5-5:10pm: How was your day? What did you see? Where were you? What did you do?
*For tonight’s page: There is always instruction right next to you and all around you. Always. Invariably.
Also, if you’re ever “bored”, or blocked with writing, YOUR writing, make it not so. And yes, it’s that easy.
5:10-5:35pm: How would you describe your story? Don’t spoil anything, tell us a bit about your character. Try to be removed in this answer, in your read of your own story. Read you as someone other than you.
*If this isn’t helping, the whole ‘not as you’ idea, then just write furiously unconcerned with any readers. Put everything to page and edit what you want, later.
5:35-6pm: Now what….. Well, we keep going. Thinking critically about our own composition… what do you learn from yourself, and how you write? What have the first two authors taught you on considering your own story a little further?
6-6:20pm: Continue the Comedic Consideration……. Have there been any times recently where you just had to laugh? Did it help? Why is humor valuable in finding Truth?
*Laugh at yourself, write the laughs then build off them … laughing at self for being stressed, and what the laughing does.. how do you see the stress now? Even if it doesn’t work, keep trying.
6:20-6:30pm: Close, the night’s page, YOU and your story, seeing truth and humor in your current room and frame.
Note….. Anxiety can be defeated through humor. Humor is Truth, it is also instructing and enriching, LIFE-SAVING.
ASSIGNMENT: Write me a funny email.. make me laugh. Any length. The more impassioned and interested you appear to be in your own writing the more bloody credit you get. Imagine that.
ASSIGNMENT: Go learn about David Sedaris….. Anything. BUY THE BOOK IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY.
#professormikey 
In this moment, my story comprises of a need for a limitless observation projection. My character has reached a point where they don’t want to react instantaneously, deliberate or continue to live in a high functioning anxious state of being. I read my own story and realize the need to depend on awareness and quietness of the mind to live more joyful, peaceful, blissful times.
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Love this.
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My, story is of long, and finding propose, I was the odd man out in many cases. I am the black sheep of my family, and I don’t tend to fit in any time soon. my art is an extension of my emotions, I can go days and weeks being by myself, because I am use to being alone, not entirely alone, but alone enough not to miss companionship.
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I have never really thought about what I say to describe my story. I would have to describe my story as hectic at times but overall happy and filled with things I enjoy. Something that is hard for me is to write freely when I know someone else is going to read it. Practicing being removed from my writing is something I need to work on.
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Thats a great way to describe it, hectic yet happy very cool!
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is it crazy how one major event that can happen in your life, can derail everything.
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I can agree with this.
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What have Lawson and Irby told you to look at, in yourself?
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These books came into my life at a time that I’m already doing so much self reflection and prioritizing. Reading their work told me to look at what I’m doing and be proud of it. I’m not defined by anything, so why let anything get in my way?
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Both Lawson and Irby made me be more open minded in how I view myself as mostly since I don’t tend to embrace myself the way that I should be doing
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I think my story would still have a lot of questions surrounding my character from a readers perspective. There has definitely been growth as a character and a change in perspective over the last few years or chapters. But still a lot left to be determined regarding where the character and story will go.
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Thank you for posting. Can you please change your profile name to spell out your entire name, so I can give you credit? Thank you.
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Sorry about that, not sure why that happened.
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The first two authors taught me not to be afraid of people judging me, and just put everything on paper. I also never thought of my writing style and always thought that it had to be very professional but with Lawson and Irby I liked their writing style more than many books I’ve read and want to engage with the reader more in my writing than just telling a story.
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They both set forth the idea of not caring what people think about you, and live life how you want to. To be confident.
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Lawson and Irby have told me to look at myself as an open book. Just accept who you are and become stronger because of it. Embrace yourself.
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YES.
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I feel like Irby and Lawson, have both spread the message of self love.
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Lawson taught me something about speaking up and not feeling alone, absolutely. But Irby has taught me I can enjoy something I don’t like? and learn something along the way. Its like doing yard work when you’re young, youre tired and you dont want to shovel chicken poop anymore, but then you get to fertilize the the garden and learn about how different plants thrive and how tasty organic carrots are. Except the chicken poop is Irby’s writing style and the knowledge is plenty of lessons along the way about another persons life.
Just joking, her writing style isn’t chicken poop, its just not my favorite. But I can honeslty say I learned things along the way.
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Like what? Be specific.
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The perspective of a heavier person and the body shaming she recieves. The humor she uses about it.
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About her experience married to woman with kids of her own, about moving from a city to a rural area, and about self appreciation.
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the fundamental thing that has really stuck with me from reading these books are to not feel afraid of my writing and how I choose to express myself. I spent a lot of my writing since high school incorporating my personal life experiences to strengthen my papers but it also left me feeling vulnerable to the point I would put myself down or telling myself I should write something else. BUT I shouldn’t apologize for my writing because I surely are not sorry for being me. Thanks Lawson and Irby!! and also thank you professor Mikey for having us read such impactful books.
