10/6/20
5-5:10pm: How are you? What have you been writing? How are you going to approach the rest of the semester? And yes, it’s time to start thinking that way, already.
5:10-5:30pm: Your life as Literature.. Your moments are manuscripts. What does this mean to you?
5:30-5:50pm: Do you see your life as Literary? Why or why not?
5:50-6:10pm: Ever catch yourself overthinking? What do you do to change, if anything?
6:10-6:30pm: How can we use overthinking, rather than fight it? This is entirely a writing issue….. And it can go several ways, directions, climbs, and flights.
6:30-6:40pm: Close….. What’s on tonight’s page?
ASSIGNMENT: Continue working on Sedaris essay. Type a one-page story from your day, and email it to me. Keep writing in your journal…. Record your observations and react to them! Buy Samantha Irby’s book, ‘We Are Never Meeting In Real Life’.
i’m feeling anxious with the rest of the semester. I’m not behind on any of my classes I just feel anxious about all of them not sure why, maybe because of the weird last few weeks and quarantine. Just alot of factors for stress, but I’m safe and have an apartment, and I eat so what do I really have to be anxious about you know. feel like my bodies trying to keep me on my toes
One day at a time, and always be ready to write.
I can relate
The most interesting about manuscripts is that everything can be written. Even when you think it is not very interesting. You learn so much about yourself when you write. It also makes you pay more attention to details
Example?
When I write a story about myself, for example, I automatically become a character. That really helps me get out of the situation and make me see things from a different perspective. When I think its not something really interesting I start to question whys. Example: This morning I woke up and before I made my coffee, I washed the dishes that my roommates left from last night. Why? Well, because I like to make my breakfast in a clear space. But why? Because I know that can influence on my mood during the day. Sometimes I feel like a 3 years old asking why for everything. It really makes me aware about so many things, but principally aware of myself
This is great!! Build on it!!
Im ready to learn how to write different and see how my class mates write. Looking forward to the other book you assigned. Also try to write every single day in my journal!
Want to write “differently”? Write shorter sentences, and amplify your own voice!! 🙂
can you make an observation a literary? Such as the life of a bug your are observing in the grass.
Yes…. Read “Death of a Moth” by Virginia Woolf.
i’ve been writing down my dreams when i wake up in the morning a couple times this last week and i’ve actually noticed that it’s become easier to remember them without having to immediately put my memories on paper. but that’s a small way i’ve incorporated literature into life
Type some of them up, share with the colleagues or me if you want..
I used to do that all the time. I hope to do that again. The other night I had a nightmare about Jeepers Creepers, that was a fun one to write about.
I have so many dreams too, but they’re so weird and random that they seem crazy. Then I forgot why one thing happened or why. But one of my favorite things to with dreams is connecting them to things in my life and figure why that thing was in my dream in the first place.
it’s hard to write things down when you’re still half asleep
That’s exactly when you should write… capture that weird perception and voice!
When you’re not in the mood to do something, especially write, that’s when you should force yourself. What you create highlights a different side of your character and scene-set.
I think my life could be literary because I am always thinking and doing, so I have a constant flow. If I were to put it on paper, I would assemble my life in a series of short stories, including all the things that made me who I am. Plus you are always writing and reading in life, texting, taking notes, signs, menus, and so many other mundane activities. It has to be in your mentality though to think about it in your day to day.
I can only see this all as literary. And not just ’cause I’m a “teacher”.
I will share my dreams too. I also note them down.
To me my life as literature/ a manuscript means that it’s not always perfect. It’s not always the picture perfect story that’s ready to be viewed by an audience. Just like manuscripts are submitted to an editor for revising and improving, sometimes moments in life are raw and it takes time to process them. It also means to me that I view things a particular way, but just as notes from an editor on a manuscript, my perspective can be changed (for better or worse) by other people/ perspectives in my life. By the people around me.
What have you written? What causes you to write?
I think what causes me to write is usually emotion. My journaling is mostly a manuscript at this point because it is that rough draft. That first recollection of my experiences before I’ve had the time to process.
I agree with you and like that thought process. Its like your conscience or inner voice are your editors
well since movies are consider literature then yes I do because I think my life is interesting at least for me I try to do fun stuff. I try to live by the quote “here for a good time and not a long time”
Maybe “literary” and “literature” are the wrong words….. Do you acknowledge your own life? Maybe that’s a better way to put it..
