The time is finally here! My book The Halcyon Sky has a release date of February 25th! You can pre-order the eBook now on amazon. The paperback version will be available on the release date.

I am so excited for you all to read it!

Thank you for all the support!

-Nathan

Check out thehalcyonsky.com where you can sign up to receive updates about the book. Get exclusive content leading up to the release of the book. Be the first to know when the pre-order goes live & be entered for a chance to win a free copy.

Thanks for reading!

-Nathan

Experiencing Moments of Solitude.

I was lucky enough to be able to see some incredible live music this summer from the moving and nostalgia-inducing performance from Jason Isbell to the electrifying show that Kendrick Lamar put on at Lollapalooza, and most recently the energetic singalong fest from Jimmy Eat World. These have been some unforgettable shows. Yet even as I find myself swaying with the crowd I can’t help but feel somewhat alone. I went to all of these shows on my own, which I don’t mind. I still find the concert-going experience enjoyable when you're alone. But there is something I have been feeling lately, and that is the feeling of isolation. So many of the activities I do on a regular basis are solitary, whether it’s work, exercise, or concerts, when you add them all up it can have a compounding effect. I think part of the reason I have been feeling this is the changing of the season. Summer as usual was spent nonstop with my family, and for that to change within a week as the boys go back to school and Lizzy goes back to teaching can be a lot to adjust to. I hope that as we fall into the routine of the school year I will adjust and feel less isolated. I know I’m not the only one who feels like this sometimes, and I take comfort in that.

Finding an editor.

I am on the hunt for an editor for my upcoming novel. I am feeling a bit at a loss in the whole process. I have always imagined the relationship between writer and editor as long-term. Yet how do you go about establishing that in the first place? Is it the luck of the draw to be matched up with someone you gel with? How do you start the conversation and should you do a trial run/sample edits before committing? How much should I be spending on quality work? There are a lot of questions that don’t have easy answers. I am guessing that there we be a lot of communication and a feeling-out process before I feel comfortable committing. I am also torn trying to decide how many rounds of edits I want to go through. It seems like hiring separate developmental, copy and proofreading editors would get expensive fast. I have gone through beta readers and have self-edited a few drafts so I feel fairly confident about where the book is at handing it off to any editor, yet even so, I am nervous to dip my toe into the process.

Fixing my teeth.

I am going on month six of a seven-month invisible braces treatment. I always knew that I needed braces, but for some reason didn't get them. Then as an adult, it started to matter to me more. I didn’t like the fact that it made me self-conscious about smiling in photos. I started to notice it more after we had kids, you want to smile when you're taking a picture with them. I was ready for the change to be gradual and luckily I only have a seven-month plan and not a year, but the process now seems to be dragging on. The aligners move my teeth into place in tiny increments each week. Over time you see the results but day to day it seems like you are not making any progress at all. The whole process reminds me of how long change can take to happen. It’s difficult to be patient wanting to see results sooner but when we commit to tiny changes and stick to it every day we will see amazing results. While I know my new smile will be worth the time and money, I want to remember the lesson that big changes come from tiny movements over time.

Let me know what you think of the new format. If you have any advice on what to look for when hiring an editor I would love to hear from you. Drop it in the comments. Thanks for reading!

-Nathan

I am writing this in the hopes that it will help me organize my thoughts and carve out some time from my schedule to work on my passion project.

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to let your passion project fall by the wayside amid the demands of work, school, and family. As someone who's been working on editing a novel, I understand how challenging it can be to find consistent time to make progress. To help myself, I've created a list of guidelines that may also be helpful for anyone facing similar struggles.

Minimizing distractions.

Distractions are the biggest productivity killers, and I often find myself browsing the internet, watching TV, or checking social media instead of working on my passion project. To avoid these distractions, it's crucial to set aside a specific time for work and remove potential interruptions by putting your phone in another room or setting them to "Focus mode."

Establishing a daily routine.

Consistency is key when it comes to working on your passion project. Skipping a single day of work can derail the entire schedule, so committing to working on it every day is essential. Developing a daily routine will make it easier to stay on track and establish good habits, which eventually will become second nature.

Reframing the project as a privilege.

It's easy to get bogged down with the idea that working on your passion project is just another chore on your to-do list. To help overcome this, try changing your perspective and viewing it as a privilege rather than a task. By reframing your mindset, you can make the project feel more enjoyable, and it will be something to look forward to instead of dreading it.

Divide your project into smaller tasks.

Breaking down your passion project into smaller, manageable tasks is an effective way to stay motivated and focused. Rather than trying to tackle the project as a whole, try to divide it into smaller, more achievable steps. This approach allows you to track your progress and feel a sense of accomplishment every time you complete a task. By taking small steps, you can build momentum and make steady progress toward achieving your ultimate goal. Additionally, completing smaller tasks can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and discouraged by the amount of work that lies ahead.

Establishing a Routine that Suits You.

Each person has their own preferences and work styles. Finding what works best for you and your schedule is crucial to achieving success. Whether you prefer to work late at night or early in the morning, or you can only work at certain times due to other commitments, experiment and discover your optimal schedule. Once you've found it, stick to it.

Creating an Optimal Creative Space.

It's important to have a dedicated space where you feel comfortable and inspired to create. A space free of distractions and external disturbances is ideal, but not everyone has access to a studio or an office. Work with the resources you have and make the most of them. Before starting work, ensure that you've set the mood and created an atmosphere that's conducive to your creativity.

I’d love to hear your best practices for making time for your passion project!

