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Matthew Bishop's avatar

I feel that — “if I could just withdraw from the world and fully commit to bringing my vision to life I’d be 10x as productive and do my best work and wait why am I depressed and doomscrolling I thought this was what I wanted?!”

That’s why I’ve always been enamored with the idea of a time turner. I could be both a part of the world, and separate from it at the same time.

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Elaine's avatar

Oh wow, I hadn't thought of the idea of a time turner. That would be a game changer, though it could introduce more stress!

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Kristen Felicetti's avatar

Related to this a lot, Elaine! Glad you spent some time away from the page and the screen during your trip to Thailand.

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Elaine's avatar

Thanks Kristen!

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Cory Etzkorn's avatar

Very relatable. I often find myself entering a “temporary period of focus”. One day I’ll emerge and be able to pick back up where I left off. But if you neglect friendships and activities for long enough they eventually disappear.

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Frederik Gieschen's avatar

I can so relate to falling into the space of self-isolation, of letting 'the work' dominate all thoughts, of becoming rigid in relationship with others, of avoiding the depth and unpredictability of an intimate relationship because of its potential to disrupt 'the work'.

"I feel ashamed of how much I neglected relationships and shut myself off from the world back then."

This is found particularly difficult to read. I felt it. I recognized it. And yet another part of me cried out: we tried. We thought this was the way. It wasn't, but we didn't mean harm. Don't hold us in judgment. Forgive us.

I will sit with this.

Thank you for sharing this so openly and beautifully.

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Elaine's avatar

Thank you for sharing your heartfelt thoughts, Frederik. I really appreciate the retrospective self-compassion. <3

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Vinamrata Singal's avatar

Im going through this right now in making my film! Thanks for sharing and a good reminder to focus on our inner worlds as much as our output :)

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Elaine's avatar

Thanks Vinamrata! Good luck with your film!

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