Emil Beckford discusses the importance of doing less and how it can lead to a more fulfilling life. They emphasize the need to prioritize and simplify in order to reduce stress and increase overall satisfaction.
“As we approach the end of January, it’s really time to consider ‘Are you really going to make that beach body a reality?’ I don’t think so.” – Katya, Circling Back for a Touch-Base to Close the Loop on the Deliverables w/ Trixie & Katya, The Bald and the Beautiful
Happy 2024, friends! I’ve never been a big resolution person. I consider myself more of an intention person. I am always striving to remain open to growth, to learn, and to become the best version of myself. That is what guides me forward. However, I recognize that the specificity resolutions offer could make my abstract intention more attainable. Realistic and specific, that’s what you want. So here are my resolutions, feel free to share yours (or your intentions):
Learn guitar.
Near the end of last month, I impulse bought an acoustic guitar. I’m still not quite sure why in the sense of like, why now and why guitar? I guess I was tired of not knowing how to play an instrument, so I dedicated myself to learning. I’m building callouses and trying to play every day (trying being the operative word). As far as goals are concerned, my goal is to keep up with it and keep trying to play, even if I think I’m bad. If I do that, by the end of the year, I will be drastically better at guitar than I was even a month ago. I think that’s doable. If you’re interested in watching my guitar progress, I upload videos on my Patreon for first-tier subscribers ($1/month).
It doesn’t have a name yet. What should we name it?
Last semester was my hardest yet, but maybe not for the reasons you’d expect. Classes don’t really get harder, just more tedious. The tough thing is my responsibilities keep piling on. In addition to taking four classes, I do 16 hours/week of clinical work (unpaid). I’m supposed to do 20 hours/week of research (this is where my money comes from).
I also have a part time job that, by semester’s end, I had flaked on entirely. I’m in leadership in two student organizations. I was trying to get a paper published. I designed and started piloting my dissertation study. I was taking a microcredential. I was co-captaining my kickball team. My cousin died and I had to go home for a week. When the semester ended, I tried to keep the train going and prepare to tackle my next milestone and my body was just telling me to stop. I hit a wall, so to speak. So I stopped.
I’m three semesters in, five semesters and a year of internship to go before I graduate. If I’m going to make it to the finish line, I have to engage with this program in a way that doesn’t completely deplete me, so we change some of the goals. Instead of trying to fit two electives into my already-full schedule, maybe I use that time to get ahead on required classes instead. Maybe instead of going to a conference this year, I can wait until next year when things are more relaxed. Maybe I say no when I’m asked to do things unless they really help me move towards my goals. Maybe I adjust my goals to be more sustainable. Realistic, specific.
Doing less carries beyond school as well. I haven’t released any full, finished songs since Songs About Isolation came out in May of 2021, nearly three years ago. I have half of an album nearly complete and I’ve been too elsewhere-focused to work on the second half. So rather than pushing myself to finish the second half, I’m releasing the first half and calling it a mini-album or an EP or Side A or whatever (new music in 2024, let’s go!). Doing less. Also, I launched a GoFundMe/New Album Fund to help cover some of the costs associated with releasing new music (mixing, mastering, all that stuff that makes it sound good). If you like my music and want to help out, feel free to donate if you’d like, no pressure. Sharing with friends is also super helpful. Keep your eyes out for pre-save dates as the year goes on.
Doing less is easier said than done. It requires re-shuffling and sometimes better organizing. There’s also a part of me that feels like I’m failing in some way for not meeting the goals I set for myself. But I have to remind myself that my health and my sanity are worth it. Yours are, too.
Emil
Always trying to make this my reality. Art by Sêlynn (@selynndraws)
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