you’ve completed the prompt, comment on this post celebrating your win so Ryn can send you a virtual high five.
You’re relaxing into your creative pace, brainstorming ideas for your next project, and BOOM the voices of Hustle and Urgency sneak back in.
The only sound is cars whooshing by outside and yet…
in a forgotten web browser, loud voices demand justification for the use of “their” taxpayer dollars on salad greens, on cereal, on—god forbid—a child’s birthday cake, but never the CEOs who can’t afford to pay a living wage but can afford private school and a politician. It’s maddening.
What if people found out how little you’ve accomplished? How inefficient you are? How long it takes you to write a simple newsletter? How all you’ve done this week is jot down ideas for things you may never create? (Well that and therapy.) What if they knew Medicaid paid for your therapy?
If your coin shows heads: You’ll show them! Write a short passage about your attempt to prove your worth to this critical peanut gallery. Do you try to explain yourself to them with facts? Do you hustle harder? Something else? Does it “work”? Be sure to include a few consequences of this choice.
If your coin shows tails: Fuck those people! You’ll never be able to prove you matter to people who don’t matter to themselves. Write a short passage about honoring your creative pace. Do you allow yourself a full month to play around with new ideas? Do you set limits on the amount of work you’ll do in a day so you don’t burn out...again? Do you allow yourself a weekly Artist Date? All of this? Some of this? Be sure to include a few consequences of this choice.
🧐 When you’re done, be sure to comment below so I can send you a virtual high five! Did this help you bring curiosity to the challenge of honoring your pace when outside forces insist you should be faster or more efficient?
The pressure to meet end-of-year goals and the impending pressure of a Fresh New Start are upon us. Until next time, what’s one small way you can release the pressure?
Ryn
President of The Creative Courage Club