Off the Record - March Edition

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When’s the last time you got bored?

I’m serious, think about it. When is the last time you actually got bored?

Take your time, I’ll wait.

The back row’s mumbling already. Who’s got the time to be bored in 2025? There’s always something to do!

Yes. Precisely. And that’s the problem.

We live in a weird time. You’ve heard it before, we’ve never been so distracted. If the DeLorean worked, my bet is, we wouldn’t last long in any other century. We’ve got nothing anymore.

A few weeks back, I had coffee with a cousin and his partner. Their older kid is eight already. And that child is busy. All week long, it’s one physical or artistic activity after another. Her only real day off is Sunday.

I was remarking that it might be a tad much, and said:
- Kids need to get bored.
- Yeah, someone else told us that. It’s good for the imagination, right?
- Yes. But it doesn’t only apply to kids.

As artists, getting bored is one of the most important things we can do. It should be a part of our routine. Yes. Grab that calendar.

Eight weeks ago, we lost a tremendous artist, a creative force of nature, David Lynch.

Every morning, he’d sit quietly in his office, drinking coffee and chain-smoking Spirits. While I’m not recommending the fags, there is something there.

David let his mind wander. He likened the activity to fishing, except that he wasn’t trying to catch his supper.

He was catching ideas.

As they crossed the surface to his consciousness, he’d write them down fast, before they vanished forever on the other side. If you’ve ever lost what felt like a great idea, you know it’s a terrible feeling. Haunting.

Over the last decade or so, our lives have become too fast. Don’t run for that hut in the woods just yet, though. As always, what we need is balance.

But FOMO is not real, and you know it.

No, you will not miss anything vital by putting down the screens. If it’s world news you’re worried about, don’t. Anything big enough will reach you in time. And chances are, it won’t make that much of a difference anyway. After all, that red-tied knob will say something stupid tomorrow as well.
I fail to see how it will affect your day.

Regarding your friends and their barrage of stories and posts, it’s even better. It doesn’t matter. Most people share useless rubbish.

The truth is, we never needed to be that connected.

Remember catching up? Meeting a person face to face over coffee, and talking to each other. Sharing what’s been going on in your lives. The big things, not the stupid, irrelevant details.
Connecting with someone, giving the person your full attention. No phones buzzing on the table. Letting the conversation flow in any direction.

My point is: slow down.

Stop wasting your life on the screens. Stop with the distractions.
Every second scrolling is gone. Forever. You’re never getting these hours back.

Don’t ask yourself “How do I spend less time on Instagram?” Instead, ask “What am I running away from?”

It’s a much more difficult question. But you’re the main character in your life. So, why are you fleeing from it?

If you don’t like your life very much, fix it. It’s not always easy, but it is that simple. Fix whatever it is that makes you miserable.

Embrace the struggles. Welcome all the feelings. Enjoy being alive. It’s not a straight path, but there are quite a few great sights along the way.

But then again, what do I know…

Eminence Front

Hello, gorgeous.

What do you say we grab a coffee and talk about working together?

“One of the greatest rewards of making art is our ability to share it.

Even if there is no audience to receive it, we build the muscle of making something and putting it out into the world. Finishing our work is a good habit to develop. It boosts confidence.

Despite our insecurities, the more times we can bring ourselves to release our work, the less weight insecurity has.”

Rick Rubin

Well, I’ve been doing good work and good things are starting to happen (for both my clients and me).

More on that soon, but for now…

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