It’s Been A Minute

It’s been a minute – let’s talk about pressure.

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It’s been a while since I’ve sat to write a blog. This November was the first time in almost ten years that I haven’t been oversharing in writing on the internet. And honestly, it felt strange.

Many things have happened. I’ve fluctuated with them. The ups and downs keep coming, regardless of whether I sit to write about them or not. I shaved my moustache, grew it back, was nominated for 2 mental health media awards, didn’t win either. I received an unprecedented amount of abuse online for sharing thoughts on a particular political party, and for drawing awareness to international men’s day. I’ve been back to Ireland to perform, celebrate my 30th birthday, and appear on podcasts. And now I’m back in Spain. The year is hurling to a close, and I am feeling… quiet?

I suppose since turning 30 I have felt somewhat different. There’s a sense of urgency. I want to stop kicking cans down the road. I want to start taking things a bit more seriously.

But I also feel at ease. I’m trying to stop forcing things. Putting pressure on. I think we have a habit of doing that. Trying to shape things to our liking rather than just accepting the course for what it is and going with it. There’s a time to bend and there’s a time to relax. I guess I’m learning to stop forcing it.

Other than that, my mental health has been good. Quiet isn’t a bad thing. It almost feels like a down period before I’ll need to exert a lot of energy. Which I always feel happens at this time of year. Closing down shop until the new year breaks. It isn’t a time of year to put pressure on ourselves, make lists, vision boards goals. I Don’t believe in any of that shite. Naturally we’re in a hibernation right now, so there’s no need to put so much emphasis on productivity. It’s neither the time nor the place – however, hustle culture and its followers will tell you different. My advice is to turn away from any expectations that insist you should be making detailed plans for the year ahead.

The year ahead is going to happen the way it happens.