Managing Expectations to Reduce Stress and Overwhelm

Alright, so there’s a lot of work. And probably, you’d like to succeed at delivering something outstanding. Which I would applaud. But are you getting in your own way of it?

Being in a state of relaxation doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re being careless about what you’re doing or supposed to be doing. You may assume that restlessness, in contrast, shows care. And often it does. But more likely than not, it just comes with stress and overwhelm. And while they can push you, they can also pull you back - or cause you to trip over your own feet.

Take a deep breath and slowly let it out. You got this. Instead, reevaluate. 

What are your expectations?

You can aim as high as you wish. I’m not here to tell you to be “realistic”. Just as long as you can also make peace with hitting below it if it comes to be, it’ll be fine. Being ambitious isn’t torturous in itself. It is only the fear of not meeting your aspirations and not being prepared to fail that can mess you up and crush you. Or even worse, keep you reducing your expectations so you accomplish what you set out to but not deliver much or anything beyond it.

What are your standards?

You can take an honest look at the quality you are able to deliver and nudge yourself a bit above it with every new task or whenever you can afford to do that (having the required time, energy, resources). You can go from a 10 to a 100, but it might be more practical for you to allow yourself a more gradual improvement. That way, you won’t be crippled by perfectionism and end up putting off or forever holding onto it.

What are your approaches?

If you’re a mathematical and strategic genius, you could come up with systems and processes that make the most and the best of what you’ve got to deliver flawless results at a low cost and in a short amount of time. But maybe you’re not and that is fine. What you do then, is apply approaches that seem suitable and, through trial and error, optimize as you see fit while you keep going.

A useful trick that is worth emphasizing is to attempt what is called a Minimum Viable Product first. Once you have that, you can relax by knowing that at least something that is sufficient has been done and is in your hands. From there, you can put more into it with what you’ve got left. This is especially handy when you’re in days when you’re not and cannot give your best. But instead of letting it discourage or even paralyze you, you manage.

Furthermore, don’t overlook the convenience of organizational tools! Breaking down unclear goals into clear steps can free you from much stress and overwhelm. 

CREDIT: AI-Generated Examples done on Leonardo.AI

HorrorStumble is Active!

Last, but not least, that came back! HorrorStumble is what you could call the hospital of this whimsical Art School. It just happens to be disturbing...

Go check it out!
www.horrorstumble.com

Herd Mentality, AVOID

If you see through and are not drawn to adopt herd mentality, you should probably stay away from people who adamantly do.

People without vision, empathy, or any desire to stand out beyond having, maintaining, or reaching a higher social status will continually chip at your self-esteem, making you feel inadequate. They may argue that they have "social skills" better than yours and that, therefore, they know best how to behave. When the reality may be closer to that of them being false, manipulative, and willing to do whatever it takes for the image they believe is appropriate to have. If not just so overly concerned about it that it'll rule you too.

If that's something you can and wish to live with, then fine. My site is not for you. But if you know that you gain the most success AND fulfillment by staying lucid and making bold moves, then please don't give into that.

Actually, Women Can

Never in my life have I doubted women’s capabilities on the basis of them being women. Not even when I could doubt my own.

Maybe the set of circumstances I was born into and raised with has A LOT to do with it, but I don’t believe they’re necessary to be able to see how amazingly competent many women can be. If you’re cherry-picking the shallowest ones and/or ignoring what’s in front of you to make a point, that’s on you.

Mingling with Peers and Finding your Clique

Can’t be a loner forever, or can you? There is a point to interacting and exchanging with others. Or several ones, actually. Burdensome as it may sometimes seem or be.

You get to share experiences and what comes out of them. You gain perspective and expand your horizons. You may split the load and tackle more together. You might even be able to rely on each other and have each other’s backs. You could get support and assistance. Along with understanding, affirmation, and a sense of belonging. Or at least that’s the case when it goes well.

But although we’re all human beings, we have both similarities and differences, and that can get tricky. We may be intrigued and fascinated by what is different, as it leads us to discover and incorporate more. And we may be sticking to what’s similar, as it allows us to simply be without much explanation or justification. And we may be drawn to a bit of both. Alternatively, though, we may instead be repelled by them. To differences because they are disturbing or even disruptive (valid or not), and to similarities because we seek novelty instead of familiarity or do not quite accept and value ourselves and what’s reflected back to us. That and more reasons under or around these.

