So I’ve been writing this series of posts for my other blog, and I suddenly realized I hated it.
It was sooooo boring.
It was heavy and sleepy and it gave me unwelcome thoughts about purchasing an all-black wardrobe and taking up self mutilation.
Something’s Rotten in that Remark
I couldn’t figure out what was wrong, but then I saw a random tweet on Twitter, one wishing me and everyone else a day filled with “simple, happy thoughts of joy”. Then I think I threw up a little.
I’m just being honest here. The first word that came to mind when I read that was bullshit.
I’m sure the person who posted it is a lovely person. And the sentiments behind it were probably genuine, but it just smacked of bullshit.
First of all, would thoughts of joy ever be unhappy? Would they be any less joyful if they were complex?
And who really talks like that? What ever happened to hello and have a nice day? Those two have worked pretty well for me and lots of others for years.
Is It Really All About Presentation?
It just seemed like something you would say if you were trying to present a persona, one that’s in touch with nature and wholesome and filled with rays of light – you know – bullshit.
And that, I realized, was what I was doing with the series I was writing. It’s what I’ve been guilty of here from time to time and post to post. It’s what I was trying to break away from when I started the new blog.
Yes, I’m mildly creative. Yes, I’m reflective and contemplative and spend time in quiet solitude. I have to, or else I’d go mad.
But I’m also a guy who watches South Park, one of the most politically incorrect and unapologetically juvenile programs to ever grace a TV screen. And I laugh my silly butt off.
And sometimes I listen to heavy metal and bang my grey-haired head like I’ve forgotten I’m over forty.
If someone farted, I’d probably giggle. Sometimes I’ve got no class.
I’m Still a Good Guy, Right?
But none of that means I don’t care about people or that I’m any less serious about helping them. It just means I am who I am.
In my time, I’ve read a lot of self help books, and two things I often find missing are a sense of humor and a human touch. Too bad when you consider who they’re written for.
I Need to Clean This Crap Up
So, to make a long story short (Too late?), I went back and rewrote every piece in that series.
I took out the bullshit and put me in its place. It still isn’t perfect; it’s never going to be, but at least it doesn’t sound like I’m trying to be somebody I know I’m not – a simple, happy robot.
So what’s the moral of the story? And I thought you read the title. If your writing bores you, cut the bullshit.
Just in case you’re interested, here are the links:
Adventure Guide: Part 1 – Guilt Free Creativity
Adventure Guide: Part 2 – Shame Free Curiosity
Adventure Guide: Part 3 – Direction Free Exploration
Feel free to tell me what you think, and you don’t have to feed me bullshit.
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