Daily Nourishment for May 11, 2024: The Worst Thing That’s Ever Happened
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 60 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 14 minutes
"What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you?” - Jack Antonoff
Pause.
Do a few rounds of a breath prayer/meditation using a word that represents something you want to receive during the inhale (peace, rest, freedom, etc.) and a word that represents something you want to let go of during the exhale (anxiety, busyness, oppression, etc.).
Prompt.
Listen to “What’d I Do With All This Faith” by Jack Antonoff/Bleachers and/or read the quotes by Antonoff below
“My version of time management is that, when I’m doing the things I love, they somehow create time for me, so I only do things I love. In this line of work, you are either being given life or sucked of life, and I don’t love being in the studio enough to be doing something I don’t want to do.”
“I use everything outside of my work to turn my brain off, like my YouTube life — I watch a lot of food things. When I get home or if I want to take a break, I get into a loop of people making pasta, people frying things. My whole Instagram is just food, people packaging things. I like videos of meat: seasoning, barbecuing videos. But these aren’t things I do! Never! And I think that’s why it’s relaxing to me. I think the definition of relaxation is to enjoy something that fascinates you but does not inspire you.”
“The craft is something you can work on and grow, but it’s just a tool. And the act of writing, having ideas of value and making albums, is truly something from the heart and the mind that mostly happens outside the studio. You get thoughts in the shower or walking or doing things, and that’s a really frustrating reality. The mystery of where it comes from and how it comes? There’s no answer to that. And I really don’t trust anyone who has an answer for it.”.
Practice.
Set a timer for eight minutes and take notes on the worst thing that’s ever happened to you.
If you like, use your notes to start a new poem, story, essay, screenplay, or song.
Want More?
Read “Jack Antonoff on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Producers”
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Upcoming Workshops & Gatherings
—The May Co-Writing Schedule is live. Learn more here.
—SDW Members: Sunday Conversations are happening every Sunday through May 12th from 6:15-7 p.m. CT.
—This month’s Revision Stations Designed by Lauren Winner gathering will be on Saturday, May 25th from 10:15-noon CT.
If you have something that needs revision attention, you will not regret attending. Promise.
Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon.
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