Get Less Myopic

Emotional investment is a beautiful, ragged thing. I care about the work I do. Sometimes that makes me better at it. Sometimes that makes me shortsighted in tunnel vision. That goes for writing, theater, teaching, any vocation to which I devote my time. 

It goes better when I balance out my emotional investments. Instead of exhausting me, when I sprinkle investment into my personal life in the same amount as my professional and creative life, I get less myopic.

That said, if I try to put all my psychic energy into everything, of course yes, I get tapped out. So don't try to put everything into everything, but spread what I already put into one place over a wider surface. It gets lopsided when I put all my heart into one project.

Pulling back, a little distance is important. A little more space for self and family and loved ones. In that way, give back to sustainable practice.

I've been teaching a lot this spring. In small classes, a lot of energy goes into each student. I want to make sure they're having a good time, as well as learning. But sometimes, one isn't.

Similar to spreading my focus over my life instead of all in one area, for the rest of the class, I can't give everything over to one student who doesn't want to be there, forsaking the others who do, though my gut impulse is to hold on tightly to not lose that one. I can try my best, but the choice is their own in the end.

I want this work to matter to everyone who is present. But I can't force interest. Forcing anything doesn't help creativity or learning. 

See the big picture.

Widen the surface area for less tunnel vision. Photo Susanne Feldt

PS: Due to a scheduling shift, until further notice, Notes will take on a weekly Friday posting instead of Wednesdays. Thanks for reading!