Sometimes I feel as if I’m observing myself work on a task. Happens when I take long drives or write for awhile like my brain does the work but I’m kinda back seat driving as if my conscious is telling me what to do.
I like to view my life not as literary but as it is. I dont try to sugar coat it with cliches and nuanced ideas from films or books. I live my life and thats it. Theres no script or reading ahead to know what happens next and sadly there is no spark notes for the real world. I live in the present.
so does this mean that everyone else has their own literary on the same topic, idea. ect…?
No.
I had a dream last night that my mustache grew. It was a stupid dream I doubt it meant anything.
Then make it mean something, if you want.
Maybe the love of your life loves mustaches bro
What are some dominant ideas or themes you notice about your life?
I feel like I’m in a satirical comedy where life makes fun of me by throwing craziness towards me, but hey I’m all for it
I think my demeanor is dominant
Thats true. Never thought of that!
I notice facing a lot of obstacles, its as if there is not very much “down time” between one challenge and the next. My theme would be struggle because it’s like im always struggling with something
That I will always take a chance because I don’t have anything to lose. And when things get hard I should learn how to rest and not give up.
I see some points in my life as literary. However there are quite a few moments that don’t feel particularly worth of literary note. I would consider them filler in a story. Not key or pivotal experiences. I suppose every story needs some filler though, some not-so-dramatic moments to offer an emotional reprieve.
I don’t acknowledge my life enough as I should. I kind of just get by day by day. I really wish to look at my life and myself from a different … more positive perspective
Start by writing our singular moments.
You should carry yourself with more pride. there is only one of you bro. You have a calling and your still here so your worth something.
Yes. And more important than pride is PURPOSE. You definitely have one. You can even more definitely and immediately decide one.
Sometimes it takes people at an old age to see why they are here. we all have plans on why we are here bro dont play yourself:)
Is this meant for me?
no to Jake
ahahaha
sadness and happiness, and creating a balance of both.
also for me too because I go through the same feeling so I have to remember to not down play myself.
The manuscript can always be re-written, and re-written again…
A common theme for me is sadness but I have been working it recently! Trying to stay positive is another one!
Hello everybody! Hope all is well! My life has been a sort of emotional roller coaster as of late but things have started to straighten for me as time goes on. I’ve come to notice a lack of composure/organization within myself through these past few eventful weeks, but I’ve also noticed my determination to adapt and overcome has increased. I feel this is due to my self awareness to pick myself up and keep going. I hope to use this momentum through the rest of the semester to finish out strong with everybody!
Re-writing is where the growth and REAL education occurs. But YOU have to do it, want to do it, and just move your pen and eyes..
I definitely see my life as a comedy and an adventure that I take on day by day with whatever problem I have at the moment.
I do indeed see my life as literacy because, it is a goal of mine to learn something new everyday, to cherish every moment, and to not sweat the small things in life! Don’t get me wrong my life isn’t perfect by all means which is another reason why my life is literacy, somedays my day goes as planned and somedays it doesn’t.
The variance itself is a story…
JOURNAL MORE!!! Consider more of the moments you disregard or ignore.
Again, I see everyones life as a story. Everyone has a different one and it ends differently for many people. So many people have taken their life and further it into literature.
At some points, I can’t even believe I’m real. There are so many people in this world and how can a 17 year old girl make a difference in this huge world. How can someones actions make a huge ripple in other peoples lives. It boggles my mine a little bit.
I do that same thing all the time! It blows my mind
I try my best to see my life as a literary. Like in a movie where I am the director and the main actress. It really set me free from all the expectations that I felt that society was putting on me. I want to life in a way that I will be satisfied in the end because of me, cliche I know, but it is real.
what if you are meant to ignore them
You aren’t “meant” to do anything. You decide EVERYTHING.
Forget about literary!!! So you see yourself, your story? What do you see?
I don’t see a story because the present is the only way not to feel guilty of the past and anxious of the future. To analyze the past or future should be a rare occurance in order to keep emotional stability. just my opinion though
All good! Good to have opinions.
A 17 year old girl scared of becoming an adult and scared for the real responsibilities of growing up. But still doing every day grown up things without realizing it and knowing it everyone goes through it.
