On creating more than consuming
I've recently set a rule for myself: to create more than I consume1.
In addition to this rule, I've set another: to only consume news and social media after I've finished work for the day2.
These two simple rules have dramatically improved my sense of well-being.
The craziest part is that after a day of work, the last thing I want to do is check the news or social media. Instead, I desperately want to get back to whatever creative project I'm cooking on.
It's as if the promised dopamine of social media was the carrot, but it turns out I'm quite content with the stick: being creative.
Instead of spending an hour on YouTube, I'm now happily making music. Instead of doom-scrolling news headlines for fifteen minutes, I'm journaling. Instead of spending free minutes between tasks checking crypto and stock markets, I'm just sitting there alone with my thoughts.
And it's great.
In some sense, my desire for consumption is fuelled by the need to feel like I'm staying on top of everything. But, the reality is that I don't need to do this. Like, at all.
Why should we try to be omnipresent? Our brains are not built for that.
If something important does happen, that information will eventually make its way to me. It's been two weeks now and I don't feel like I've lost anything, yet gained much.
I'm learning that I must say "no" to all external distractions before I can make progress on the things that bring me joy and contentment.
For years, I've wanted to spend more time pursuing creative endeavours and it finally feels like I'm doing just that.
Consumption in this context means reading any news or using any form of social media (yes, YouTube included). Books or time spent learning are exempt.↩
I must credit Redeeming Your Time for kicking me in the pants to put these rules into action.↩