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They told me to look at why I’m doing things. Am I doing things for myself or for other people? Am I suppressing my anxiety to make others comfortable instead of managing it? Am I trying to look a certain way because I think I look good or because society tells me I won’t be loved if I don’t look a certain way? Am I saying I’m not crazy because it’s true or because society stigmatizes it?
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my story is filled with a lot of growth and tragedy. I was never the coolest kid in my middle school, and I did my absolute best to fit in with the ” cool kids ” in high school. I eventually did, but it had gained me nothing but enemies. Now here I am. I am trying to improve myself daily physically and mentally and growing with the goal that someday I will achieve everything I ever wanted. I have become wiser, funnier, and have become more me than I have ever been.
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Lawson and Irby have told me not to sensor myself. To stop caring what others think and love everything about myself.
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My story has taught me that people will mislead you to believe that you aren’t good enough if you let them, especially if you try to please everyone. At the same time you are your own worst enemy. No one else can ruin or fix your life but you.
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The two authors taught me that perspective is key and broadened up my view on different writing styles.
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Is there a best way to reach you regarding grades?
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Text me. And if you have already, do it again and keep bothering me.
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So far I have text and emailed. Please consider this me bothering you.
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Lawson and Irby both definitely taught by example how important individuality and staying true to that is. And not worrying about ‘acceptance’ even from the reader of your book but write for you like we talked about before.
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heck yes!
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Okay everyone, I’m free. Let’s do this. What about your story and how are you writing it?
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I’m writing it from the middle-of-a-circkle-perspective. Because it’s MY life. I want to include every ray that my being hits into my story. they all contribute.
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What I have learned about myself so far is that it’s okay to validate your emotions and to put myself and my metal health first. These two authors have taught me to not be afraid to express how I feel and taught myself how I can love myself more through self reflection.
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Has anyone taught themselves something recently?
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yes!! I taught myself how to keep patience, and I taught myself a new riding discipline (western)
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Im learning spanish… sorta, by playing games in spanish. Kinda like watching movies in other languages but its interactive and I have to understand what I’m deciding to say.
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Does reteaching count? Definitely have done that recently
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OF COURSE.
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I’m taking Spanish but since distance learning really effects the learning process I’m having to teach myself a lot of it. I don’t mind it, so far it’s helped me learn more about my learning styles and what helps the information stick. It’s also unlocking old memories of songs and tools I learned in high school Spanish.
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Tell the reader about your experiences…
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Value and be an eager reader of YOUR story.
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I havent taught myself yet, but I want to try and teach myself French. Not sure how that would go.
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I am thinking of Lawson right now.. Remember when she was in pain at the hospital shouting for the EXACT name of the drug she needed to “fix” her gallbladder pain and Victor embarrassedly said something like “stfu you sound like a drug seeker.” (Hahahaha) Colleagues, I simply acknowledge the main concept here as believing and proclaiming that an easy solution to pain or problems or the viewing the outcomes of desires just need to arrive ASAP, but it’s sort of counterproductive because if someone doesn’t take the appropriate measures toward them, they become less capable of experiencing the end goal achievement. Like….there’s a high probability the hospital would deny Lawson prescription medication if she kept acting that way… They’d perceive her as a “junky”. (I need to step back and watch my thoughts more.)
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Love the emphasis on Lawson here…
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the 2 authors have taught me that those embarrassing, shameful, f/cked up stories we have ARE the stories worth sharing or at least remembering and writing down because they carry the most value to self.
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Lawson and Irby both exemplified the importance of being yourself despite what others think. This really helped me put life into a different perspective because I saw that I mostly live my life for others. Everything I do is to help others to make them think of me better. Recently however I have been focusing on what I want and it has made me much happier.
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I have been teaching myself to do healthier habits. When I find myself in a negative space I try to do something healthy such as walk on the treadmill or eat some salad. It’s a process but one I’ve been slowly learning and improving upon.
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ah- I can relate to this mindset. I feel there is always areas in our lives we can improve on and so for me lately I have been trying to make better eating habits. I actually wrote down my guilty pleasures and figured out a healthier alternative and what ingredients I would need and looked up recipes so that instead of thinking about it, I know exactly how to execute.
perhaps you can sit down with a pencil and paper and write down the moments you feel negative and one activity you can do that makes you feel good. Once you have your list, when those unwanted moments happen you can look at your list and know exactly what you can be doing instead. 🙂 it may work! I know all too well when I am in that head space it is almost mentally and physically impossible to think of the alternative but if its already written down- you are able to remind yourself of those healthier habits.
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Valuable thoughts and meditation…
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That’s such a difficult, rewarding process! I’m trying to train healthier habits as well. Luckily we live in such a beautiful area there’s so much to do outside.
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Show more sense and love of SELF in your writing… and, in how you read others’ writings.