Share them in the comments.

Thanks for reading!

-Nathan

Let me first start with my personal history of running.

I started running on a regular basis when I turned thirty. I don’t have any experience with running in a competitive field. I didn’t do cross country in high school. Yet I have always had a love of running. Growing up, I thought of myself as faster than average, as many young boys do. I couldn’t be touched in freeze tag or capture the flag and was quick around the bases. My speed was a part of my identity.

It wasn’t until around fourth grade that I realized that I was not fast, or at least not any faster than average. It was during a field day at school. I was homeschooled, but we would get together with other homeschoolers for special activities, like field day. One of the activities was a foot race. I couldn’t wait. I stepped up to the line, ready to lay down the speed and leave the other homeschoolers in my dust. It was a group of probably ten or twelve boys. Not much competition in my eyes.

Suffice it to say I did not win first place that day. I didn’t get second or third. I came in fourth out of a field of ten boys. It was eye-opening for me. Even though it was just a low-stakes foot race on homeschool field day, it changed my perception of myself. I realized that my perception of myself didn’t accurately match my reality. I wasn’t faster than the average boy. I wasn’t going to be winning any track meets or have any kind of career in athletics.

I didn’t rekindle my love of running until I was in my thirties. I had been very infrequently running for a couple of years prior. Nothing consistent. Maybe once or twice a month, sometimes a bit more, but mostly less. I had dabbled enough to where I started to become interested in running a marathon. The dedication to training and the challenge of pushing my boundaries interested me. It was a big jump to go from not running regularly to training for a marathon. It was also exciting and allowed me to incorporate exercise in a way that gave it a greater purpose. I entered to run in the Chicago marathon, and I would be running for charity. I raised money for Smile Train, an organization that provides cleft surgery for those in need. Being part of a marathon with so many other runners was inspiring. I was hooked.

Since then, I have run five marathons. For my first marathon, I finished with a time of 4hrs 50mins. In my last marathon, I finished with a time of 3hrs 25mins. My current goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Which for me means running a marathon in under 3hrs. I will be running a marathon in April of 2023 and attempting to achieve that time. It is an attainable and realistic goal. And setting personal goals is one of the things that keeps me excited and focused on training. I believe that if you are going to do something, you should do it to the best of your ability.

Here are a few things I have learned during my time as a runner.

The reward is in the activity.

This is a big one and something that can take a while to learn. Even though it can be very beneficial to work towards and reach your goals. In your daily runs, it can fall short of keeping you motivated. When you enjoy the process of running on a regular basis, it is a much more sustainable and rewarding experience. You can think of running as the reward rather than something you must do to attain the reward. Rather than thinking about your daily runs as a means to attain a goal, like hitting a new PR or losing weight, appreciate the run in the immediate.

Progress is incremental.

Making progress takes time and consistency. It can be hard to see the progression from day to day. But when you look at your progress in weeks or months, you see that progression. The longer you stay committed to running, the more progress you will make.

Habit is a superpower.

My secret weapon for staying consistent with running is forming a well-crafted routine that makes running an essential part of my daily life. For me running is a mood booster. When I incorporate running into my daily routine, I feel happier, less anxious, and overall more fulfilled with life. This is essential for my well-being and helps me perform my responsibilities to a higher degree.

Pain is a necessary part of the process.

Running is not normally painful, but pushing your body to a different level than what it is used to can be a painful experience. And in my experience, the last few miles of a marathon can be painful. That pain shows us that we are pushing our boundaries. It allows us to know what our threshold is. How much we can push before we have to ease off a little. It allows us to grow both mentally and physically.

Thank you for reading!

Nathan

Hello friends!

The year seems to be driving at an ever-quicking pace toward its end. It’s hard to believe that October (arguably the best month of the year) is almost over. I am currently in the process of revising and rewriting the first draft of my novel. It is a somewhat daunting task, as now I want to ensure the changes I’m making are getting the story to the best version it can be. When I make a change, I want it to stick. The last thing I want to do is rewrite something only to change it again.

The whole editing process has made me consider the authenticity of my writing. Whether enough of myself is coming through on the page or, conversely, if I need to put myself into my writing at all. Does writing need a piece of the author represented in the work to be compelling? It is inevitable that some part of the author will come through, but what is the perfect balance? I feel I should preface this article by saying that the “writing” I am referencing is fiction writing. I realize there are other opinions of thought and intention to consider when it comes to non-fiction, journalism, academics, and other forms of writing.

When creating art, one of the main driving factors is self-expression. The ability to understand yourself more fully through the creation of art.

Not only does it allow us to have a better understanding of ourselves, but it also helps others as well. That when they consume your work, you have a shared experience. It allows us to connect to one another and feel what each other feels. We know that we are a part of the human experience and are not alone. It shows us that someone can express things about our existence that we did not know how to.

It is an easy idea to understand and see in others’ work. But how do we go about achieving it in our own work? My goal is to be authentic in my writing. But how do I accomplish that? What does the process look like? How does it reflect my unique experience in a way that can be relatable to others? What do I get out of the process if I genuinely express myself authentically?

It also depends on how you view authenticity. If you consider it as true to your character and personality, that sounds easy enough; write what you feel. If you view it as true to your experience, write about what you have lived. But it gets a little more complicated if you view it as being true to a shared human experience for which you can bring a voice. All of these forms of self-expression are skewed through the lens of intention. What is our end goal when creating art? Whatever it is, writing without your motivation coming through is impossible. There truly is no unbiased writing.

