Hi Shubha! I can’t tell you how much I loved and related to this piece in so many ways. I feel like I’ve been following your journey with figment as a mirror while building (and failing) at my startup endeavours too since I discovered it in the a16z batch. You should be immensely proud of yourself, I know I am. In many ways I think I’m in the same place and also severely creatively blocked. But reading this made me feel understood and hopeful and excited. Can’t wait to keep up with your journey and rooting for you through the internet :)
hard relate to losing days of the week and the resulting guilt. you mention returning to a full time job because of the structure it provides. however, i am wondering what you are doing when you are not trying to create, when you aren't trying to be productive. i've started volunteering and working with my parents in the morning to give myself a reason to get up and get started. it puts the rest of my day in context: after an hour of two all i can think about is what i'd rather be doing- and then i get to go do it! (rather than having to wait another 6 hours if i was working full time)
this is SUCH a good note, I definitely think volunteering is something I want to lean on more - also because it's rare to do work in corporate where you actually tangibly feel like you are helping people! I've been shuffling around a bit too much to join a regular volunteering postition these past few months, but looking to join something once I'm a bit more rooted :)
wow you’re so lucky to have all that footage! I can’t begin to imagine how trippy that must feel to watch at the juncture you’re at
I’m in a similar place as you. Having just walked away after 2 years of incessant trying and trying I also find myself uninspired in NYC coming from SF
The annoying nature of subtraction that bank of america follows is also pushing me towards finding a job which I’m reluctantly learning to accept
Anyways, my bestie prescribed me The Artist’s Way to help me w my creative journey so I’m forwarding that to you. She’s never wrong about these things. Hope it helps!
I’ve also been dedicating 3 uninterrupted, caffeinated hours from time to time to deeply research things I would’ve found cool as a kid - parkour, the state of brain computer interfaces, how to run really fast, the physics of radio telescopes, whatever really. Maybe one day there’ll be something there.
loveee these notes, thank you so much for sharing! it's so trippy seeing myself as a child - a version of myself I remember but can't remember how to return to. I'm sure it's been super tough going for 2 years straight and hope that you are finding a moment to rest and recoup amidst everything. the artists way is my bible!!! went through it once, and I'll be going through it again soon! re: deeply researching things I liked as a kid - YES. I was recently realizing that so much of my work and interests stem with my childhood obsession with comic books - need to return to the source!!
Hi Shubha! I can’t tell you how much I loved and related to this piece in so many ways. I feel like I’ve been following your journey with figment as a mirror while building (and failing) at my startup endeavours too since I discovered it in the a16z batch. You should be immensely proud of yourself, I know I am. In many ways I think I’m in the same place and also severely creatively blocked. But reading this made me feel understood and hopeful and excited. Can’t wait to keep up with your journey and rooting for you through the internet :)
thank you so much neeha! I feel so seen! things are definitely looking up - rooting for you too :)
hard relate to losing days of the week and the resulting guilt. you mention returning to a full time job because of the structure it provides. however, i am wondering what you are doing when you are not trying to create, when you aren't trying to be productive. i've started volunteering and working with my parents in the morning to give myself a reason to get up and get started. it puts the rest of my day in context: after an hour of two all i can think about is what i'd rather be doing- and then i get to go do it! (rather than having to wait another 6 hours if i was working full time)
this is SUCH a good note, I definitely think volunteering is something I want to lean on more - also because it's rare to do work in corporate where you actually tangibly feel like you are helping people! I've been shuffling around a bit too much to join a regular volunteering postition these past few months, but looking to join something once I'm a bit more rooted :)
beautiful reflections, thank you for sharing - cheering you on in your next era!!
thank you catherine!!
Trying is the best we can do! Rooting for you always Shubha
thank you christine <3
wow you’re so lucky to have all that footage! I can’t begin to imagine how trippy that must feel to watch at the juncture you’re at
I’m in a similar place as you. Having just walked away after 2 years of incessant trying and trying I also find myself uninspired in NYC coming from SF
The annoying nature of subtraction that bank of america follows is also pushing me towards finding a job which I’m reluctantly learning to accept
Anyways, my bestie prescribed me The Artist’s Way to help me w my creative journey so I’m forwarding that to you. She’s never wrong about these things. Hope it helps!
I’ve also been dedicating 3 uninterrupted, caffeinated hours from time to time to deeply research things I would’ve found cool as a kid - parkour, the state of brain computer interfaces, how to run really fast, the physics of radio telescopes, whatever really. Maybe one day there’ll be something there.
You got this!
loveee these notes, thank you so much for sharing! it's so trippy seeing myself as a child - a version of myself I remember but can't remember how to return to. I'm sure it's been super tough going for 2 years straight and hope that you are finding a moment to rest and recoup amidst everything. the artists way is my bible!!! went through it once, and I'll be going through it again soon! re: deeply researching things I liked as a kid - YES. I was recently realizing that so much of my work and interests stem with my childhood obsession with comic books - need to return to the source!!
so relatable and excited to see what u do next!
thank you ivery!!!
go shubha!! this was very relatable and I trust you'll figure it out. the messy middle is very long and arduous for sure...
thank you connie!! it's messy and nonlinear and it's adventure! rooting for us both :)
life is full of ongoing discovery! re-direction, growth and clarity are never points of failure!! thanks for sharing, shubha. rooting for you!
thank you michelle! :')