Hey friend!
This will be the first proper issue of Jan 2021.
Here are 5 lists for you. Just to give you a heads up, it’s a ~6 minutes read!
5 Ideas for you:
This was inspired by Austin Kleon, the guy who originated blackout poetry. He's known to have written books on creativity such as ‘Steal Like An Artist’ and ‘Show Your Work’.
As someone who’s always been a big fan of quotes, I think this is a great idea.
I don’t really do it on a daily basis, but I do include some in whenever I find one that I really want to keep a record of.
I went for the digital method with a calendar in my Notion workspace. As much as I love collecting and hoarding physical notebooks, I don’t think I’ll remember to write it in the long run since copying and pasting across devices and apps is easier. I’ll end up being lazy anyway.
Detox your life
Mass clear email subscriptions you’re no longer interested to receive
Delete/Block/Report phishing and scam emails
Clear followings and/or followers on social media to control who sees your content and what you consume
Re-organise your wardrobe or your cupboard, throw away things you don’t need. Start from the bedroom, one compartment at a time.
Create a photo album of all the photos that makes you happy. Review them on days you feel sad or need some pick-me-ups.
I wrote about this here earlier.
Do the same for a music playlist. Create one for sad songs if you want, too. Sad songs are so good, even when you’re not sad. They may make you feel worse when you’re actually sad though, so be careful.
I’ve had my gut/intuition prove me wrong the two times I ignored it years ago.
Both times were about two different people. I’ve always thought I was being too sensitive or that it was just my ego or fear.
But I recently learned to tell apart intuition/gut with feelings that came from the ego or pride.
The former is subtle, persistent, never goes away even on good days. It’s subtle, softer, and just constantly lurks at the back of your mind.
The latter is loud and may come on bad days and go on good days. It just makes you feel scared and insecure.
I think it’s repeated/common advice, but taking baby steps for big things REALLY works.
If you’re having trouble tackling or starting something, such as reading a book, do it a minimum of 1-3 pages a day.
I got into the habit again once I allowed myself to only go through a minimum of 1-3 pages per night, building up to a chapter every night before bed. I can now read as much as I wish to, or until I feel sleepy.
Sometimes I finish a whole chapter before I realised, and other days, maybe just a few pages before I lose focus, and that’s okay. As long as I’ve read to keep the habit.
I think that’s the most important part. To keep doing it to reinforce the habit regardless of the duration.
Do it at your own pace, adjust it to what suits you, and start REALLY small. Like literal baby steps.
Repeat for other habits or projects you’re trying to tackle. Don’t be afraid to scale down the steps, not the goal, to one that SUITS YOU. It’s easier to not fall off the wagon like that.
5 recent favourite quotes:
You already have everything that you need inside you, you just have to use it. You are just as capable as anyone else to achieve everything you put your mind to. (Source)
What we see in others is also a reflection of ourselves. (Source)
You are the one who has to grant yourself permission to pursue your dreams. (Source)
No matter your circumstances, you always have what you need to take the next smallest step. (Source)
You have to pay attention to the things that resonate deep within your soul. (Source)
5 Recent readings I wanna share with you:
You’ve Always Had The Power, My Dear by one of my favourite writers on Medium, Sorina Raluca Băbău
Four Words That Will Change Your Life from another favourite writer of mine, Dawn Bevier
When You’re Suffering Because You Only See Yourself Through Others’ Eyes by Dawn Bevier
“Just Do It” Is More Than A Slogan — It Is The Secret To Success by Yean Foong
Bonus: The One Behind the Psychologist by Courtland O.K. Smith. It’s quite a fun book to go through. It’s written from the eyes of a grumpy, obnoxious psychologist. In each chapter, we meet a new client with a different condition than the last, or someone else the doctor met. It also contains a lot of conversations about the broken marriage between the psychologist and his wife.
Although it’s meant to be a psychological thriller, it’s not intense at all, suitable for reading before bed. I think it’s especially interesting to read about the behaviours and therapy sessions with the clients. That’s what bought me in.
I haven’t read a fiction book in forever, so I found this to be an okay start. Each chapter isn’t very long too, just a few pages.
5 things to think about this month/writing/journaling prompts:
What would your life be like if the barriers to your happiness were removed? (Source)
What have you not permitted yourself to do what you’ve always wanted to do? How can that permission be granted?
Is there anything you can change just by doing it for 5 minutes every day?
Or perhaps about 10-15 minutes a week instead?
(inspired by Yean Foong’s Chinese ebook on 5 minutes daily, 365 daily project)
Is there anything you’ve always wanted but haven’t been able to reach? Are you able to define those fears and try that out?
Is there anyone or anything sucking your energy? If there’s no need to see this person regularly (like work/school), try to minimise interactions. If not, cut them off if things really can’t be worked out. I’m currently struggling but working on this one.
3 recent works:
The 3 Quotes I’ll be Working On Living By In 2022 To Improve My Life
5 Strategies To Help You Out, The One With Way Too Many Interests
Before You Quit Your Dream: What It Means to Remember Why You Started.
This is an article I’ve written that was not posted to a publication, not one I’ve posted about on social media, emailed to my Medium subscribers about, or anything. I just wrote and published when I was going through a crisis on the week of Christmas 2021, just to get my feelings out there.
It’s a pretty long 11-minute read, but it details the long-term struggle that’s been with me for a while now, and how I got through both ruts and slumps.
I’m still working on getting out of the second one. I’m still on the way.
Now for the one personal TMI:
I’ve been working on a mini-ebook inspired by my Life of A Jack of All Trades series on Medium. It is a topic I’m interested in exploring and have been reading and following up on for a while.
This is not something I’ve yet to tell any human being, though it’s been a secret for a writing project I’ve been hoarding for more than a month now. I’ve just started it and have been dying to share it with someone. It means a lot to me.
Last week on the 11th of January, I’ve finally started outlining the book and transferred some content from my articles for certain sections as part of the first draft. The ebook will have to be re-written and edited, and I have more research (and work) to do for certain chapters. But I’m just really excited that my first-ever book has finally gone from ideation to in progress!
I’ve been kind of procrastinating that one since I first had the idea in December. I wanted to wait till I collected more information.
I eventually was too excited and kept circling back to the idea of the book happening and eventually told myself to make use of existing content and start my research as I write instead of waiting for a day I’ll sit down and do my research for my book.
It’s an overwhelming project, but I eventually told myself repeatedly as I started drafting on the 11th that I’m allowed to write a terrible first draft, and I’m definitely taking this in small, tiny baby steps. Just one small subsection or page each writing session.
It’s something I’ll be focusing on making happen.
I’m planning to seek feedback once I’m done with the first draft.
It may not be that great of a book like most creators and authors have written/are writing, but it is a HUGE step and learning experience for me. I’m all for the learning experience and the goal, especially if it’s something I’ve set my mind to do.
Never in my life, I’ve ever thought I’ll be able to say the words ‘I’m writing a book’, even though it’s just a free mini ebook. But, still. It’s a book!
Before you go….
Because I plan to part in the Coffee Times Newsletter Challenge, you will be receiving 1 other issue from me this month.
That issue will be in the same format as the current one you’ve just read, which will be out next Thursday on the 27th.
Note: From February onwards, things will go back to normal with just one issue per month.
Okay byeeee, I’ll see you next week :)
Feel free to leave a reply/feedback or start a convo anytime! :)