Even if you have a solid grasp of what authenticity means for your writing, putting it into practice can be another battle. Writers can take years of practice and exploration to get to the point where they are able to express themselves authentically. But just by asking these questions, I feel I am approaching it from the correct perspective.

By knowing yourself more fully, you can better understand how your individual experience can bring value to others. It can also help you better understand the biases you bring to your own writing. Knowing how and why you are bringing bias to your writing can be powerful. It allows you to use and direct it rather than being an unintended consequence.

The simple act of sitting down at the keyboard, daily if you can, has the ability to allow you to flow onto the page. Habits are powerful, and it is easy to fall out of the practice of daily writing. One day off can lead to many—consistency breeds progress. And for me progress in writing is a deeper connection to my own mind, to understand myself more fully, and to be able to express that to others.

Thanks for reading!

Nathan

On the topic of including your personal experience in your writing, here is an excellent post on the annotated lyrics from a great song by Colin Meloy.

Colin Meloy's Machine Shop

Annotated Songs: June Hymn

Read more

4 years ago · 70 likes · 37 comments · Colin Meloy

The cicada’s call cut clear and sharp through the still night air.

The boys started school this week. For the first time, all three of my boys are in school. We sent the youngest off with some hesitation but mostly excited for him to experience all the good school brings. He had a great first day, As they all did. He is making friends and doing everything associated with that beautiful time called kindergarten.

It has made me contemplate the changing time, the seasons of our life, and the natural flow of our world. As summer ends, we settle into a new and different routine than we enjoyed over the past three months. We spent the majority of the summer camping. Which meant we were always very close. And we were traveling. As with all good things, summer has come to an end. This means we are done camping for the season. But that doesn’t mean we will forget any of the experiences we had. We will carry them with us.

We carry many things with us in life. Whether we are always conscious of it or not, we are always collecting things. It is what we do with these things we collect that matters. You have many skills and strengths that may be hidden from you—figuring out how to unlock them. How to use them to reach your full potential is the challenging part.

As we are in the changing season, it reveals in stark contrast the physical, intellectual, and emotional changes we each go through. The green of summer fades to yellow, orange, and brown as life prepares to insulate through the long winter. Fall is a great time to take stock of what you have accomplished during the year and prepare your goals for next year.

As much as I lament summer coming to an end, the autumn season holds a special place in my heart. The humid heat gives way to crisp fall air. I feel that this time of year, perhaps more than any other, is ripe with possibilities. It is a season of preparation and planning.

It is the perfect time to start your new endeavor during these transitions, as it marks a unique place in the year. You can look back a year from now and see all your progress.

It is easy to feel like it is too late to start on your passion project. Like you somehow missed the starting bell, that you are too far behind, you will never catch up. But like the seasons, life is cyclical, giving you a new start if you are willing to take it. There is no beginning and end point when you are allowed to follow after your dreams, only seasons. And each season is a great time to make a change for the better.

Don’t assume you are starting from square one with any new endeavor you set your mind to. You have a trove of experience that can benefit you if you can unlock it. Think about times in your life when you had to use skills that could help you attain your goals. Patience, determination, organization, endurance, planning, foresight, problem-solving, reflection, and flexibility.

An excellent place to start is to write your idea down. Getting an idea down on paper (or, more likely, on your phone’s notes app) can work like magic to start you in the process of change. Somehow it takes your idea from an intangible thing and makes it real. It gets the idea out of your head and puts it into the world. Which helps you believe you can achieve it and keeps you accountable for taking steps to complete it.

Thanks for reading,

Nathan

What I’m listening to.

What I’m reading.

The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda

Hello & happy Friday!

Most things worth pursuing have a barrier of entry, which means you can’t expect to be great right from the start. You need to build up your skillset over time in order to accomplish your goals. To do this, it is important to finish what we start and develop a habit of following through.

Think about each small task as a single piece of a larger puzzle. With every piece you add, you get closer to forming the habit of following through. A well-formed habit is like a completed puzzle, every piece fitting together to help you reach your goal.

When we do not finish what we start, we miss out on the fulfillment of achievement and set ourselves up for failure before we even start our next venture.

Everything you do, make sure you fully finish to the best of your ability. Success comes with forming a healthy habit. And the best way to create a habit is through repetition. It seems obvious, but you have to put in the work to see the results.

Think about things you do daily and make it a priority to finish them. Making your bed in the morning will start you off in the right mindset. When doing the dishes, don’t stop halfway through. Respond to texts and emails right away instead of putting them off for later. Simple tasks like this—while they may seem trivial—can lead to much bigger accomplishments.

Why is it important? Healthy habits often start as small changes in your life. These small changes have a ripple effect on your behavior. Forming the simple pattern of finishing what you start will have many long-lasting benefits that will help you accomplish your long-term goals.

In the same way that small healthy habits lead to long-term results, small unhealthy or damaging habits do the same. Get into the habit of not finishing the things you start. You may find it negatively affects your life in more significant ways, such as a lack of commitment, fear of taking on more responsibility, and difficulty following through.

Once you are in the habit of finishing everything you start, more significant projects will be easier to stick with. Be selective about what projects you take on. If it does not seem like something you will be able to follow through on, consider a smaller project before you take on a bigger one.

Define your goals from the start and quantify what success will mean for you. Everyone has different ideas of what success or finishing a task means. Let's say your goal was to become a skier. To one person, that might mean making it down the bunny hill without falling, others might want to tackle the black diamond before they feel accomplished; still, others may want to tear it up on the jumps.

