There will always be friction
Never ending chores, AI browsers, and why you're crazy
I spent years convincing myself I'd start a podcast "when work calmed down", and even contemplated never starting because “the market is so saturated” and “I don’t have a niche”. I was thinking about this recently because I heard this described as “not me, not now” syndrome: the idea that “someday” the conditions will be better, or it will be easier, to do the thing you really want to do.
What I've realised after starting is that I was essentially waiting for a world without friction, and that world doesn't exist. The friction never really goes away. Even after you start, there's still going to be some level of friction at every step along the way, and that includes things you generally love doing.
Running a podcast involves guest outreach and scheduling, writing involves editing, starting a business involves boring admin. I’m sure it’s why every single podcast guest I've interviewed has said some version of: "Just start doing the thing." They didn't wait for frictionless conditions. They just accepted that resistance is part of the deal.
This week, a colleague shared a trick they use when stuck: dump your vague goal into any GenAI tool. "I want to start a YouTube channel", "I need to write that email", "I want to travel more."
It'll immediately spit back something concrete to react to instead of you staring into the void. The advice won't be perfect, but it breaks the wall of friction and gives you something to get started with.
Anyway, yes, my realisation is basically “there is no project without chores or un-ideal elements, and there will always be more popping up”. Not original, but I think it’s helpful and freeing to be reminded of! The timing will never be perfect, and your project will never be magically easy, so you may as well just start.
On the pod
This week: Michael Box, who somehow juggles running a film production company, actually making a film, a day job, AND parenting.
We talked ADHD, creative workflows, and this gem: "The creative world is so huge and expansive and at the same time, small and personal, that there are things that will work for you that won't work for me, and that's okay, and there's room for that."
Hearing that made me realise my brain defaults to "it’s already been done, it’s too late". Michael's take is the perfect antidote. There's room for all of us.
(Spotify, Apple & full episode details)
Worth Your Time
☕️ Face it: You’re a crazy person — I loved this article and I feel like it gels completely into the ‘friction’ topic, it’s so hard for us to unpack things and imagine all of the stuff hidden inside: « I meet a lot of people who don’t like their jobs, and when I ask them what they’d rather do instead, about 75% say something like, “Oh, I dunno, I’d really love to run a little coffee shop.” If I’m feeling mischievous that day, I ask them one question: “Where would you get the coffee beans?” »
💡 The Art of Digging Your Heels In — A short post about keeping going despite turbulence, and making things into a game
🤖 The “AI-browser” Dia is now open to early access — If you had an Arc account, you can already use it. I’m surprised to say I miss the Arc sidebar, but apparently it’s coming soon.
🗞️ This week I found out about The Sample — it sends you one article from a random blog or newsletter that matches up with your interests. So far I’m finding it a fun way to find new newsletters, and I like the feeling of “random discoveries outside my bubble” even though it’s tailored to my interests. (That is a referral link: if you sign up, I won’t get any money, but they’ll send me 1 referral towards this very newsletter.)
🎵 I haven’t shared music here before but Loyle Carner’s new album is lovely. I’m not sobbing, you’re sobbing!