Dear Friend,
I caught a glimpse of Margaret Atwood talking about her writing course, the one she made for masterclass. I’ve seen the advert many times over the years without feeling the urge to take the course. Maybe I should.
The thing I heard her say was to deal with taboos in your writing. To give a voice to them. I clicked away because I was looking for other information, but it stuck in my mind and resurfaced this morning.
Taboos.
What is not spoken of. An emotional aversion, banned by social custom.
Doing nothing, but what pleases oneself.
Isn’t that a taboo for late stage western capitalism?
I’m thinking about American friends who have, in general, at least in my experience a staggering work ethic. Relentless in some instances.
How much of the drive to succeed is maladapted in the sense that it’s a threat to our wellbeing emotionally and physically? Programmed into us.
In the UK competition was introduced into the education system. Schools put pressure on kids to perform in exams so that the school looks good. It was sold as a way to drive up standards, and maybe it did in some cases, but at what cost?
How deep under the skin does the mental and emotional programming go?
I’m a fan of doing nothing.
I’m a fan of working hard.
It’s a question of balance.
Things need our attention.
It’s just to make space in our lives to smell the roses. That’s good lazy.
The culture will not give us permission to be ourselves.
We have to give it.
As a gift.
To the self.
Of the self.
Ours to give.
Till tomorrow
Love
Mikey