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One recurring theme I have seen in both Lawson and Irby’s books are how it is okay to be yourself. You do not have to act a certain way for certain people and letting your full self out for people to judge is okay and not something to be afraid of. Irby and Lawson both have strengths in this are where as for me it is something I need to work on.
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I’ve taught myself to notice the little things I do that I consider normal, may be completely the opposite of “normal” to somebody else and those are the things that make me special or unique. It’s teaching me to recognize differences I see in people not as bad, but just as their normal
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Do Lawson and Irby encourage you to be more playful with your writing and how you interpret your days?
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Absolutely actively trying to keep a mindset to face the word despite unfortunate events that’s both positive and inspired by both Lawson and Irby.
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There should always be opportunity to learn more about self in everything your read, and write..
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You can still want the company of others and be electrically autonomous..
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Do you believe in yourself, or do you KNOW you’re going to make certain events transpire?
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It may be hard sometimes to do so, but there are days where I may think I can accomplish what I want
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Yes, they write so freely. Lawson writes the good and the ugly of her mental illness and Irby sometimes writes about her bowels lol. They write playful by not writing what is “standard” for an author.
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Liberation, in everything you write.
Let me emphasize that, again…
LIBERATION.
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I have long struggled with being self-consciousness (see: anxiety). I’m slowly finding confidence in things such as gaming. Hit another top 1% in a game last week! That’s.. 6 or 7 by now.
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Nice! What do you play? I noticed your triforce lamp i believe the other day! The legend of Zelda is my favorite!
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Magic the Gathering, League of Legends, WoW, among others haha. Zelda is mostly my wife!
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haha – ahh this question is bringing me back to the other days experience! so .. disclaimer is that when I am really hungry I don’t get mad, I get reaaaally sad. I try to prevent getting into these treacherous water at all costs but unfortunately, I went too long between meals. Yes… I began to full on cry because figuring out what to eat started to feel like an impossible task. So I started to laugh at myself while crying and I ended up feeling so much better and I was able to feel what my body wanted to eat. So yes I would say humor is a proven method to cure hunger sadness.
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I laughed when my dog tried to hump me last night. Hes older and kinda goofy. It sounds weird but he does this to people and other dogs that he loves.
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hahaha it is his form of affection. the irony- ohmygosh thanks for the laugh!
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He’s just a bit confused on the notion, but he means well haha
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I can’t help but laugh at the rediculous and traumatic interactions I have with my family. Sometimes it knocks me to my senses how aweful soemthing is, and I can’t help but laugh at how rediculous it is.
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I have learned over time that I write too freely and sometimes need to dile it back a little. I need to focus more on writing instead of summarizing.
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They encourage me and invite me write without restrictions, but there are certain things that I personally would filter out in my own story. Quality > quantity
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Lawson and Irby both have made an impact in my life when it comes to their fluctuating writing instances that I find relatable, which in turn makes me find and fortify humor in my own differing stories.
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What’s made you laugh recently?
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Was driving my sister and her friend to their school for some kind of team meeting and while going to pick up her friend I asked her which way to turn at an intersection. My sister pointed right and said left then took almost a whole minute to think through and figure out which way was right and left again. We were laughing out loud for the rest of the drive.
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A f/cking bonkers twitter account full of tweets that could be weeded down to a focused, world-class, offensive, publication worth reading on any toilet anywhere. I stumbled across it am appalled that I could laugh at such deranged depravity of serious issues such as politics, covid, and relations within.
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Is that the one you sent me today?
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Yeah. It’s obscene.
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Or really awesome. Cheers DaisDayz..
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One thing I’ve found funny recently is some people always wanting to complain, argue, show how they are right.. they just want a skirmish, fight.
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on Saturday when I was working, I was cleaning up a table for a family who had been waiting to be seated, but my co-worker began bringing 2 guys over to sit and I told him no because it was for another family. the 2 guys began cussing at me and left and I whistled at them, waved, smiled( Even if it wasn’t visible through the mask), and told them goodbye. and they just flipped me off, but I began laughing because that was HILLARIOUS, but because they couldn’t have waited for me to tell them we had a table for 2 inside! HAHA
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THIS! Man o man some customers can be the worst and it’s just so funny because no matter how aggressive or rude you are isn’t going to help you get seated or anything happen faster.
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Totally…
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I feel like laughing is a necessity there are so many times I laugh when I shouldn’t, like when someone embarrassingly trips on their shoelaces or when someone runs into something. I feel like humor is valuable for finding the truth because humor brings out a person’s true colors.
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Recently my poor old Tahoe has been having some issues and hasn’t been starting. After spending $400 to fix it three days later while trying to leave a parking lot my truck will not start again. Its one of those things where you have to sit there for a second and laugh because there is really nothing else you can do at that point in time. Humor is always important in life to keep everyone upbeat and helps us be more of ourselves.
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