The Studio Edit: essays I read this week
your weekly curated, not calculated, curiosity feed
I have recently embarked on a self taught philosophy curriculum (incl. curating my syllabus!) which has prompted a lot of questions on how I find the time to fit it all in (especially with a full time job).
The Improvement Journal’s An hour is all you need post sums this up quite nicely. Yes, fitting in your hobbies can feel, at times, impossible. For me, scheduling time is really important. Treat your hobbies like a work meeting. Prioritise yourself, even if that is only for 30 mins. That 30 mins will rejuvenate you in so many ways! Chic Girl Moment’s how to start doing something, instead of saying you will do something is another really helpful post on this!
Luisa’s I want to do everything, so I do nothing essay hit hard for me - this is me!! It reminded me of Sylvia Plath’s Fig Tree analogy and the underlying message of whether we must choose one version of ourselves (my fig tree below). Do we? Can we not be multiple versions? We are multifaceted beings capable of being different things to different people - why can’t we allow ourselves to be different versions to ourselves?
Leaning into all the interests your brain fires around - and choosing what to dive deep into - does require an element of attention. Attention at the task at hand. Attention placed on you. Philosophy Now’s A Crisis of Attention was a sharp reminder that in this internet age where everything and anything is at our fingertips that, that “wealth in information creates a poverty of attention”.
There is a reason why Hot Girl Walks became a thing and this article centres on how the power of walking - thinking on your feet - meditation, and intentional stillness can expand our attentiveness immensely. The key to eating more than one fig and expanding your horizons!
Lastly, I stumbled upon a new personality type: Otroverts. This article from The New Scientist was fascintating. The power of those comfortable in their own thinking without the need for the validation of others can be a powerful tool in breaking through group thinking and the echo chambers that it can produce.
A week’s worth of insightful words - will be back next week for more!
Let me know if you enjoyed this post by pressing the little like button! :)