Share one thing you’ll do less of in April. Write it in ALL CAPS, e.g., LESS WORRYING, etc. and tell us a bit about it.
Find another person whose less-in resonates with you, introduce yourself, and respond to them.
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Mar 30·edited Mar 30Liked by Sarah Fay | Less of More
LESS CORPORATE WRITING. I want to shift from my decades of reliable, safe and well-paid corporate writing to the writing that makes my heart soar--essays here on Substack, novel writing, travel writing, and ghostwriting of books on topics I really care about, ideally in the self-growth/self-discovery sphere. (I have experience as a ghostwriter of business leadership books). April is my birthday month. My 64th birthday. An emancipation birthday. The first year where my divorce is fully in the rear view mirror. What's next? It feels like I am entering the second half of life, that I am midstory. But I need to tap into my bravery when it comes to how I earn my living as a writer (a writer who also needs to earn enough to support herself and save for retirement).
LESS FRETTING ~ This past few years I have fretted about changes in long-term and long distance friendships and haven't been able to accept that friendships can change over time. This has caused me pain, and I'm determined to quit worrying about this and invest in people without expectations.
LESS PERSONAL SPENDING. Things have tightened up. All through the inflation crises I managed without a problem. I even went through a long strike that when over left me still worse off with the inflation rate. The pressure has risen. So now I will not be spending any money on non-essentials. 😭
I spent 40 hours one week learning languages when I could've been resting because I was off work. I'm now taking rest more seriously and making sure I give myself time to relax.
LESS outlining and MORE actual writing. I finished my first novel a month ago and thought I had this problem licked… little did I know it would be waiting for me on the other side at the beginning of the second book 🙂
I’m gonna resist offering more things, more posts, more notes, more things for public consumption and focus on long walks, taking photos, and just being bored for a bit.
SUBSCRIBING TO NEWSLETTERS WITH LITTLE/NO FREE CONTENT
I now recognize that there's a limit to the number of subscriptions I can pay for and will unsubscribe if I notice a newletter doesn't offer any substantial free content for 2 months or more, even if I like the theme.
LESS CARING WHAT PEOPLE THINK! I do my best work when I just let go, and focus. Plus I’m with you on the less worrying, always worrying about the future but all will be well. 💛
Is it possible to still do the steps of letting ideas and written thoughts sit, cutting them, thinking more, etc. but in a super fast agile way? If so, this is what I’m doing. Less deliberating and more listening and trusting my instincts for creativity. That’s joy!
It’s funny I keep thinking less of what…and mind switches to more of that…like MORE DECLUTTERING, MORE WALKING, MORE TENNIS, MORE ORGANIZATION…I’m wondering if it’s the same psychological effect…so I switched again to…LESS CLUTTER, LESS SITTING, LESS DISORGANIZATION…what do you think?
LESS DRINKING. I don't drink a lot to start with, but I'm finding that as I get older, any amount of alcohol (even just 2-3 drinks per week) doesn't sit well with me. And it's expensive! For me, it's time to take a break from booze, I think.
MUCH LESS ANXIETY last month was crazy and headed nowhere good, physically or mentally. I rediscovered small amounts of edibles to take the edge off and that was a lifesaver.
I think I'm going to do less procrastinating. I have so much to get done, including finding a new job, and I just keep putting things off. Enough. Grief can only be an excuse for so long.
SIT
LESS SCROLLING
NETWORK I joined a lot of groups over the winter, and now that I know more, I'll be culling the ones I find less useful.
OPPOSING
LESS CORPORATE WRITING. I want to shift from my decades of reliable, safe and well-paid corporate writing to the writing that makes my heart soar--essays here on Substack, novel writing, travel writing, and ghostwriting of books on topics I really care about, ideally in the self-growth/self-discovery sphere. (I have experience as a ghostwriter of business leadership books). April is my birthday month. My 64th birthday. An emancipation birthday. The first year where my divorce is fully in the rear view mirror. What's next? It feels like I am entering the second half of life, that I am midstory. But I need to tap into my bravery when it comes to how I earn my living as a writer (a writer who also needs to earn enough to support herself and save for retirement).