Break up the big projects into smaller tasks that you can easily complete. Completing each more minor task will develop a habit; once the pattern is formed, you will find it hard not to finish every task you take on, no matter the size.

On the note of this week’s newsletter, I have an exciting announcement to share with you all.

I wrote a book!

It feels good to say! I finished my manuscript. Now I am in the editing stage. I have plans to publish it later this year. So keep an eye out for future announcements. I can’t wait to share it with you all!

An Admin note.

Since I will be busy editing my novel, I will only post to this newsletter monthly during the summer. Once I finish the editing stage, I will return to the bi-weekly platform.

Thanks for reading!

Focusing on your individual experience may seem somewhat self-centered at first blush. Images of social media influences and inspirational quotes on coffee mugs and reclaimed wooden panels may pop into your mind. As an artist, it is crucial to our experience to discover and articulate your individual experience. If you wish to be able to put something positive into the world, it can be helpful to first look inward to understand the value of your experience. Then you can bring that value to others. Every person has a unique perspective and experience in life. Truly understanding what yours is can take time and exploration.

Many times big ideas in life can be represented in the smallest actions. Things that we could miss if we are not paying attention. Or maybe we are not accustomed to looking with intention (more on that later). 

Here is a personal anecdote that gave me insight into finding value in unexpected places. It is spring which means our yard is speckled with yellow dandelions. We don't use any weed killers because the flowers are good for the bees. Also, the fear that one of our boys would get it on them while playing has come to mind. The other day I was sitting in the car in the driveway when I observed a male sparrow hopping along through the fresh green grass.

He was focused and intent on his purpose. In his mouth, he held a tuft of yellow. He paused for a moment before plucking more soft yellow flowers off of a nearby dandelion. Then a female sparrow landed gently by his side and inspected his haul. She glanced around at the surrounding yard keeping a watchful eye while the male continued to gather. They hopped together in perfect synchronization. When the male could hold no more, they both flew off together. 

What I was struck by while I observed my avian friends was how deeply I could relate to them. In the short time I observed them, I saw a microcosm of my and my wife's relationship. The movements between them, the patience and watchful eyes as they surveyed their surroundings. The way they worked towards a shared goal. It was all so familiar. Whether they observed my presence or not they were able to teach me something. We shared a kinship. 

This is true as well for anyone who tells their story. There is always someone who will be able to relate to you. Your story may affect them deeply whether you know it or not. There may be more people than you think who have experienced something similar to you but have not been able to articulate their experience. Sharing your experience can be inspiring.

Diligent note-taking.

Finding clarity when discovering your personal experience requires diligent note-taking. It can be as simple as jotting down notes in an app, journaling, or starting a publication. These are good ways to get aspects of your experience down on paper. This allows you to clearly collect and sort through your internal monologue. As you work through your writings you may see a story start to emerge, even if what you are writing seems like random musings there is much to be gleaned from it.

Courage and perspective.

Developing your personal experience is beneficial for yourself as well as others. By exploring your personal story, you can come to realizations and clarity about who you are that you may not have arrived at otherwise. Think of it as a journey of discovery and your true self is the goal. This can take courage, through every step of the journey, but the reward is worth it. 

Intentional observation. 

When I was in my senior year of art school, we had a project assigned to us in a Typography class. The assignment was to take a walk around our block, then observe our surroundings and make notes of what we saw. Once we had done our walk and taken our notes we were to turn them into a typographic poster. I was astounded at the results, everyone had fixated on a different element of their surroundings. What stood out as an important element of the environment to some was completely different than what was important to others. Try this exercise for yourself and see what stands out to you. It will do two things for you. Not only will it bring to light what is an important element in the environment that surrounds your life. But it will also change how you think about observing your surroundings. The simple act of looking with intention can lead to you seeing the world from a different perspective.

Everyone has a unique perspective and a story to tell. Though it may take courage to tell it, the world deserves for it to be told. There is always something to be learned from the stories of others. While observing the sparrows, I was able to articulate a simple but profound truth. If you find someone you can trust completely and watch as they gather, collecting all of the dandelion flowers life offers. They will diligently watch as you gather as well. You will have a partner with equal stakes in the relationship, and you will both reap the rewards. 

Think about how someone can benefit from the story you have to tell.

Thanks for reading,

Nathan

Contrary to what click-bait videos and social gurus would have you believe, overnight success stories are a myth. No one gets where they are overnight. Most people who will tell you differently are trying to sell you something. And for most people that are wildly successful, their success came only after many failures. The key is to keep going.

The important thing about lasting long-term success is to learn skills along the way. As you grow, learn and collect skills, you put yourself in a position to capitalize when the opportunity presents itself.

In his article Six Figures in 6 Days designer Traf talks about how it took him seven years to achieve what looked to many like an overnight success. He writes,

Sure, it took me 6 days to amass 3,626 sales for a total of $101,528, but like any overnight success, it was years in the making. In my case, about 7 years.

I encourage you to read his article, as it gives a good perspective on the work that goes into what we assume is an overnight success.

When I initially started training to run my first marathon, I would get up at 6:00am every morning for my daily run before work. There was something so serene and reflective about being the only person out at that time. Just as dawn was breaking. The first day was hard, and the second day was hard, but day after day it became easier. I slowly became faster and my stamina grew. After a few months of training, I ran the Chicago marathon. I finished with a time of well over five hours. Which was great, my only goal was to finish.

