You Can Hold Both

I started December with the intention of publishing a post every day for a year and save for two days since then, I’ve kept to that.

But how do I interpret those two missed days?

The more puritanical part of my brain insists I call the experiment a failure. After all, I didn’t publish a post every day. Just almost every day.

Down this path, I’d again be at Day One. But a slightly more jaded Day One. Starting from this Day One, bailing from the endeavor all together becomes a much more appealing option.

By demanding perfection without any space for self-compassion, I could end up resentful of the very craft I’m working so hard to cultivate.

I wonder, though, if it’s possible to be both successful in my endeavor thus far while also missing two days? Are these truths? If so, can I hold both of these truths at once?

I think I must.

If my end goal is to truly to develop into the best, most consistent writer that I can possibly be, then I must.

I don’t work well in a puritanical state. It’s oppressive and squeezes the joy out of whatever part of my life I’m trying to work on.

Instead I’ll choose the more nuanced state. The more compassionate state.

And this is the state that has me sitting here today, pecking away. Continuing to cultivate my craft, one imperfect step at a time.