Comedian, facilitator and event producer. I love jokes and how they can help us move through hard stuff. Sign up for the Cathartic Laughs newsletter for tips on how to joke about the curve balls life throws our way.
π A Psychologist Jots To Dos While Writing to Stay Focused
Hi funny people,
Are you getting moments of rest each day? I hope so.
In an effort to write when I was feeling unmotivated, I decided to go with free writing, just barfing whatever came out on to the page. Nothing even close to jokes came out, and that wasn't the goal. Sometimes we just have to shake out the thoughts that are tumbling around in our head, like stopping to remove annoying pebbles from a shoe before continuing on.
I've been reading (and by 'reading' I almost always mean listening to an audiobook on the Libby App - the free library app that lets you nab audio and E-books to borrow from your library and is just like Audible except Jeff Bezos doesn't get your money, so much better really) a book called No Hard Feelings, which deals with having emotions at work (not the forthcoming Jennifer Lawrence movie by the same name where helicopter parents who don't get consent hire her to 'date' their introverted son.) The authors shared an interesting activity from psychologist Nick Wignall that helps you deal with anxious thoughts that can block writing (or anything really).
Write for 5 to 15 minutes daily (or daily-ish if you are like me and prefer a low-pressure option).
If you notice you are getting distracted when writing or working, have a separate paper (or write in the margins) and jot down your anxious thoughts and to dos as they come up, but get right back to writing.
After you are done, you set a reminder in your calendar to complete the next smallest task for each item in your worried list that is:
- Urgent, in the next few days
- Within your control (vs. beyond your control - good to notice and distinguish between these)
Just offering this as sometimes you might start freewriting and find it jumpstarts some creative ideas, and sometimes you might freewrite and find that it is fairly anxious ramblings. Ideally you can not judge yourself with whatever comes out in free writing, but I like the above process for going back in and pulling out some to-dos if you are feeling overwhelmed with life.
The setting a reminder in a calendar step is nice because then it tells your brain that this anxious thing is going to be dealt with and you will have a better shot at feeling a little more chill and perhaps even writing a joke or two.
Next Workshop
We will see you tomorrow, Saturday May 13th at 10:00 AM PST, on Zoom for our informal joke writing meetup. You can come even if you don't have goals or jokes you are actively working on, you can join in and give feedback to others. Can't make this one? Next one is on March 27th, so mark your calendar.
Stay funny and see you tomorrow!
Em
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Em Cooper
Comedian, facilitator and event producer. I love jokes and how they can help us move through hard stuff. Sign up for the Cathartic Laughs newsletter for tips on how to joke about the curve balls life throws our way.
Hi funny people, Our last Cathartic Laughs session will be tomorrow, Saturday Dec 9th. Over the past few years we have gathered every other week to swap jokes, give constructive feedback and share updates on what life is throwing at us. I have a massive amount of appreciation for everyone who has joined in. Special appreciation goes to Adora Nwofor, who set the tone of these sessions with her love of comedy, open approach to facilitation and willingness to address challenging issues. These...
Hi funny people, How's yer day? If you are feeling big things with the news these days, I hope you take moments of rest for you. I took some time and I peed a little playing the most low key bit of basketball with friends, so... yeah. It might not go how you want, but breaks are good, even if you have to do more laundry. Anyhow, I'm looking forward to seeing you on Saturday for our joke feedback session. I've not been writing much myself for a while now. I would get going on little stints of...
Hi funny people, I finally listened to the audiobook version of Anne Lamott's classic book on writing called Bird by Bird via Libby! It was recommended highly by Mike Birbiglia on his podcast and he is right, it's a real gift. The book is more personal than many books on writing. Anne is funny and takes detours between helpful tips while she explains exactly what the neurotic, self-doubting voices in her head are saying while she tries to sit and write. Those voices in your head can get in...