And how I maintain that is a simple practice, one that doesn’t demand too much but allows me to explore.
Here are the rules – every post must:
That is it.
This blog exists as a scratch pad, a way to test out ideas. No matter the medium (image or video as well as writing), as long as I am trying out a “point” or exercising a point a view, I’ve done what I needed to do for the day and I built the way forward for tomorrow.
That is why depression is severe for me.
Everything seems like a big deal. Showering, writing, leaving the apartment. All of it feels like a big deal.
Then a cycle begins. I hide from new experiences (missed appointments, phone calls, and events) and then I feel ashamed. From that, I look for comfort (silence, food) to get away from the shame.
This loop is harsh to me because I get joy from new impulse. New environments are electric because they provide new ideas.
As a result, I find comfort, even when it doesn’t make sense, even when I know that those new experiences will electrify me.
On the way to a funeral this week, I wondered what this blog was. What does this do for me?
Last night, in the middle of an uncomfortable new impulse (I forced myself to get to see Terrace Martin, who was AMAZING) I realized what it is.
This blog saves me.
This blog saves me because I know I am forced to write about something, everyday. I can’t go to sleep without saying I was uncomfortable for at least 25-30 minutes, trying to create.
What saves you?
As I walk around on this American holiday, it makes me think why can’t every day be independence day?
Freedom.
https://apis.google.com/js/platform.js
function onYtEvent(payload) {
if (payload.eventType == ‘subscribe’) {
// Add code to handle subscribe event.
} else if (payload.eventType == ‘unsubscribe’) {
// Add code to handle unsubscribe event.
}
if (window.console) { // for debugging only
window.console.log(‘YT event: ‘, payload);
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Use this make sure that project launches. If you enjoyed this, subscribe on YouTube – https://t.co/Rpjo5HmFK3 pic.twitter.com/ILjX9ZxWIM
— Life As Usual Blog (@LifeAsUsualBlog) January 21, 2017
After quitting my job, I had this idea that I would take a few weeks, do some travel, and let my mind relax. It was one of the fantasies I had, going out in the world with friends, avoiding the New York winter, and having a good time. It was a beautiful dream.
I didn’t do any thing like that.
I went in the opposite direction. I started working harder. I started hunting for projects right away. I connected and reconnected, put forth a few ideas, and gave my white board some serious pen love. It paid off. At my last count, I am working on seven different projects with seven different teams.
There is a part of me that doesn’t want to give up the work. There is a voice in my head that gets scared, and says if I calm down, I won’t matter, and if I don’t matter, I don’t exist.
Luckily for me most of the projects I am working on are on a short-term basis or long-term enough for me to take a break. I am circling the date of April 9th, my birthday, as the time to take a week or two off and give myself a vacation.
Making this public so I can’t back out. Hold me to it.
The store isn’t closed until the store closes. That means, the doors are open to go shop.
Yes, you still can shop, even if it’s a few minutes before the store is closed.
The inventory inside still has value. The cashier might want to leave, but she’ll stay.
You don’t do anyone in the situation any favor by holding off. So if you need something, go ahead and buy.
It’s still good.
This week I talked about sleep.
When I started this, I was very scared of putting myself on video, so I got the courage and put myself in the arena, killing a lot of bad self talk.This gives me the chance to work on my communication skills, start a new medium, and experiment!
Once a week, after I have thought about them, I will give them a day here on the blog.
These aren’t just promotion posts (although they are, please watch and share 
) I want to take the time to break them down and try to clarify what I want to communicate and the tactical things I learned through doing.
If you enjoyed the video, and if you want to get on the ride, please,subscribe to my YouTube channel, and join my Facebook page where I post them every Sunday night.
Sleep is critical to any type of thinking you do. If you want to be at your best, please take the time to integrate sleep in your schedule. The idea of sleeping when your dead will leave you mentally dead instead.
This week I talked about trust.
When I started this, I was very scared of putting myself on video, so I got the courage and put myself in the arena, killing a lot of bad self talk.This gives me the chance to work on my communication skills, start a new medium, and experiment!
Once a week, after I have thought about them, I will give them a day here on the blog.
These aren’t just promotion posts (although they are, please watch and share ) I want to take the time to break them down and try to clarify what I want to communicate and the tactical things I learned through doing.
If you enjoyed the video, and if you want to get on the ride, please,subscribe to my YouTube channel, and join my Facebook page where I post them every Sunday night.
Trust is a fragile cycle, but worth all the padding in the world because it colors all of our decisions. It’s quite simple – if we are in a place where we can’t trust or aren’t trusted, we can’t work our absolute best.
From the desk of Adam Thomas 