I see strength and a world with infinite possibilities. That is why I see myself as the director of this ”movie”, or the author of this ”book”. I am the only one in charge where
A kid stuck in a well with two options try an climb out or die…I’m not one to just keel over, always struggling my way out of the hole, won’t stay there. I can guarantee that
I find it really frustrating whenever I don’t have my journal because I feel like there is always something interesting happening around me! I have written so much more recently than I have in years, and it is really fun to just sit down and enjoy writing elements of the day or creating stories from what I found. There is usually something interesting lurking around somewhere.
Always. And it’s not lurking. It’s right there. Several topics are.
my life is literary I believe and I create something everyday whatever I put my time in opens a door up for me
Yes, I overthink a lot but what I do to stop overthinking is to either stop overthinking and do whatever it is that I’m overthinking about or just go distract myself by playing basketball or just going for a drive. Once in a while I just go fishing.
Can be tough sometimes.
Overthinking…. I do it all the time. Not trying to come off as an authority on this one. Looking to learn.. 🙂
I try telling myself not to think at all…. Only works some of the time.
I do my best not to overthink and when i do overthink things I take a second to calm down and collect myself. thats worked for me my whole life.
Good!
I overthink EVERYTHING and it really has an impact on what I do and how I do things. It’s good to be cautious with certain things but don’t let the voice in your head stop you from living your life to the fullest
When I find myself overthinking I usually just have to tell myself to relax. Usually when I overthink something it is at my grandparents ranch when I am working, my grandfather normally catches me doing this and tells me to stop overthinking that I am making it harder than it is.
This is a great question! I overthink everything! sometimes it can be bad. I try to distract myself also with work.
Work is a great distraction… it can also cause more thinking!
I overthink so much and it sucks! Overthinking is an obstacle that I think everyone has to overcome at some point
It does suck.. wish there were a silver bullet.
I used to overthink a lot of things but recently I have been trying to work on it.
Good! What have you found?
im constantly overthinking. I overthink about pretty much everything. When i catch myself doing it, I try to take a second to breathe, then instead of continuing to overthink, I try to focus on why. Focus on why I started to think down the wrong path and if its even necessary to worry. And it almost never is.
Thankfully as of recently, I’ve improved on my overthinking so I don’t let it overcome me in most situations. I just try my best to make sure it doesn’t come off as rude. Kinda like Sedaris ….
Yes!
wonder what are some healthy ways to get ourselves to stop overthinking?
One I think is to detach from whatever you’re doing.. Again, I’m here to learn on this topic.
Usually i go skate, if not then I will do some deep breathing techniques
I like that. I’ve been learning how to roller-skate and I always listen to music to calm my nerves
Music is great for overthinking..
it’s all about growing at the end of the day. Hopefully it is something that comes natural to us in the future
I’m overthinking right now…
one question. is it just me or do you guys think overthinking can lead to insanity?
Definitely, i feel like any person can become crazy it’s just trauma that may make them that way. And with overthinking I feel like i some cases to certain people their own thoughts tend to hinder there ablity to commuincate and express themselves which is somewhat crazy. But whose to say what crazy is, one persons crazy is anothers sanity.
yes indeed I agree! we are I only human man! we are all sorta crazy but also intelligent!
I always overthink too. Unfortunately I think it is inevitable. More for me a thing of how I respond after and how long it takes me because sometimes I feel myself going down the ‘rabbit hole’ while overthinking.
Yeah… the overthought leads to more thoughts, and you overthink those new thoughts.
sometimes that’s is how my best ideas and philosophies have came out of. So I don’t completely rid it of myself
Whatever works!
I overthink this class sometimes that’s for sure (and others)
What would happen if you just didn’t think at all?
Then I would be dead.
Or, you’d be truly alive if you just gave yourself the gift of total freedom..
I feel like the answer to that can be found in the way our country handled Covid.
I’m the queen of overthinking. I can’t help it. It just happens sometimes with me not even knowing I’m doing it which stresses me out. Then I realize I do it, then that stresses me out also. It’s a constant cycle for me. I can sometimes control it and calm myself but it never really goes away and everything is always at the back of my mind.
A battle that breeds more battles.
I feel like I do sometimes overthink but only when it has to do with something important rather a simple choice.
I find myself overthinking quite a bit. It seems to go hand in hand with anxiety. I tend to overthink when I feel a lack of control over things. It feels almost like a coping mechanism, as if think about things repeatedly and in more depth than they need will suddenly sort things in to order for me. It usually doesn’t though, and I distract myself with things I do have control over. I try to ground myself in the present moment very literally and control my breathing, my movements and my overall disposition.