But First I Need to…
Lately when I sit down to blog. Or more realistically – think about sitting down to blog – I always think of something I should do first.
Most recently that thought is… “wait – but first I need to write that blog post where I mention that Redfin mentioned me in a blog post.”
I promised them I would link to the post. It was very cool they included me and I’m most appreciative. So I felt stuck about blogging about other things as I had to do this first.
So fiinally I sit down to write but then…
I think: “But first I need to…. finish restoring old blog posts about How to Buy Art. “
I’m forever thinking of something I should do first.
I did a short series of posts years about about how to buy art – because – well – it’s really hard sometimes to trust yourself in knowing what to buy.
So I thought referencing that series would put the Redfin post into better perspective. Which it would.
So I started the “restore old blog posts” project and got two restored:
- How to Buy Art: Put Art on Your Wish List – why not tell people the artwork we would love to own!
- How to Buy Art: Buying Art for Your Loved Ones – this can feel tricky – and it is also such a great way to show them that you are paying attention and care.
And then the time allocated to the project is gone and the new blog post doesn’t exist.
By the way – here is the post by Redfin where they quoted me: The Art of Selecting Art: Experts Share Unique Art Pieces for Every Room of the House.
Thank you for the patience in getting this written Redin
Getting Rid of the “Requirements”
This is just one instance of the “but first I need to…” thoughts that have gotten in the way recently.
I seem to be getting tangled up in imaginary requirements. Most of the “but first I need to…” thoughts are just delaying tactics. In the studio, in the office, in all sorts of places.
I’m searching for the starting point – thinking that the answer lies not in the action I need to take but instead in some other magic requirement that will unlock all the secrets to make this thing easier. Or obvious. Or right.
But of course we all know I’m just making up a bunch of rules that no one else cares about. You don’t care if I restore my old blog posts. And while google might (because they will go back to ranking my blog higher in their magic algorithm).
The real question is – do I care? And while yes – I really do wish all 1200+ old blog posts were magically back on my website – in the long run their absence is tangential to what I really want.
What do I really want?
I want to go back to blogging the way I used to – which is to simply write and share what is going on in my world – which is mostly about art. But sometimes about hiking. Or working on the house. Or how I get things done.
It’s the way I used to blog.
Before social media shifted the conversation.
Restoring the Full Range of my Art Practice
Very often I sit down to blog and I think – is this really worthy of a blog post?
So instead I make a quick and easy instagram post and move on. While I love instagram – it can be great fun – it isn’t the same.
It isn’t a place where I write to work out what I’m thinking. That only comes when I’m trying to explain things with more words.
It’s actually an integral part of my art practice.
Take this blog post for example – it was going to be about something else – but instead it is about working out the thoughts I’m sharing here.
No short instagram post was going to lead me here.
To the recognition that l I’ve lost a part of my art practice with my lack of blogging.
I think I’ve been too worried people will unsubscribe to my blog if I go back to blogging how I used to.
Which is ridiculous – because I have always blogged first and foremost for myself. To work out my own thoughts on what I’m doing.
So I’m going to give it my best shot to return to blogging the way I used to. For me.
I’ve found the starting point – and that is to – well – just start.
So here – today – I offer up this first blog post in my return to blogging without feeling my blog has to fit into some specific category in the marketing world. Or that I need to worry about writing too little or too much or too often.
I am here to share and talk about my art and I welcome those interested in reading such thoughts to stick around.
PS – the image above is from last week. We just finished our 6th Great Walk of New Zealand. Four more to go. I’ll share some photos of the hike (which circumnavigated an active volcano) soon.