Slowing Down To Win The Race
Lessons Learned From Aesop's Fables + Fiona Apple + Looney Tunes
Since I wrote āTurning My Light Back Onā last week, my world has been a whirling dervish of getting shit done and taking care of business, as fast as I can.
In my effort to make up for lost time, Iāve been charging ahead, pushing myself harderāemotionally and physicallyāthan Iāve pushed myself in years.
Long story short, Iāve completely exhausted myself. And/or Iām fighting a cold.
So Iām spending my Studio Saturday relaxing, relating, and releasing.
Naps are also on my to-do list. But probably not much more.
Part of me loves speeding through the rough stuff, stomping on the accelerator and racing toward the finish line, instead of dealing with the stuff Iād rather avoid or ignore.
For me, Aesopās āThe Tortoise and the Hareā is more fact than fable.
And Looney Tunesās āTortoise Wins By A Hareā is the best adaptation.
This timeless tale is a great reminder that steady, deliberate progress usually wins the race. While the wascally wabbit might be overconfident and with zoomie energy, the tortoise keeps calm and carries on.
To help me maintain the energy and focus I need to push through the emotional and physical fatigue that comes with DIY life renovations, Iāve decided to slow down and take a step back in a few areas:
COMMENTS + REPLIES = ON SUBSTACK
Iāll continue reading comments and liking those I enjoy on Substack, but Iām going to pause on responding to so many.
The truth is Iām extra sensitive and tender right now, and itās a little too easy for me to take certain comments personally. Some folks like to noodle out loud, which is totally fineābut Iāve got my own oodles of noodles to work through at the moment.
While Iām taking a break, I would like to encourage more interaction within the community. Because this space is about us, not just me.
That said, please keep it kind, or Iāll help you rewind.
COMMENTS + REPLIES = ON YOUTUBE
YouTube has always been where Iāve encountered the most vitriolic responses. And since a certain orange chaos monster returned to Washington, D.C., the volume of hateful comments has skyrocketed.
So I decided to pause all comments on my channel until further notice.
I donāt have the time, patience, or energy to babysit rude dudes or troubled trolls.
POSTS + VIDEOS = ON SUBSTACK
For the next week or two, Iāll only be posting the daily newsletter and new NSFW montages every other day (or two).
Beyond that, I wonāt be posting as much as I have been. I need to catch up on some long-avoided life stuff. My guess is most probably wonāt notice the difference.
POSTS + VIDEOS = ON YOUTUBE
YouTubeās algorithm has been an unpredictable rollercoaster, and my channelās growth has slowed considerably over the past few months.
The more I post, the less effective my posts seem to be.
So, aside from replay streams every other day (or two), Iām switching from posting one or two videos a day to one or two videos a week. I refuse to stress myself out trying to outsmart an algorithm that plays by its own rules.
Turning down the volume on noisy noodles is, for me, an important act of self-care and self-love. It gives me the clarity to listen to my own instincts, not the cacophony of Other Peopleās āPinions.
Personally, Iām not down with that kind of O.P.P.āyeah, you know me!
In my personal life and career, Iāve had moments where I wished I could be more like Bugs Bunnyāquick-witted, always a step ahead, effortlessly navigating challenges.
But if Iām being honest, I know Iām a lot more like the tortoise. I might not be the fastest or flashiest, but I am in it to win it.
As I recalibrate and recuperate today, Iām reminded that most progress doesnāt come from racing aheadāit comes from pausing, reflecting, and savoring the journey.
Hereās to slowing down and winningā¦at our own pace!
Clint šāļø
P.S. Tortoise and hare are optional.
ON THIS DAY = FEBRUARY 15
BIRTHDAYS
1564 = Galileo Galilei = Italian astronomer, physicist, and mathematician
1812 = Charles Lewis Tiffany = American businessman and Tiffany & Co. founder
1820 = Susan B. Anthony = American suffragist and activist
1898 = TotĆ² = Italian actor, singer, and screenwriter
1907 = Cesar Romero = American actor š
1918 = Allan Arbus = American actor and photographer
1924 = Robert Drew = American filmmaker
1927 = Harvey Korman = American actor and comedian
1947 = John Adams = American composer
1951 = Jane Seymour = English-American actor and jewelry designer
1952 = Bill T. Jones = American choreographer, director, and dancer š
1953 = Lynn Whitfield = American actor and producer
1954 = Matt Groening = American animator, producer, and screenwriter
1955 = Janice Dickinson = American model, agent, and author
1955 = Christopher McDonald = American actor
1959 = Ali Campbell = English singer-songwriter
1964 = Chris Farley = American comedian and actor
1967 = Jane Child = Canadian singer-songwriter
1970 = Shepard Fairey = American artist and activist
1971 = Alex Borstein = American actor, voice artist, and screenwriter
1974 = Miranda July = American actor, director, and screenwriter
1984 = Matt Duffer + Ross Duffer = American filmmakers
1986 = Amber Riley = American actor and singer
1990 = Callum Turner = English actor
EVENTS
399 BCE = Socrates is sentenced to death by the city of Athens for corrupting the minds of the youth of the city and for impiety
1764 = The city of St. Louis is established in Spanish Louisiana (now Missouri).
1946 = ENIAC, the first electronic general-purpose computer, is formally dedicated at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
1965 = The maple leaf is adopted as the flag of Canada, replacing the Canadian Red Ensign flag.
1972 = Sound recordings are granted U.S. federal copyright protection for the first time.
1980 = William Friedkinās Cruising opens nationwide and is blasted by critics (gay and straight) for its depiction of homosexuality, but also, as one critic puts it, ā[its] narrative loopholes [and] unconvincing plot twists.ā
1985 = The Breakfast Club is released in theaters.
1995 = The Celluloid Closet is released in theaters.
HOLIDAYS + OBSERVANCES
LGBT History Month (UK)
PORTRAIT + QUOTE OF THE DAY
āI have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him."
Galileo Galilei
NEW + FEATURED
MORE FROM COLLIDE PRESS
Bluesky + Ko-Fi + Linktree + Shop
+ Storefront + Threadless + YouTube
Take care of yourself and take the time needed to be wellšā¤ļø
Take the time you need, Clint - Queen for a Day (or two) in Bed always works for me. šā¤ļøš