The Daily Maybe #19: How To Stop Acting Like A Bloody Child

Watch closely.

Time to let go of my beloved excuses. (Photo by Eric Ward on Unsplash)

Do I contradict myself?
Very well then …. I contradict myself;
I am large …. I contain multitudes.

— Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass [Song of Myself]

Man it’s been a while.

Hello and welcome to The Daily Maybe! If you’re new here, this is a blog series where I constantly spew some bull about how I’m trying to be better and more consistent with blogging, then disappear for ten days straight.

Yeah.

The thing is, I’ve been lacking direction with the daily blog. And that lack of direction dealt a serious hit to my motivation.

See, I used to be writing about anything and everything: whatever topic captured my interest on a given day. That’s all well and good, but the problem with that is there’s so much to write about, I have no idea where to start half the time.

…so I don’t.

Say what now? (via GIPHY)

For real, I’ll just look at this mountain of possibilities as a huge chore, and then decide not to write. I’m that much of an idiot.

BUT.

I’m back (again). And I’ve actually taken some time to think and find my focus, figure out what to consistently write about. I think I’ve somewhat got it down:

I’m going to blog about life lessons, literature, and whatever trending topics I feel I can actually contribute something meaningful to. Above all else, I am going to tell stories.

I know, I said I’d found my focus last post. I said life lessons through storytelling were the new vibe, and I was going to keep at it. And now I’m changing things up again.

Before you start complaining, dear Reader, do two things. First, refer to the opening quote. I’m going to mess up sometimes, but that’s okay — a̶ ̶w̶h̶i̶t̶e̶ ̶m̶a̶n̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶o̶l̶d̶ ̶l̶i̶t̶e̶r̶a̶t̶u̶r̶e̶ ̶s̶a̶i̶d̶ ̶s̶o. such is human nature. Second, understand that I am twenty years of age.

I ain’t lived long enough to solely focus on life lessons.

Yute since day, fam. (via GIPHY)

I mean sure, I’ve had plenty of enlightening experiences thus far. I’ve loved and been heartbroken, I’ve been an asshat and grown into a relatively decent human being, and I’ve written my way from aspiring writer to author of both a short story collection (which was trash) and a poetry collection (which is less trash and I’m actually trying to traditionally publish).

So yes, I’ve done stuff. But I haven’t done enough to warrant daily life lessons. Hell, I’m not even technically fully matured yet, emotionally speaking. I’m just a guy with some words and a desire to put those words out into the ether. You know how it is.

All said, I’m done trying to put things off. I may still need some time to really get into the flow of things, so I’m right now only promising blogs every other day. Truly, a daily maybe.

Isn’t it? (via GIPHY)

Now, dear Reader, I’m sure you must be asking: “Where’s the lesson you promised in the title? How do I stop acting like a child?”

The answer’s in the subtitle.

Have you been paying attention? Have you seen what I’ve been doing throughout this entire post thus far? Did you watch closely, dear Reader?

The key to not acting like a child is to not only recognise your issues, but call yourself out on your own bullshit. I’ve been lazy with my blog, and though I’ve had reason for a slight lull, this level of break is ridiculous. The “Daily” Maybe my ass.

So I’m calling myself out, acknowledging my issues, considering what my strengths are, and setting a reasonable target. What’s more, I’m publicly challenging myself to be better, just by writing this post. I’ll get to consistent daily blogging — just you wait — but for now, I’m just trying to keep us both satisfied with my level of quality.

I’m trying. Hopefully, dear Reader, you’re willing to take a chance with me as well.

And that’s that.

🍉 I’ve taken to a new editing style. Typically, I put in pictures and GIFs as I’m writing. The creative process is dragged out a little, because although my focus is primarily on my writing, it’s still split between that and deciding what GIF would be funniest at any moment. Now, I’m just writing first, taking more time to think about my words, and doing the fancy stuff in post.

It’s a lot less stressful.

I’m also writing on my phone now, actually being a bloody writer and writing whenever inspiration hits, instead of only when I can access my laptop. Making moves for us, dear Reader.

On an actual personal note (that’s what this end section is supposed to be for), I’ve realised just how many alleged “kids shows” I’ve been sleeping on. You’d think that as a massive fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, I’d have learned not to write off kids shows on face value. I recently started watching Total Drama Island, and I’m really enjoying it. The Amazing World of Gumball and Gravity Falls are next.

I’ll stop judging shows by their covers, I swear. (via GIPHY)

Ooh and I’ve discovered a love for really cool interior design videos! I’ve been watching a bunch of them recently, and they’re really inspiring me creatively. I’m so excited to mess around with my own space one day.

Alright, I’m done; sorry again for being gone for so long. I’ll make more effort for real this time, I promise.

Till next we meet,
Sarim