This is something I've been thinking over a lot this past week.
I saw someone behave in what I considered an unruly manner and felt tempted to tell them off. I had a project to work on that pushed me outside my comfort zone and felt tempted to wallow in anxiety. I got rejected by someone I like and felt tempted to feel ashamed.
It's natural to have such demons, but it doesn't mean we must give in to them. We have agency to do what's right, even if — rather, especially if — it feels difficult.
Doing the right thing is training for our mind like physical exercise is training for the body.
Really solid framing on the active avoidance piece. Most self-help stuff treats inaction like its passive laziness but the way people actually sabotage themselves is way more energetic than that, like we build whole systems to avoid the obvious move. Last year i spent months researching the perfect productivity tools instead of just writting the damn thing, classic active evasion disguised as preparation.
Good promotion list of essays for the new year. Really. I think everyone has something they fear, and avoids taking the first steps. Creatively, relationally, career… I’m hoping 2026 is a year of smoothmentum. Then again, I thought 2020 was going to be awesome 😂. But that’s also a great point. How many people let fear and others dictate their lives back then? Hopefully people take the first step to invest in their health. Talk about spending energy to avoid diet and fitness!!
Right? Those of us who went smooth through 2020 did great on all measures. It was the ones who panicked and acted vs. tactical non-action that are still suffering!
This is something I've been thinking over a lot this past week.
I saw someone behave in what I considered an unruly manner and felt tempted to tell them off. I had a project to work on that pushed me outside my comfort zone and felt tempted to wallow in anxiety. I got rejected by someone I like and felt tempted to feel ashamed.
It's natural to have such demons, but it doesn't mean we must give in to them. We have agency to do what's right, even if — rather, especially if — it feels difficult.
Doing the right thing is training for our mind like physical exercise is training for the body.
Exactly right!
All good in theory. However I'm reminded of an old quote "Kill your demons today, face the devil tomorrow."
You gotta watch out for that.
It’s the devil you want to meet. That’s the goal of the hero’s journey. He’s the boss at the end of a game just before the princess.
Or you can end up making a devil’s bargain that causes more destructive behaviour.
Appreciate this one Michael. “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.” A mantra that got me sober 16+ years ago.
Awesome to hear. I’m doing dry January as my annual check in and slippery slope prevention because it is super slippery. I’m proud of your 16 years.
Great reminder to kick off the year. Thanks for compiling such a great list of essays to refer to as well!
Great to hear and I appreciate it.
Really solid framing on the active avoidance piece. Most self-help stuff treats inaction like its passive laziness but the way people actually sabotage themselves is way more energetic than that, like we build whole systems to avoid the obvious move. Last year i spent months researching the perfect productivity tools instead of just writting the damn thing, classic active evasion disguised as preparation.
I did the same thing, preparing to write my next novel. Months of hesitation justified as preparation.
Good promotion list of essays for the new year. Really. I think everyone has something they fear, and avoids taking the first steps. Creatively, relationally, career… I’m hoping 2026 is a year of smoothmentum. Then again, I thought 2020 was going to be awesome 😂. But that’s also a great point. How many people let fear and others dictate their lives back then? Hopefully people take the first step to invest in their health. Talk about spending energy to avoid diet and fitness!!
Right? Those of us who went smooth through 2020 did great on all measures. It was the ones who panicked and acted vs. tactical non-action that are still suffering!