Many years ago I worked in a job I hated with the power of a thousand suns. One source of solace was the long walk from the train station to my office. I would pass a second hand shop and there was often a big orange tabby cat sleeping in the display window. For some reason seeing that big cat made my heart happy. Maybe it was just seeing another creature enjoying the simple pleasures of life. I never quite understood this. The kitty is probably long gone but I still remember how happy I felt when I saw it.
Hahahaha, "Buying fabric but not sewing with it is unearned status" immediately took me back to emptying out my craft space before we moved cross-country, and I so deeply identify with the need for a reminder! Working in a middle/high school, I say "lock in" to teens a lot, but not enough to myself. And just like earned status and unearned status, I'm noticing that there's a real locking in (deep work, if you will?) and a faux locking in, which is maybe being busy at an adjacent task but not truly focusing on what you really want or need to do (the way Julia Cameron talks about over-reading rather than creating in The Artist's Way).
This is such an interesting and helpful distinction! I think it's a great question to ask before we decide what we're posting on social media, how we're even approaching social media, etc.
Also I immediately started humming "How much is that doggy in the window..."
I think it is great that you brought this up: Earned vs. Unearned Status. It is so important! It's easy to get stuck in this status chase. I have not read Bloom. By the way you put it though, it seems to me that unearned status comes from without, and earned status from within, from your creativity. The latter I believe is the only one that will feel satisfying in the long run. The ability to say NO can also be used to step off the chase for status, to say goodbye to any kind of unearned status. THAT act might leave more room for expressions of creativity. And more lasting satisfaction. Maria W.
“There is magic that can only come from actually writing the words, and that is never unearned or bought.” I loved everything about this post, but something about this line in particular really resonated. Thank you.
Many years ago I worked in a job I hated with the power of a thousand suns. One source of solace was the long walk from the train station to my office. I would pass a second hand shop and there was often a big orange tabby cat sleeping in the display window. For some reason seeing that big cat made my heart happy. Maybe it was just seeing another creature enjoying the simple pleasures of life. I never quite understood this. The kitty is probably long gone but I still remember how happy I felt when I saw it.
Hahahaha, "Buying fabric but not sewing with it is unearned status" immediately took me back to emptying out my craft space before we moved cross-country, and I so deeply identify with the need for a reminder! Working in a middle/high school, I say "lock in" to teens a lot, but not enough to myself. And just like earned status and unearned status, I'm noticing that there's a real locking in (deep work, if you will?) and a faux locking in, which is maybe being busy at an adjacent task but not truly focusing on what you really want or need to do (the way Julia Cameron talks about over-reading rather than creating in The Artist's Way).
This is such an interesting and helpful distinction! I think it's a great question to ask before we decide what we're posting on social media, how we're even approaching social media, etc.
Also I immediately started humming "How much is that doggy in the window..."
I think it is great that you brought this up: Earned vs. Unearned Status. It is so important! It's easy to get stuck in this status chase. I have not read Bloom. By the way you put it though, it seems to me that unearned status comes from without, and earned status from within, from your creativity. The latter I believe is the only one that will feel satisfying in the long run. The ability to say NO can also be used to step off the chase for status, to say goodbye to any kind of unearned status. THAT act might leave more room for expressions of creativity. And more lasting satisfaction. Maria W.
“There is magic that can only come from actually writing the words, and that is never unearned or bought.” I loved everything about this post, but something about this line in particular really resonated. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this post. Lock in.