I absolutely fell in love with it. So I kept running consistently and the next year I ran it again, that time I shaved over an hour off of my previous years time. With each run my confidence grew as did my conditioning. I had put in the work, so it became easier to jump back into training when race time came around. The following year I decided to run in the Des Moines marathon. I finished with a time of 3:29:15. I would never have been able to run a marathon in that time if it were not for the countless hours and thousands of miles of training that had come before it.

If you want to reach your goals it helps to be persistent. Your persistence will payoff not just in success. Which you will look easy to those on the outside. But you will gain skills and experience along the way that compound in profound ways. Leading to more fulfilling work and greater returns for your effort. Here are some ways I have found to stay persistent in working towards a goal.

Get excited and stay excited.

To maintain quality work as you move towards your goals, you need to be excited about the work you are creating. Being excited about your work isn’t so much of a prerequisite as it is a by-product. When you find the thing that drives you to create, fills you with inspiration, and energizes you every day, it is hard to stop working. If your current work does not excite you, there is a good chance you working on the wrong project.

Focus on efficiency over structure.

When talking about striking in MMA, it is said that precision beats powers and timing beats speed. In the same way, when working towards your goals, efficient work beats hard work, and sustainable action beats big moves. if you can find a working routine that is sustainable over time, the rewards will be far greater than working so hard that you burnout and need to take a break from your project. Momentum can be very hard to gain and easy to lose. Especially when starting something new.

Focus on the short term, while working towards the long term.

For me, it is easy to become distracted by long-term goals. I find that I am much happier and more content when I put those out of my mind and focus solely on the task at hand. Not only does it ground me to the present, but I find that it furthers my ultimate goal of creating quality work. Think about each task you work on as a unique stone block you will need to build a pyramid. Each block requires your full attention so it will be precise, perfect, and unique so it fits exactly right. The act of stacking each block on the next is your work ethic, if you do not give each block your full attention, they will not fit together to create the finished pyramid and allow you to reach the summit. Keep the pyramid in the back of your mind, but focus your energy on creating beautiful blocks.

For all of you who are working towards goals right now, keep going! Stay persistent and your hard work will payoff.

Thanks for reading,

Nathan

Here is a good thing to read this week.

How to Read Intelligently and Write a Great Essay: Robert Frost’s Letter of Advice to His Young Daughter. By Maria Popova

Happy Friday!

Keeping it short and sweet this week with a few tips to get you out of a creative rut.

Ever have one of those days or weeks where creating seems nearly impossible? Just looking at the blank page/screen seems to cause physical discomfort? Creative fatigue generally affects me differently than normal fatigue. It doesn’t necessarily come when I am at my most tired and worn out, although that doesn’t help the situation. Mostly creative fatigue comes from too much repetition. Performing the same creative task over and over. But what if it’s your job to be creative? Then you have to come up with new ways to recharge your creative battery. 

Define whether you have creative fatigue or you are simply suffering from burnout. These two things can have different causes and therefore different ways to remedy them. Burnout is more severe and most likely the result of multiple factors, including being generally overworked, overtired, and suffering from too much stress and anxiety. The fix for burnout might be different than the advice I have found to work for creative fatigue. Although some of these tips may help with both. If you are suffering from burnout the best thing to do might be to fully disconnect for a time. Take a vacation if you can, or just take time off of work. Use mental health days if you have them. 

Having a strict schedule of when you are expected to create can lead to fatigue. As it puts extra pressure on you to create. This can make it more stressful and can change the way you think about creating. Changing it from something you get to do, to something you have to do. Obligations are always less enjoyable than things we choose for ourselves. So flexibility is key to avoiding creative fatigue. As creatives, we are incredibly blessed to have a job that lets us use our expression on a daily basis. Given this, it can be challenging when we run into creative fatigue. Here are a few ways I have found to combat this.

1. Creative constraints.

Limit the tools you use to create. Necessity breeds innovation. In the same way, creating constraints for yourself will help you find new and meaningful ways to approach and solve creative problems. You may find an exciting new way of creating, that can lead to a more fulfilling experience. It will also interrupt your routine, breaking the monotony of your process.

1. Change your view.

An easy and effective way to boost your creative energy is a change of scenery. Changing the location where you create can give you new inspiration. It's like taking a breath of fresh air when you have been indoors for days. It just feels good to have a change of scenery sometimes and that will come through in your process.

1. Create something different.

Find an alternative to create that is not your normal job or the normal creative endeavor that has you feeling fatigued. Try creating music, gardening or baking. These each require a different skillset that is easy to pick up but difficult to master. You will find that using a separate part of your brain to accomplish these tasks will recharge your other creative energies.

1. Exercise.

It seems like this is the fix-all advice, but it really does help with many mental issues. It also gives your mind a break, where you don’t have to focus on creating. It can be very meditative. You might find that not only is your body recharged but your mind is as well. Exercise can also boost your overall mood by releasing endorphins, which can help lift you out of a creative rut. 

1. Take a break.

Taking a break from creating is sometimes the best solution to help get past creative fatigue. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. This rings true with creating as well. A self-imposed break from creating can do wonders. Even if you love what you are doing, taking a break will help keep you sane and fuel your next creative pursuits. 

Hope this helps you if are feeling stuck!

Nathan

Here is a good thing to read this week.

