Personal Journal Entry: Friday, October 10.
I flew home yesterday afternoon after being gone for eight days. I landed seven hours earlier than planned, but twenty-four hours late.
Last weekend, I attended, presented, and enjoyed the first-ever SimpleREV conference in Minneapolis, MN. I was excited to meet Patrick Rhone. I was challenged by Brooks Duncan, impressed by David Delp, and an instant fan of Chris and Sarah Wehkamp.
All credit to Joel Zaslofsky and Daniel Hayes for dreaming, organizing, and putting on the event. I hope there are more.
Following the conference, I attended a friend’s wedding in Duluth, MN. I love weddings and it was great to see some old friends.
On Sunday afternoon, I drove by myself to a friend’s cabin in the woods. I am working on a new book. And four days of distraction-free writing seemed like the perfect environment to get started on it.
But three days into my stay, I called my wife and told her I wanted to come home. The next morning, I called the airline to arrange an earlier flight. I landed seven hours earlier than planned, but twenty-four hours late.
I learned a lot about myself this week:
I love being alone. But I most enjoy being with people I love. The week was an experiment in extremes: the energy of SimpleREV, the significance of a wedding, followed immediately by the solitude of a cabin in the woods. I loved being alone… for about two days. After that, I couldn’t wait to get home. The solitude was good. But getting home was even better.
I write best in limited quantities. While at the cabin I received a text from a friend that said, “I used to write at a cabin in Tahoe. I’d write for six hours, go for a run, and then write some more.” It became quickly apparent this would not be my experience. I write best in short spurts of 60-90 minutes followed by anything else. I need the distraction. This proves to be the best formula for me at home and alone in the wilderness.
I rely heavily on the Internet for progress. My cabin did not have Internet access. I was okay with that going in. In fact, the owner’s graciously offered to get it for me, but I declined. I wanted the environment to be distraction-free. That was probably a mistake. While it was marginally helpful to have the temptation eliminated, so many of my thoughts have been articulated online, I found myself often wanting to go find them. My inability to access information quickly became the distraction.
I am motivated by deadlines and the presence of others. On Tuesday afternoon, I drove to a local coffee shop. I needed the Internet to send out a newsletter and I wanted the change in environment. My two hours at the Chattering Squirrel Cafe turned out to be two of my most productive. Certainly this was, in part, due to a looming deadline. But additionally, I found myself uniquely pushed by the simple presence of others. I found motivation in their motivation.
My life is more than minimalism. I am passionate about what I write. I believe the message of owning less has power to change and improve the lives of all who hear it. The book is a long way from being complete and I am excited about the possibilities already. But I was reminded this week that I am more than minimalism. It guides my life but does not define it.
Experiments help us grow. In his book, Enough, Patrick Rhone writes about the value of experimentation and listening to our internal compass: Enough is a very personal metric. Like our center of gravity, each of us must find what is enough by swaying from less to more until a comfortable medium is found. I learned a lot about myself this past week. I learned things that never would have been discovered without the days alone.
I was richly blessed over the past eight days meeting new friends, reconnecting with old ones, and finding space to begin the writing process—even if I accomplished less than I had hoped.
But that’s okay with me. The most important lessons we learn are the lessons we learn about ourselves.
Sandra Pawula says
I love the idea that, “Enough is a very personal metric.” I’m glad you listened to your own voice and found your own way, Joshua. I think my experience of the same situation would have been very different because we are all very different. Learning about ourselves, knowing ourselves is one of the most important steps we can take toward more happiness and freedom.
Mel says
I recently read an article in which a famous singer/songwriter with children was explaining her song writing approach pre and post children. In it she explained how before kids she thought song writing was something you did alone in the right setting. Post kids, she does not have the luxury of quiet/alone time so she goes with the flow when the creative energy is there and writes with kids doing their thing all around her. It got me thinking that yes I do seem to have the mindset that I ‘need’ the ‘right’ environment/setting to paint (my passion). Which has meant that I have not painted in 3 years as we have had a child and also my painting area is not quite right anymore. I think the real challenge is to do what this singer has done and to accept things as they are and not let them stop me from doing the things I love. I still have not yet picked up a brush even though I really want to…
JasRandal says
More than minimalism, great thought, as all were. The last time I took off for a retreat alone, I came home early also. That was unusual for me, but after a couple days, I felt I’d done all I could do. Needed that relationship.
Thanks again.
Rosie | Soul Cal Love says
I truly loved reading this piece. You put it best, sometimes the lessons we learn aren’t taught by others, it’s what we come across ourselves, as self-discovery.
Oscar Torres says
Congratulations Joshua.
Tracey Martin says
Joshua,
What wonderful sentiments. I have learned that in quiet moments of solitude, I can most clearly hear what my soul is trying to tell me. I can then most easily discern what truly brings me peace and tranquility. I am much like you in that I love time alone, but only for a short while. Then, I long to be with my husband and children. I also seem to be at my most productive and creative with short intervals of solitude, no distractions, and completely tidy and minimal surroundings. Then I have to let loose and go for a run or dance around to great music! Thank you for all of your inspiring posts.
Tracey
joe says
Joshua, thanks for sharing. great post. i like my alone time too, but i thrive with people. the forest is refreshing and it’s good to get away some times. i liked your realizations about how you write, and how you operate best. i’m glad you didn’t focus on the frustration, but just quickly moved forward, er, home. i’m learning to love what’s good for me. thanks, joe!
Michelle Russell says
Joshua, I enjoyed seeing you again at SimpleREV, and truly appreciated our brief conversation…as I think you know, it got me seriously thinking about my own writing plans (i.e., speeding them up).
Funny how sometimes the things we think will help most–an isolated cabin, peace and quiet–end up being the very things
that distract us! But as you say, it’s all grist for the mill . . . especially if, as you say, we use it as a chance to learn more about ourselves.
Glad you’re home safe and where you can now be productive in your more usual sense–we need your writing! :o)
JF Moreau says
Thanks for the time you dedicated to SimpleREV Joshua! It was inspiring to hear you speak and interact with you.
Chris Wehkamp says
I speak for both of us when I say that the pleasure was most definitely ours. Thank you for the shout-out in your post today.
We can’t wait for our paths to cross again, both virtually and otherwise.