This one’s for you, Bestie

This weekend I wrote on Bluesky:

And then this morning I saw this on Bluesky:

I asked my gap-year young adult via text what this is and they said that this is sorta from Undertale/Deltarune and maybe the quote is from there too but the dog/fox definitely is and who knows about the quote. Now my nearly-graduated-from-college young adult is getting in on the action and texting the family chat that from her search the quote is from the 10th anniversary streaming something-something and whew boy, do I feel old right now. I just liked the quote under the dog/fox and wanted to share it with you because it’s my secret super power too.

An equation that will bring you joy

I know everything feels ridiculously hard right now. I feel it too. Some days getting going takes a massive outpouring of just sheer will. And if you are struggling, I see you. Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Do more when you can. Rest when you need to. Clock out of staying on top of the horror show, it will still be here when you are better rested to take it on.

But if you have the energy today, make something. Whatever it is that makes your heart sing, go make it. Then once you’ve made it, share it with someone. If it’s a meal, gather a friend or a family member to join you to eat it. Do you make music? Jam with a friend or send a playlist from your music app – that’s more my speed. If it’s art, snap a pic and share it online or gather on zoom or in person and make art together.

Make and share. You get to decide both parts of that equation but I promise you, if you do both parts you will feel a little bit better. And if you do it again tomorrow it will likely feel even better. Keep going until you realize you are a rockstar because you are and your brain just has to catch up.

Imposter Syndrome lies

Have you ever noticed that only people who self examine for more than two minutes seem to have Imposter Syndrome? If you’ve ever given your own thinking more than passing notice, imposter syndrome might have set up shop in your head.

This is a reminder to move in the world like you have a right to be here. Because you do. Take up your space. You don’t have to be aggressive about it but don’t surrender your spot because you think someone else somewhere else might deserve it more. You deserve it. The imposter syndrome is a lying liar and you should go do your thing like you mean it. Because only you can make your work.

We need you to do your thing right now. You need to make whatever it is you make and put it out into the world because we need to showcase our humanity right now. I want to see all the erased lines and carefully painted over bits. I want to hear the squeaky strings on your guitar. Lopsided mug you made by hand? Bring it! A few lines of poetry about autumn leaves — I’m here for it! We need the handmade now more than ever.

We can never know our own impact

Our society insists that every venture be a huge success. That if 50,000 people aren’t chanting your name on any given Tuesday you are a failure. But here’s the thing, you are probably still making an impact right now and you might never even know it.

Do you teach anything anywhere? Then you’ve probably given a student a boost they needed to keep going. Do you serve in a volunteer organization of any kind? There are people there who are thankful for your presence even if your contribution was taking out trash or resetting chairs. Do you have a dog? Unless you make a habit of kicking him everyday, he’s gaga over you and is waiting right now for you to get home so y’all can play frisbee in the back yard. Have you said something nice to someone today? That may seem small, but lemme tell you the kindness of a stranger in the grocery store line when your three year old is wailing and you are trying to bag your groceries can turn your day right around.

Move in the world like what you make is awesome and what you contribute to others is too, because it is. And if no one has told you that lately, I’m telling you now.

Be a cheerleader for yourself and someone else too

I like what I do. I enjoy my own art and I like to read what I have written. Maybe that sounds arrogant and I used to really shy away from that. But you know what? Who is going to pretend to like my stuff if I don’t? Maybe my mom. (Hi, Mom!) But I’ll be honest, I make the things I make and write what I write because I want to and I enjoy it and if I’m the only person who ever thinks any of it is cool, I’m okay with that. Also? Many of the things I write here on the blog are to motivate me, to remind me where I need to be going. I am my own compass and cheerleader by necessity. You can be yours too. This is the moment when we need it the most.

You can be your own cheerleader too. Look at the thing you made and notice everything that works. Start by finding the details that delight you. Maybe the colors are just right or the flavors in your dish are singing. If you get the the point where you whisper to yourself, “Did I make that?” Write it down. Because that, my friend? That is a good day, the day when you amaze yourself.

And once you’ve amazed yourself with your work, go be amazed by someone else’s work and tell them. Sharing your enthusiasm for making and sharing will be contagious. Other people are gonna wanna get in on the action. Let them. Will it change the world? I dunno. But I’m willing to give it a shot.

Tell me your story about cheering for yourself or send me a pic of something you made this week. Email me or start a conversation by leaving a comment on this post! If you’d like to keep up with what I’m working on, I’d love to have you as a newsletter subscriber. I include blog posts from here, cool things I find online, and pictures of my dogs. Sign up here.