1. Rare Thoughts on Writing From Cormac McCarthy in This Unlikely Interview It Only Took Two Arizona High School Students to Get Answers From the Legendarily Reclusive Author. By Murray Carpenter

To say that I have always loved my past self would be a lie. When creating design work there have been many times after finishing something, that I feel like I have not done my best work. I put it aside and come back to it later Hopefully, I will appreciate the hard work I put into it by that time. Most of the time I do. Looking back on old photos of yourself it can be easy to not like the person you see. Maybe it's an ill-advised hairstyle or a bad outfit choice, I’m looking at you, tight skinny jeans and a v-neck tee. Or It could be something you said to someone without thinking, the word vomit that seems to come back to haunt you as you fall asleep. Or the way you treated someone that you wish you could take back. Or bad decisions made in your youth. There are many levels to our past selves which can be hard to accept.

Here’s why you should embrace your past self.  

Life is messy, dirty, and primal. When I was little my grandma used to pick me up for our days together, she would take me to the mall and we would walk around, go to the arcade, and then she would always sit me down and clean the dirt from under my fingernails. That's enough to pot a plant. Her favorite line. You forget as an adult how crucial to your existence as a boy digging in the dirt is. I see the same things with my boys who are now the age I was then. Dirt and noise and skinned knees are all common around our house. As I’m sure any parents with multiple boys can attest.

Every part of your past has shaped the person you are today, and the person you will become. Want to be a better version of yourself as you grow. Embrace your past self, every flaw, every imperfection. It will lead you to a place of self-reflection that can open your mind to who you can be. When you embrace your past self, you give your present self permission to live with abandon. If you can love yourself at your worst, you will continue to love yourself even when you make mistakes. Because the person you were is the person you are today. You are still you regardless of the scars you gain along the way, even when circumstances change, you are still you. Be gracious with yourself, be kind with yourself when you feel you are most fragile.

The past version of you was not perfect, and neither will be the future you. Even when we do our best to continually learn and grow and better ourselves, the only person who will ever truly appreciate it is you. Yet the only person you are working for is not always just yourself. Most of us have—or will have at some point in our lives—dependents, our children, families who rely on us. This can be incredibly rewarding and wonderful and one of the most important things you will do with your life. But they should not be the sole source of your fulfillment. Inner peace and contentment come from loving and accepting yourself throughout every stage of your life.

Accept all of it, as well as the beautiful parts of your past. Don’t feel like those beautiful cherished moments are all behind you. They are with you, and you can have just as many wonderful, beautiful moments in your future. If you allow yourself to. Permit yourself to explore new things, even as you grow older you can have new experiences. Follow what you are curious about, chase it down, and explore every outlet. Use all of your past experiences to fuel your future ones. Don’t let the fear of losing what you have built stop you from taking chances on new things.

Within the journey of life, the sooner we can accept the fact that we are all flawed and that life itself is flawed the sooner we can start to love and embrace the flaws. It can be difficult to look unblinking at life, especially our past, and accept it as it is. But when you do, it frees you to live.

Thanks for reading,

Nathan

During the month of December of 2021, my wife and I committed to running every day. We ran three miles a day and did not miss a single day. I’m not going to lie, it was rough. Not that it was difficult to actually run the three miles. We have both been runners for years and are used to running distances much greater than this. It was just mentally tiring and boring. The same thing every single day. 

I was happy when January came around and I could finally have a break. I was looking forward to getting back to my normal routine of running a few times a week. But something unexpected happened on Jan 4th, after a few days off I started again and then the next day, and the day after that. I have run every day since, and it has been easier than I ever thought it would. 

That month of doing the same thing every day, formed a habit so strong that even though I thought I wouldn’t want to continue, I did anyway. It has become so ingrained in me that it comes as second nature now, my internal clock reminds me when it is time to run. It is now something I really enjoy doing every day. Developing a strong habit helped me push through the painful period to find joy in the process.

The importance of play.

When we are having fun our mind is free to explore, create and experiment in ways that we are not always able to. Getting messy sometimes creates the most beautiful pictures. If you can find a way to incorporate play into your process, you will increase your joy immensely. As well as increasing your productivity, and avoiding burnout.

Throw yourself into the process.

I'm reminded of a story I once heard about Jackson Pollock, an artist who elevated process over everything when creating his art. The story was that at times Pollock was so in the moment in his process that a cigarette butt would fall and become part of the painting. Leaving a part of the artist in his work. I never spotted one when I viewed his work at The Art Institute Of Chicago, but I heard from people who had. If you ever get the chance to view one of his paintings look closely, you may spot one.

Practice gratitude.

Gratitude fundamentally changes the way your brain works. When you practice gratitude you keep a childlike wonder and apperception for life. Which can make even seemingly mundane tasks a rewarding experience. Appreciate the good, and change the way you view the bad. There is almost always good to be found if you look for it. Think of bad things as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Stop looking ahead and start enjoying the present.

Looking too far ahead can rob you of the joy of the moment. It is hard to be present when we are constantly looking ahead to a far-off goal. It can also be counterproductive, as it can hinder your creative process. Which can lead to you becoming stuck more easily. When we try to actively live in the present, our immediate actions take on a new purpose and importance.

Now I have a question for you.

What is something that you find joy in, and is there anything else in your day that is an opportunity to create joy?

Thanks for reading,

Nathan

Happy Friday!

This week I wanted to share some thoughts on imposter syndrome. Hope you find the information useful. Thank you for your continued support!

Believing a fallacy. 

I think most of us have felt this at some point in our lives. That voice in the back of your mind that tells you that you are not good enough, not qualified enough, not talented enough, have not earned your place. The fear that you will be found out for what you are, a fraud. You could never compete with your idols. You will never be part of the tightly guarded circle, and if you dare to try you will be ridiculed for it. Regardless of our accomplishments these thoughts still persist. 

