do beautiful distractions have names?
call 'em out to be intentional.
Thank you for opening up this newsletter. I’m Melissa, a writer & strategist with two hometowns: Memphis and Chicago. Hey, More Kindness is a reminder to treat your creativity like this gift it is.
Do beautiful distractions have names? Yes they do, once I realized that not all distractions come in the form of some ugly, gritty, thing and that some can actual contain A LOT of beauty. For me, my beautiful distraction is social media. Not denying the crazy side of it at all, but I curate all of my timeliness in a specific way and I get so much good out of it. I built a business off of it, I stay connected with my friends who don’t live in the same city as me, I find volunteer opportunities and creative events, and I still get inspired by the incredible Black creatives on all platforms. I’m constantly saving something that’s useful - a recipe, a prompt, a quick tutorial.
It wasn’t until I discovered my goal word count for the fiction novel I’m working on that I started to re-think my affinity for scrolling. From my #1000WordsofSummer project I had 14,000 and when I subtracted that from my 75,000 goal, I learned I had over 60,000 words to write. (re: the eight second video)
I see why some artists and creatives like Ryan Coogler, opt out of social media all together - could you imagine trying to write the script for Sinners while scrolling Instagram? That 60,000 word count doesn’t even include what happens if that initial 14K doesn’t fit into the novel, it doesn’t include any heavy edits and revisions. Pulling out 75,000 from my brain for my first book is a commitment I’m willing to make and as I’m beginning that commitment this month, I’m making some adjustments.
In honor of Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, I’m committing to stepping away from the multiple movements on social media to the movements I want to create in my mind, my body, and my money - here are the tools I’m using.
My Mind: Moving towards my original dream of being an author by scheduling reading time, studying the craft, and setting a weekly word count goal. Jami Attenberg’s 1000 Words writer handbook, Black Women Writers 1950-1980: A Critical Evaluation by Mari Evans, and my new therapist (to ground myself through transformation) are among my tools.
My Body: Moving towards a nurturing relationship with my body by eating more nutritious food, adding more movement to my calendar, and drinking more water. Usually when health and fitness is presented to us, it’s usually about taking away. I needed to flip the scrip and approach from a place of abundance with more good things, instead of focusing on less. Creating a weekly meal plan and workout list, free workout classes at the park, and my friends (for accountability) are my tools.
My Money: Moving towards a healthier relationship with my money by scheduling time to review and track my finances at the beginning of each week to plan intentionality around my spending and saving. This will allow me to take it a step at a time and one day at a time. My WeMate Budget Planner, my Self credit builder account, and God are my tools because Lord knows I need favor on my side to break the irresponsible money habits I’ve held on to (from a place of love, not judgement).
These are my priorities for the month because I know each has a direct impact on my emotions, my spirit, my mental energy. I hope this breakdown pushes you to examine your beautiful distractions and what you can replace that time with. When it comes to guarding our mental health, every single small thing counts.
Next week, I’ll share some tips on how to use social media more mindfully as a creative.
Take care of yourself until then,
Melissa
Black Women Writers (1950-1980): A Critical Evaluation by Mari Evans
1000 Words: A Writer's Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round by Jami Attenberg
6 ways to host a gathering you can’t wait to attend by Priya Parker
Grand Visions and Grocery Lists On Making Art While Life Happens carousel
Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
Want more focus around your money? I treat this budget planner like a journal
Craft Talk & Co-Work with Permission to Write at Sip & Sonder in Inglewood, CA
If you live in Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, or North Carolina and are working to share and preserve Black Appalachian stories, this $5,000 fellowship is for you.
July 15th Deadline: submit a proposal for BLACK AUGUST programming at yes please: a bookhouse and carespace.
A savings and credit builder, use my link to get $10 after your first payment
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