That your spirit is indomitable is clear! You are in a unique position now to live a very full life. All the best to you!
LESS FRETTING ~ This past few years I have fretted about changes in long-term and long distance friendships and haven't been able to accept that friendships can change over time. This has caused me pain, and I'm determined to quit worrying about this and invest in people without expectations.
LESS PERSONAL SPENDING. Things have tightened up. All through the inflation crises I managed without a problem. I even went through a long strike that when over left me still worse off with the inflation rate. The pressure has risen. So now I will not be spending any money on non-essentials. 😭
Thinking (too much) before I act creatively. Experiment!
LESS PROCRASTINATING and more revising Draft 8 of my novel.
LESS OBSESSIVELY CLEANING THE KITCHEN. Once a day. Once. A. Day.
LESS OVERWORKING.
I spent 40 hours one week learning languages when I could've been resting because I was off work. I'm now taking rest more seriously and making sure I give myself time to relax.
LESS outlining and MORE actual writing. I finished my first novel a month ago and thought I had this problem licked… little did I know it would be waiting for me on the other side at the beginning of the second book 🙂
LESS STRIVING TO DO MORE MORE MORE
I’m gonna resist offering more things, more posts, more notes, more things for public consumption and focus on long walks, taking photos, and just being bored for a bit.
Noise. ❤️
LESS YOUTUBING 👩💻
LESS NEGATIVE THINKING. I’m trying to stay on the positivity train as much as I can. Looking to get derailed less often.
SUBSCRIBING TO NEWSLETTERS WITH LITTLE/NO FREE CONTENT
I now recognize that there's a limit to the number of subscriptions I can pay for and will unsubscribe if I notice a newletter doesn't offer any substantial free content for 2 months or more, even if I like the theme.
LESS DISTRACTIONS
LESS URGENCY, more serenity.
LESS CABLE NEWS and more political activism (like writing postcards to voters.)
COMPARISON TO OTHERS
LESS THEN/WHEN : more NOW
Rather than re-play yesterday and anticipate what tomorrow is bringing, stay in today.
LESS EXPLAINING MYSELF TO PEOPLE WHO WON’T GET IT—major time suck and my confidence always takes a hit.
LESS CARING WHAT PEOPLE THINK! I do my best work when I just let go, and focus. Plus I’m with you on the less worrying, always worrying about the future but all will be well. 💛
Hi Rebecca!
Is it possible to still do the steps of letting ideas and written thoughts sit, cutting them, thinking more, etc. but in a super fast agile way? If so, this is what I’m doing. Less deliberating and more listening and trusting my instincts for creativity. That’s joy!
It’s funny I keep thinking less of what…and mind switches to more of that…like MORE DECLUTTERING, MORE WALKING, MORE TENNIS, MORE ORGANIZATION…I’m wondering if it’s the same psychological effect…so I switched again to…LESS CLUTTER, LESS SITTING, LESS DISORGANIZATION…what do you think?
LESS TIME FOCUSSED GOALS
I’m leaning into the trust and experience of growth as inevitable when I share my work.
It felt fun to kinda gamify subscriber count, but when I smashed my goal to reach 300 by end of March I realised I could go two ways:
- Be tempted to set wilder goals by end of X month
- Just fucking enjoy myself regardless
I’m going for the latter, at least until it feels true and fun and aligned to set a new time focussed goal.
LESS DRINKING. I don't drink a lot to start with, but I'm finding that as I get older, any amount of alcohol (even just 2-3 drinks per week) doesn't sit well with me. And it's expensive! For me, it's time to take a break from booze, I think.
MUCH LESS ANXIETY last month was crazy and headed nowhere good, physically or mentally. I rediscovered small amounts of edibles to take the edge off and that was a lifesaver.
I think I'm going to do less procrastinating. I have so much to get done, including finding a new job, and I just keep putting things off. Enough. Grief can only be an excuse for so long.