Imposter syndrome takes many forms, yet they all share one thing. That they are the manifestation of all our insecurities. I want to focus on that word our. Because at the core they are our feelings about ourselves and have no real merit outside of ourselves. Yes, outside influences are very real and can negatively affect our self-esteem. But when it comes to imposter syndrome, it is about how we perceive and internalize these outside influences that make all the difference.  

You are your own gatekeeper.

When it comes to following your curiosity to create and learn, there are truly no gatekeepers. We have all been beholden to the lie that to enter certain fields whether it be professional, artistic, or social you must go through the predetermined channels. You must go to the right school, be in the right club, know the right people, have a certain amount of experience. It is simply not true that you must do any of these things in order to contribute and create. Give yourself permission to feel confident in what you set your mind to.

I want to let you in on a secret, the simple act of trying and following your curiosity is enough to qualify your experience. This puts you in league with everyone you admire. Everyone that has exceeded in their field started out in the same place, as someone who was driven to discover. Following their curiosity to learn, grow, expand their knowledge, to hone their craft. To discover more about themselves and the world by proximity. 

If you feel like you don’t have it all figured out, that you are not quite where you want to be in life, that's okay. Because all those people you admire, don’t have it all figured out either. It's worthy of praise to accept the current stage that you are in. Learning is a journey, and we all are at a different place in that journey. No one ever truly reaches the end, but if we can be content with where we are, that is a gift.

Your perspective is unique and that has value.

The way you approach life, your thoughts, and your ideas are completely unique to you. This is incredibly valuable because no one can bring to the table what you can. By embracing what makes you unique, you bring value to others. What may be obvious to you might never have occurred to someone else who doesn’t think the same way you do.

A few things that can help quiet these feelings.

Keep learning

Continue to learn, not with the goal of becoming the greatest expert in your field. Because becoming an expert won't help with imposter syndrome. In fact, some of the most successful people may feel imposter syndrome to an even greater degree. Having the mindset of a student will help you keep an open mind to new ideas, and prevent you from comparing your accomplishments to others.

Follow your curiosity.

Pursuing the things that you are curious about will keep the spark of creativity alive. It will keep you excited to learn and grow. Rather than settling into a routine with the things you already know and feel accomplished in. It will keep you in a learners mindset. 

Realize that you are not always in the spotlight.

We tend to get caught up in thinking that we are constantly being judged and critiqued by others. When in reality most people are more focused on themselves than they are on others. All of the little things we stress over people judging, most of the time will go completely unnoticed by others.

Understand that you are not alone.

Feeling isolated is something that can easily lead to feelings of imposter syndrome. It is important to have a strong community of support around you. Finding and sharing with others in healthy relationships will boost feelings of inclusion. Which will lead to less intrusive thoughts of imposter syndrome. 

Mind and body.

Imposter syndrome is very closely related to inferiority complex. Like many mental issues, it is tied closely to the overall health of our body. Having a healthy diet and exercise will help ease anxiety by increasing endorphins. This can help with feelings of inferiority complex and imposter syndrome.

Thanks for reading,

Nathan

Hello and Happy New Year! 

Let me first start by saying thank you! Thank you for trusting me with your inbox, as you join me on my writing journey. I will try my best to honor your trust by producing high-quality articles for you to enjoy.

While I had something else planned for this issue I have decided to postpone it in place of this week's subject. Which seems to be more of what I need a helpful reminder of. 

The secret ingredient, which will lead to success in almost anything that you set your mind to is consistency.

What drives more people's success is not that they are more passionate or have greater ideas or are more innately skilled in their craft. The truth is that what makes people more successful than others is that they are more consistent in the pursuit of their goals. 

As we approach the new year most of us will have personal goals. We may want to start exercising on a more regular basis or eat healthier. We want to spend more time talking with loved ones, change careers or read more. In my case write more. These changes come with a lot of challenges. If we want to see results we have to be consistent in our approach as we work towards our goals. It is easier said than done. 

Working through the pain

When we first start trying to change our habits for the better we go through a painful period while we are adjusting. The thing about repetition and habits is that they are hard to break. This is a good and bad thing. It is hard to form new habits, many times they conflict with our already existing habits which we do not want to give up. The good side of this is that once we form new good habits and have a system in place to sustain these routines they become just as hard to break. Forming good habits in pursuit of your goals will lead to prolonged success. So during this first painful period, it is important to remember that it will get easier. With a fully formed habit, it will become like second nature. The things you once thought were incredibly difficult or maybe even impossible will come naturally. 

Managing distractions

Distractions are just that. Take note of how you spend your time. Time is your greatest asset and if you are spending too much of it on things that do not further your goals, you will find it difficult to reach them. If you are like me, looking at my phone can be a big distraction. Monitor your screen time to see exactly how much of your time you are spending on what apps. You may be surprised by the results. If you are spending too much time on certain apps (for me it was Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) try putting a daily time limit on them. If you find that you are still spending too much time on them consider removing them from your phone. You can still access them on the computer but you will find you may not miss them as much as you think and you will give yourself the gift or more time.

