008 | Here’s to All the Makers & Shakers
9:23 AM, Wednesday
Otis Coffee, Tan Couch
Dear Friends,
I’ve thought a lot about the the idea of starting the past few years. Lately, I’ve been wondering if everything isn’t about starting.
I often hear the phrase, “The first step is always the hardest.” And while I can’t do the rest without the first step, the first step is just that, the first step. I resonate more with the idea that “Starting is always the hardest.”
The thing is, starting isn’t done just at the beginning. Starting is done every day.
The hardest part is the first step, until day two or day twenty-two, then the hardest part is … still the first step, but the first step of that day, and it must be taken again and again.
Accomplishing something I want to do, moving in a new direction, making a change in my life or mindset, it means starting over a million times. The thing is, I’m finding I can practice starting and get better at it by strengthening that muscle, but it’s like working out. It never gets easier, but you get stronger.
I’m finding I have to keep choosing to start mentally, but there are also routines and little things I can practice and learn, so that the pathway to starting is clearer.
There are literally unlimited resources out there to help you do this, but I find I need to be wary of letting too much researching become an excuse for not starting. Here are a few resources that helped me recently.
Another thing that helps me is physical reminders as mental triggers, like guardrails on harrowing turns when you’re driving next to precarious cliffs on roads. In reality, the guardrail is not going to stop you, but it reminds you, or maybe gives you a slight nudge when you’re going off the road.
One of them is my START mug. If you want one, email me and let me know.
I made this mug as a reminder that I actually love the work and the process, but to get to the work, I have to start.
I built the habit of only using this mug for when I work (on music, writing, school, etc.), and it makes my brain click on, and I know it's go time.
The reality is, doing anything worthwhile is hard and will always be hard, which is why I think it’s imperative to put our core energy towards things we really care about (which is a whole other conversation) and to constantly remind ourselves WHY we took the very first step and started in the first place.
When I first starting thinking consciously about starting a few years ago, I wrote a toast. I imagined having dinner with like-minded souls by candle light, having meaningful conversations, and rising and looking around the room and making a toast. This is what I would have said.
Here’s to all the makers and shakers.
To all the excuse obliterators.
Here’s to taking next steps over and over again.
To all the crazies out there making it happen.
Here’s to you, here’s to us.
Here’s to starting.
Much love to you beautiful souls,
Shel
P.S. Welcome to everyone who signed up for these letters at the Sofar Sounds Show over the weekend! What a magical night.
Next Week’s Show
Official time change for Thursday, March 14th show opening for LVDY at the Larimer Lounge.
DOORS: 7 PM
SHOW: 8 PM
I kick the night off at 8 PM.
THIS WEEK I:
Watched this video of Noah Gundersen performing "Send The Rain (To Everyone)" unplugged at St. Gertrud Church in Cologne, Germany. I dream of getting to play a space like this some day!
Posted new music to a playlist I curate with my friend Kelsey Yandura called "Sad Songs Make Me Feel Better". We post 7 new songs every Monday and alternate each week on who's curating.
