Examining your life part 2

I worked my job for a month or so and then realized I needed more. I added in Ice Skating, as it was something I had always wanted to do.

But come September, I decided I wanted even more. I decided to create a list -- 12 things to do before I turned 26. They were crazy, off the wall things, many of which were things that my inner child would have really enjoyed. They included things like making a portfolio, visiting my dream school, and going to China.

I highly recommend doing something like that for yourself. I chose one thing for each month, but it was flexible.

But it wasn't until my New's Year's Resolutions I broke down even more what was important to me -- I wanted to write and I wanted to read. And more importantly, I wanted to make progress on those things that were important to me. So I looked at my schedule and decided that I wanted to put in the time where I could. My days off were Thursday, the weekend, and I had a short day on Friday. I decided I would read one book that I'd always wanted to read a month, by dividing it into 30 and reading a certain amount of pages a day. I decided I wanted to work on and finish one project a month so I decided I would write one page (later changed to working for 30 minutes) on Thursday and Saturday, and 2 pages (later changed to an hour) on Sunday. On Friday, I decided to work for an hour on my novel.

But I didn't start like that. The first thing I did was to start writing one page a week on Fridays and posting it to various writing sites. It wasn't much, but it was something. I did that page rain or shine, happy or suicidal. I let it be on whatever I wanted it to be and even gained a follower.

I also did small things like Inktober. Challenging myself to something I really wanted to do was the perfect motivator for me. So my advice -- find something small and do it consistently. It helps get you out of your own head for a while.

So where am I now? The quarantine of course. Now all my carefully scheduled time and effort, and getting out of the house has fallen.

Only, it hasn't. Because I found a new purpose. Art and writing. And I have created a routine that doesn't seem arbitrary and is also a lot of fun.


I have found videos and books that apply to what I want to learn which I read throughout the day. I start at 9, because I wake up usually at 7-8. At 9, I watch a masterclass or two or a pixar in a box.

Next, at 10, I read from my book of the month, in this case, The Animator's Survival Kit. I read my 13 pages then put it aside.
 
At 11 the activity varies. I might write something if it's Thursday-Sunday, I might draw for practice, I might do something banal, like wash my hair.

At 12 I often watch a cartoon to get inspired and relax.

At 1, I try to talk to a friend. Skype, call, whatever.

At 2 I choose another activity that seems relevant, maybe I watch something on how to draw, maybe I make my bed, something relevant.

At 3, I do the same thing every day except for Sunday. I go out and get the mail.

And after that, I let myself do whatever I want.

At six, if I want to, I can do some bed related activities (I fall asleep at 8) like writing in a journal or taking a hot bath.

Scheduling, in short, can be a great way to take control of your life and have things to look forward to. When scheduling, think about the things you always wanted to do, and do them. Don't wait. Do it now.

~ Emery