The other day I heard that the word to describe the general stagnation and lack of motivation one feels, despite going through the motions of life, is, languished. And I thought, "That sounds about right."
It's not depression or lack of energy. It's just when you wake up and realize scrolling Instagram for 40 minutes in bed feels more interesting than what's on your calendar.
I was much better at being an adult when I was still a child. It was easy to watch parents and teachers with baby blue judgment in my eyes. I'd see them rushing about, having their little grown-up conversations. They’d blow out the candles on a cake that says "37" and I’d think, "You're just not doing it right."
Adult life seemed easier than they made it out to be. But the future is always easy when you're still planning it. When you're living in a story in your mind.
Everyone knows life is short. But what you don't realize when you're a child is that the days are long. And they just keep on coming. There's an emotional long-haul that sets in and brings repetition to daily life. A repetition that can languish and siphon desire. Ebb and flow isn't the right phrase, but it's the first that comes to mind.
As a writer, I tend to languish in other areas while thriving in creativity. I get so deep in a writing project that it consumes everything. And the other things in my life, things I still care about, are lost in the storm. The imagination whirlwind. The story in my mind.
However, as I wrote in Productivity Is For Robots, true creativity is a round trip. And, as Nick Cave says, "We must go there cautiously, yet fearlessly, and perhaps most important of all, remember to return."
A head that's left in the clouds too long leads to a languished heart. An absent, fleeting sense of reality. That’s where I’ve been. Lost in Oz’s tornado while reality lays in wait. Waiting for the sun to summon me out of a dormant winter. To be in bloom isn't the right phrase, but it's the first that comes to mind.
And just hearing that word: Languished. It put a face to the feeling. Offered a sense of revival. A reminder to return.
I found some treasure on my last creative trip, some that I’ll share in the weeks to come.
My feet are on the ground.
It’s good to be back.
Some stuff:
I’ve been making the podcast rounds again and there are two interviews I did last week I want to highlight:
🎤 The Soul of Enterprise: I had a great time with these guys. I know not all interviewers are able to read the books of guests before they come on, but it does make a huge difference when they do. The hosts of this show asked me such thoughful questions and I feel like we were able to cut pretty deep on some big topics. Highly recommend this podcast in general.
🎤 Get Doing Things (with Craig Burgess): We had a solid chat about the book and what it means to create in the Creator Economy, but honestly, you just need to be following Craig. He brings such a great perspective and is a fantastic example of someone being authentic online and adding value in the way only he can.
Follow him on Twitter @craigburgess and you can thank me later.
📚 The hardcover version for Robots is here! We went with a Blacked Out version, check it out.
Ok, I think that’s enough for now.
The temperature has languished, but coming back to life! 🔥
xo,
Corey