Every year, I edit the list of accounts that I follow on Instagram. While I realize that social media has its downsides, I like to maintain Instagram as a form of therapy.
This week’s thought on writing: Why not purge a little?
I callously unfollow any account that I can remember making me unhappy in any way, even if I like the person or company or whatever. It is the Marie Kondo method of cleansing - did this account bring me joy this year? The answer comes in a split second. If it’s a no, then I unfollow and don’t question it.
I went through this process a few days ago. Then I popped on Instagram this morning. In the course of twenty minutes, I laughed, I cried, I was inspired, I was uplifted, and I got several writing ideas out of it. Hope was restored.
Can you do this with the rest of your life? Could you purge what’s become unhelpful? Or have you become overly precious with what you’ve written into your life?
Stephen King warns the writer not to be precious with the words they’ve already written. “When you write a story, you're telling yourself the story,” he says. “When you rewrite, your main job is taking out all the things that are not the story.” You cannot be afraid to cut what’s not working.
There is no shame in having less if what’s left still works. Writing is rewriting, so why shouldn’t it be the same for your life? Do not become precious. Delete what isn’t working for you, no matter how much you once liked it. Ask yourself if it still fits. You'll know the answer.
Somethings I’ve written recently:
I am so happy to report that my first piece of fiction, “The Roofers,” has been published in Loft Books Issue VI. Proof that even when you’ve submitted something fifteen times (true story), do not give up hope; keep submitting.
Then I wrote about three Christmas movie dinner pairings on my blog with a list of holiday content I’ve written in recent years (some shameless self-promotion that I’ve also copied below).
Holiday Hosting Tips from Cookbook Author Tim Mulligan
What I Told my Son When he Asked me to tell him the truth: "Are you Santa?"
3 Solid Christmas Albums That Don't Require Skipping (Still Holds up)
and A Cozy Winter Apple and Pear Crumble Recipe
And somethings I’ve been reading/watching/listening to:
Reading: I read How the Grinch Stole Christmas! with my son this week. I know my nights of bedtime picture books are coming to an end, so I was thankful when he brought it to me to read to him; it really does never get old.
I got to feel smart when I devoured Lauren Groff’s short story in the New Yorker, “Between the Shadow and the Soul,” and validated when I read this piece at LitHub, “20 Famous Writers on Being Rejected.”
My favorite quote was from Sam Lipsyte: “The bullshit never ends.” Amen, brother.
Watching: I watched Nutcrackers with Ben Stiller on Hulu last night. It wasn’t what I was expecting, which was something like Meet the Fockers; it was so much better.
And over the weekend, I watched It Ends With Us based on the Colleen Hoover book on Netflix, and again, it was not what I expected, which was some corny romcom; it was so much better.
Listening: I love On Purpose with Jay Shetty’s short 30 minute podcasts. This one on 5 Ways to Achieve a “Rich Life” was just what I needed at just the right time; I added to my favorite podcasts list, which I consider one high honor.
Write on (and Happy Holidays to you and yours),
Ashley