Developing systems for good habits

Forming good habits to achieve success is no easy task. So the more we can do to help us stick to our good routines the better. One thing you can do to help you stick to your routine is to develop a system that promotes that routine. Set reminders and organize your schedule to accommodate your routine. Reward yourself when you finish your task for the day or when you make good choices. Automate anything you can. The easiest way to save money is to have it automatically deducted from your paycheck and deposited into your savings. Think about other areas in your life that could be automated, this can take a lot of the pressure off of you and help to build better habits.

Enjoying the process 

It is important for you to be at peace and happy with where you are currently. It may sound counterintuitive to be content with where you are while working to become better, but the truth is that seeing results takes time. Consistent behavior over time equals results. Finding joy in the process and not just the results will lead you to be more fulfilled and happy. You will be less likely to get discouraged, which will lead to you sticking with your routine, leading you to achieve your goals.

Creating healthy feedback loops

Feedback loops occur in numerous ways in our lives every day. It is important to identify them and change the ones that are affecting us in negative ways to work for us in positive ways. Here’s an example. You are feeling tired in the afternoon so you have coffee to keep you going. Then you can’t sleep well that night because of the caffeine, so you are tired again the next day. For this example getting a healthy night's sleep could make you less tired for the next day, so you wouldn't need that afternoon coffee. If you repeated this you would change the unhealthy feedback loop into a healthy one. The more healthy feedback loops in your life the easier it will be to be consistent with your routine. 

Don't feel like you need to be good right away

As I mentioned progress takes time. A lot of time. Don’t feel like you need to be perfect right away. Perfection is impossible. Progress will come with consistency. No one starts as an expert. But over time with consistent progress, you will achieve your goals.

Thanks for reading!

Nathan

Let me first start with a personal anecdote. I recently made a repair on our garden shed. We (my wife and three boys) live in an eighty-year-old Dutch colonial, it has its fair share of upkeep. I have done things like refurbishing the hardwood floors (previously covered in carpet!) replacing light fixtures and general paint and light plumbing. Needless to say, I am no expert on DIY home repair. 

Back to the garden shed, this was a bigger job. It was an inherited problem from the previous owners, which I had put off for the eight years we have lived in our home. A leak in the roof had caused dry rot in the wall of the shed. It had gotten so bad that the wall was almost completely gone. Only covered by a layer of vinyl siding on the outside not original to the shed. The support beams were crumbling, and the rot had spread to the floor of the shed, which would also need to be replaced.

When I would look at the massive rotting hole in the wall, it seemed so daunting that I always found something else to do/fix before tackling the project. It had been on my to-do list for a while and it was becoming a safety hazard. So I swallowed my apprehension and set aside time on the weekend to get started. After a lot of measuring, creating a list of supplies, and watching many YouTube videos, I headed to Home Depot. 

Loaded up with wood, screws, and two new power saws, I finally made the first cut to remove the rot. Cutting out all of the rotting wood was such a satisfying experience. Replacing the wall, support beams and floor with new wood felt even better. There is no better feeling than finishing a big project and accomplishing your goals.

My wife has an idiom for when something seems too large and unmanageable. She likes to say “How do you eat an elephant?” and the punchline “One bite at a time.” This analogy while slightly taboo — my wife and I are both vegetarians — sums up how to approach any task and make progress while not becoming overwhelmed. You must plan and develop a good working routine in order to achieve your goal.

When approaching a big task, the steps to achieve it are relatively consistent no matter what the project is. It all starts with simply starting. (Groundbreaking I know.) Sometimes the biggest hurdle we face is the first one we encounter, to start what we have thought about doing.

This is an incredibly easy step to overlook and even easier to put off. Think about it, how many times have you told yourself that you would get to it tomorrow, or maybe in a week. Only to end up getting discouraged or forgetting about it. When we put something off we run the risk of losing it altogether. 

Some of our most brilliant projects, ideas, and art are at risk of being lost to the ether, if not acted on immediately. So instead of putting it off, I suggest doing the bare minimum, the absolute smallest thing you can do to start. The simple act of taking immediate action to start the task will trick your brain into the mindset set that you have accomplished far more. 

Once you have started your project develop a daily routine to continue working on your project. Make sure it is manageable enough that you can come back to it every single day. It is best to work on your project little by little each day and develop consistency, this will lead to more mindful work and help you build a habit and workflow to accomplish your goals.

Here are a few things you can do to jumpstart your workflow and boost your productivity.

1. Work in small increments. 

Little tasks add up big to boost your productivity. Doing small tasks and completing them will give you a sense of fulfillment which will continue to pay dividends as you work through your project.

2. Plan ahead.

Planning and proper organization are critical to completing large projects. Define your goals from the start. Write them down, and come back to them often. It is easier to work towards and accomplish your goals if they are clearly defined.

3. Track your progress.

Tracking your progress can help you maintain momentum. It is easy to get discouraged when working on a large project if it feels like you are not making any progress. Tracking your progress can give you motivation, by rewarding you for reaching milestones.

4. Evaluate success.

Determine what success looks like for your project. This is an important step because success can be different for everyone. Define what it means to you and work until you reach it. Once you reach it redefine it and create another goal to push towards.

5. Make it a habit.

Form a habit of making time to work on your project. Making a habit of choosing to work on your project every day is the easiest way to make progress to accomplishing your goal.

Thanks for reading!

Nathan

This is The Freeform, a newsletter about creativity, process & productivity.

It will be delivered to your inbox once a month. It may have an essay, an article about creative productivity, or a short story. The idea is that is it will not conform to a specific structure for every issue. It will change and flow as an expression of my current writing.

If this sounds interesting to you please subscribe! I would love to have you along for the journey.

Sincerely,

Nathan

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