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- Learning How to Let Go | Internetly Vol. 19
Learning How to Let Go | Internetly Vol. 19
On how growth has a component of grief, valuing consistency over creativity, and the top five best things about being a freelance writer.
Hi there,
I’m flying to France in two weeks to visit my 93-year-old grandparents before taking a trip to London to see old backpacking pals. These upcoming excursions seemed to have washed away any depressive residue which accumulated over the past few weeks.
You love to see it.
These little trips are mentally preparing me for “the big move.” Right now I live in Brooklyn, NYC, where I’m originally from. But this fall, I’m planning on quitting America and buying a one-way ticket to a new country where I’ll become a digital nomad.
It all sounds like rainbows and butterflies but in reality, the idea scares the living shit out of me. Anxious thoughts are piling up. What if my business fails? Grow distant from friends and family? Get E-Coli for the second time? Once was more than enough.
But on Wednesday, I was re-watching “Reinvent Yourself” by Chris Do when he said something that made me stop in my tracks:
“Attachment is about holding on to your old identity, ideas, and ways of working. We become attached to where we live, who we spend time with, what typefaces we prefer, tools we use, our own job, how we see ourselves, rituals and customs.
Even if we are unhappy with it. We have to learn to let go.”
I paused the video and mulled over this for a moment.
My thoughts drifted to the life in NYC I’ve carefully crafted. Waking up in the same turquoise bedroom. The commute on the 4 train to go to my boyfriend’s apartment in Crown Heights. The Roboto typeface, the running path on the Brooklyn Bridge Park, the lukewarm iced coffees at 8:30 AM. For two years, these little habits have been on a loop.
What awaits on the other side? No one knows, yet we must accept that our growth will come with the loss of what we once knew. Yet, it’s that sense of possibility that makes for a life worth willing.
Lean into the unknown, and learn to let go.
🖼 On Becoming a Prolific Creator
This Week: It’s Not About Creativity. It’s About Consistency.
We assume creativity hits us like a lightning bolt in unassuming situations.
While creativity tends to do its thing while we’re relaxing, we can’t depend on sudden strokes of genius for our creativity. We must also be consistent.
This means sitting down to write, design, draw, whatever, in moments where you feel like you don’t have a drop of imagination in you. When you opt for a consistent schedule, creativity becomes a habit. This produces reliable results.
Creativity isn’t some creature that only strikes when you’re zoning out in the shower. Tame the beast by sitting down and forcing it out of you. And with your creativity knowing you have a designated slot each day for its arrival, all it’ll have to do is show up.
TL;DR
Creativity is a discipline. 🍬
P.S - I’m thinking of removing this section. What do you think? Do you like it and think I should keep it? LMK!
🥒 Content Diet
I. 3-2-1 from James Clear
3-2-1 by James Clear is one of my favorite newsletters. It has the highest ratio of idea-to-words out there.
Here’s an idea that stuck with me this week:
"Different meanings can be assigned to the same events.
Look for evidence of how the world is encouraging you, and you will find it.
Look for evidence of how the world is burdening you, and you will find it.
Choose an explanation that empowers you."
It’s reassuring to know the way we experience the world is a reflection of our inner reality. We have the ability to make our mindset a nurturing and bountiful garden instead of a wasteland.
And while positive thinking isn’t an all-encompassing solution, it’s much more useful than negative thinking.
It’s all subjective, so you might as well choose a narrative that benefits you.
TL;DR
Reality is neutral. How you decide to interpret it is up to you. 🤷🏼♀️
✍🏼 Freelancing Journey
This Week: The Five Benefits of Being a Freelance Writer
Thinking about becoming a freelance writer but not sure if it’s right for you?
Here’s a small list of some of my favorite perks of being a freelancer.
You decide how much you’re worth. The majority of us grow up working minimum wage retail or hospitality jobs. It’s empowering for you to decide how you value your time. Seeing the jump from $10 to $100 an hour isn’t only a financial plus - it changes your perspective on what you’re capable of.
You decide how your schedule unfolds. Wanna go to the beach on a Tuesday to skip the crowds? Not feeling like working because you’re deathly hungover? In whatever scenario, you decide when you’ll work. Not having to “ask for permission” to live out your day is a huge plus.
You learn so much. Not only do you learn how to run a business and market yourself, but writers tend to spend hours researching their client’s topics. I’ve done deep dives on NFTs, environment regulations, eCommerce, and more. Freelance writing is like school - but you actually get paid for it. Pretty neat.
You follow work that inspires you. Contrary to popular belief, you can find topics that interest you and write about what you’re into. Like dogs? Great - reach out to the American Kennel Club and ask to write for them. Into language learning? Cold pitch Toucan, Fluent, or Duolingo.
You contribute to your serendipity vehicle. Being a freelance writer means that occasionally your name will be posted on client’s articles. These articles are then distributed to the infinite vastness of the internet and make you discoverable. From this, I’ve had incredible opportunities come my way like working with dream clients and speaking arrangements.
That’s all folks!
Loved it? Kind of liked it? It would mean so much if you shared the newsletter or told a pal!
Have a beautiful week,
Alice 💌
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