Hey friend!
We’re back with 5 lists for you. Just to give you a heads up, it’s a 5 minutes read!
List of 5 Ideas:
Take everything one tiny, baby step at a time. If that small step still overwhelms you, it’s not small or baby enough. Break it down further. It makes everything much more manageable and less stressful. (Source)
And that editor did change my career because she told me my writing wasn’t good enough. She didn’t say I’m not good enough and that’s not how I took it. But her words ignited a passion in me to keep learning, and she was the reason I went back to college for a full semester, then another semester after that. (Source)
Most times with people who are born with a skill and/or talent, it stays with them like a warm blanket. They have to do that thing or else they die inside. (Source: a response by Nancy Blackman)
Sometimes, the production process is more important than the content. The content does not have to be extravagant, though best valuable, but the delivery is equally important. Here’s how I realised that. It applies to many things.
I recently realised that sometimes, you need to allow yourself to dream big, and not be modest about it. I failed to outright express interest in a particular internship position, while my friend did. He made a stronger impression. I still hope I get the job, but nonetheless, a good lesson to learn.
5 recent favourite Quotes
"Many situations in life are similar to going on a hike: the view changes once you start walking. You don't need all the answers right now. New paths will reveal themselves if you have the courage to get started." — James Clear
When we hesitate to live out our passions, we miss out on the slight possibility of touching a person’s heart.(Source)
You are, in fact, a mashup of what you choose to let into your life. You are the sum of your influences. The German writer Goethe said, "We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.” — Austin Kleon, Steal Like An Artist
Catching up is a mental construction. The only way forward is to let go of that construction and just do it and move forward. The journey and steps to move forward is the same. Mind of a perfectionist keeps you stay stuck. Strive for progress, not perfection.
You are, in fact, a mashup of what you choose to let into your life. You are the sum of your influences. The German writer Goethe said, "We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.” — Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon
5 readings I find memorable
5 things to think about this month/writing/journaling prompts:
What’s one small thing you could do today that’d make you feel a little better and happier?
How often do we hide our talents from the world in fear of appearing ordinary or less than someone else? (source)
What are some things you are stressed about? Are you able to break them down into even tinier, steps such that it’s almost brainless to decide to do them?
Do you have an idol? Or just someone whose works (or brains) you admire? What do you think about ‘idolisation’ or having ‘heroes’? Just to share my thoughts, I’ve written about mine here.
What are the stories your brain tell you? Does it match what is happening in real life? Keep matching them up. Sometimes our brain tells us untrue stories. (source of inspiration)
5 random tidbits:
This comforting article: ‘This is not how my story ends. There is so much more to life than this moment/these hours, this day, this season of my life. It’s my story….and it doesn’t end here.”
Book update #1: I haven’t been writing for 3 weeks now since I got busier, so I’ve decided to still collect information along the way as I go. I plan to work on it one shot once my semester break starts in May, which I’m so excited about.
I’ve just received and accepted a project to compose film scores by a cousin who’s a film student. To think I wanted to be a film music composer when I was 2-4 years younger than I am now— it’s kinda cool to be back, though I’m no longer considering doing that professionally!
I also started a new Substack publication to talk about music :’) probably on impulse but I like that. Do share it with your musician friends if you have any! Thank you so much!
Feel free to leave a reply/feedback or start a convo anytime! :)