Some Glorious Distractions for You

Things to do when you're "supposed" to be doing something else

I’m writing a new nonfiction book proposal, so naturally I’ve reconfigured my workspace, redecorated my desk, bought a bunch of workout clothes, designed a houseplant corner I’ve envisioned since before moving into my place 10 months ago, ordered the houseplants for said corner, contacted a spiritual healer currently based in France, and watched MANY YouTube videos.

I’ve also done dozens of hours of research in the past two months, all for a book proposal that may not even yield a book deal. That’s a big ol’ act of faith, or of insanity - like most authors, my opinion changes based on the day (or the hour of the day.)

We all need empty time to sit in silence and enjoy nothing, or to watch stuff and listen to stuff and see stuff just for pleasure. If I devoted all my waking hours to my book proposal, or my full-time job, or this very newsletter, or my Patreon, or my pieces for

Wonkette

- I’d go bonquitos burritos, my friend. And if you are a recovering workaholic like moi, I want to remind you that moments of rest yield moments of creative inspiration. Also, we must rest just for the sake of resting, full stop.

Resting doesn’t just mean sleeping. It can also mean giving your brain time and space to dream a little dream while you’re awake. It can also mean enjoying art just for the sake of enjoying it!

So here, then, are a few things I go to for the pure enjoyment of it…even when I’ve blocked out time on my calendar to “work.” Calendar blocks were made to be turned into YouTube marathons! I hope you enjoy some of these things too. Some of them are free, and most others are not super-pricey. You deserve a break!