So… what’s been happening?
I self-published Quijibo & Harold and was building some momentum in promoting that book. I had an idea of how much time and energy I would need to put into getting that over the finish line, I enjoyed the process end to end, even after. However, between working full time hours (or more) at the day job, working the book or planning for the next book, trying to create YouTube/Socials content, getting in time to unwind, spending time with my devoted and understanding wife, keeping mind of life responsibilities, I haven’t even included any semblance of a social life here because it barely exists… I’m not going to lie but I think I’ve burned out. I notice I haven’t even mentioned physical or mental health in this at all… and around all this I didn’t have capacity to keep the momentum rolling. In turn this just frustrated me further as I needed to focus on the “real world ” as it took me from my creative endeavours and passions for ever extending periods of time. To the point I turn around to look and see it all far off in the distance. wondering when or how I’ll get back there.
I hear quite often from those around me in different circles that everyone is just tired. It’s been a hell of a year or two. My job has required the majority of my available mindshare and energies. By the time I have the want or slight drive to be creative, to step back into a project, to draw something, or create some YouTube content or set up a Chuntcast – I’m just bankrupted of energy after life items are sorted. I’ve found myself too mentally tired to want to form opinions about the video game news, or keep up to date with the world of comic books. The film industry is a woke mess that is churning out frustratingly terrible product. The video game industry is consuming itself. The race to be the most woke has ruined many franchises potential as audiences continue to reject it. I’ve eventuated to a place where I don’t even engage with most of what’s happening in the communities and spaces I once felt so impassioned. I’ve taken it all back for myself rather than join in the noise conversation cycle.
Now Christopher, how do you propose you get your creations out there for people to see if you’re inactive and in the shadows? That’s a great question, self. Thank you. It sounds simple: just make the time and do it. We all know it just isn’t that simple. Aren’t you wasting time writing this blog piece when you could be working on ideation and creation? There is such a thing as talk therapy… I often wonder how people get there, you know? How do people working 40-60hrs a week, commutes, family commitments, personal time and all get around to making dreams or personal goals happen? Without burning the candle at both ends, over time that alone is not healthy. Tired at work, tired at home. No way to be. Need to make some fundamental changes.
What am I doing with this post? Venting into the digital ether? Perhaps but I’m going to allow myself to whinge a while. I’m aware there are atrocities happening as I type this and I’m incredibly privileged to be able to do so. I am allowed to want/wish for more of my personal satisfaction in life regardless.
I’ll end here. Expect an update in the not to distant future on Quijibo & Harold – Book Two and Guardian of Onar.