Whatever may be, it’ll do you wonders to finally click with others. You may find it invigorating or simply reassuring. And while it may not cure everything, it could have an effect on your anxiety and depression, if you suffer from any of those. Because whether we like to admit it or not, and regardless of the extent, we’re meant to have some form of company. And as long as it is for mutual benefit, not much can go wrong that can’t be fixed.

Many of the problems arise when people connect (or, well, “connect”) with others only for shallow and/or egotistical reasons. They don’t care about you as a human being, they care about what you can do for them and their status. And that’s something to watch out for if you’re a genuine person looking for genuine interactions.

If networking is what you’re after, void of any “sentimentality”, then you can very well do that with others who are also after the same. In which case, whether you must be fake polite or rudely blunt to further your agenda is for you to figure out. But don’t bring that nonsense where authentic and solidary relationships are preferred.

Cultures and subcultures change with the years, but they’re generally the same in that they form groups and subgroups. The latter usually displaying what sets them apart, so it is not impossible to notice how relatable they could be to you and whether or not you could identify with them. Always beware of the posers, though!

CREDIT: AI-Generated Examples done on Leonardo.AI

DarkSpectacle is Active!

They are continuing to come back! DarkSpectacle is what you could call the stage of this whimsical Art School. It just happens to be underground...

Go check it out!
www.darkspectacle.com

Libra's Description

♎ LIBRA

Libra, the seventh sign, is an air and cardinal sign, representing balance and harmony. Known for its diplomacy and charm, it is able to bring reconciliation and cooperation in relationships (between people and more). Often associated with beauty and grace, it takes notice of aesthetics and composition. Furthermore, the ability to see and weigh both sides of a situation allows mediation with ease. The scales point to its quest for symmetry and proportion. And beneath this lies a serious sense of justice and fairness.

Spiritually, Libra takes us into the complexities of relationships and partnerships. It teaches us the importance of cooperation and compromise, along with respect for equilibrium.

For context and more of relevance, please read about The Zodiac.

You Can Say No

Remember, everyone...
You can say No and still be a good person.
You can help others out without destroying yourself.
You can prioritize yourself and those closest to you while also extending a hand to your neighbors.
You can be selective about who you let into your life.

Compassion is good, but so are boundaries.
You cannot give from an empty or broken cup.

10 Things that Make You Become or Remain Dumb

More likely than not, you don’t want to be or stay too dumb. At least not awfully so. Sure, ignorance is bliss and curiosity killed the cat, and we might spiral down if we go down too many rabbit holes to get to the bottom and leave no stone unturned, but you could do with being a bit smart or smarter than you are.

Especially nowadays, when information sharing, in various forms, has become what positions you among the rest. And it’s as if everyone is eager to have a stance on whatever the current topics are. And even when they aren’t, they might be pressured to (not that you always have to give in, but it can put you against the wall). Furthermore, though not new, too many people go around taking advantage of whoever they can by being “clever” and trying to outsmart them - employing tactics and maneuvering in ways that you could miss.

So what can you do to get out of your ignorance and proceed further toward awareness? Catch yourself whenever you’re doing or about to do any of the following and instead keep yourself from them.

• Never asking questions, too afraid to appear uninformed.

• Being too stubborn with what you believe or not stubborn enough.

• Indulging in wishful thinking or being consumed by fearful thinking.

• Overelying on whether or not the information comes from what are considered “reliable sources” rather than practicing discernment.

• Accepting views and opinions as facts based on whether they are popular or unpopular takes.

• Persisting in echo chambers or concentrating on devil advocates.

• Refusing to consider hypotheses and theories that haven’t been sufficiently proven (assuming that proven = true and unproven = false, or a complete dismissal of fiction).

• Alternatively, refusing to ever reach any firm conclusion because you do not know what you do not know.

• Blind faith in what has been already established, as if it is somehow not prone to any error or corruption. 

• Failing to take proper care of yourself (physically and psychologically) and letting your brain functions decline.

Now, which have you fallen into to an extent that has undoubtedly dumbed you down? What else has? How can you start turning it around?

CREDIT: AI-Generated Examples done on Leonardo.AI

PhantomShuffle is Active!

As promised, they're coming back! PhantomShuffle is what you could call the library of this whimsical Art School. It just happens to be haunted...

Go check it out!
www.phantomshuffle.com

Expansion Places are Coming Back!

You might remember PhantomShuffle, DarkSpectacle, and HorrorStumble. They were side sites being built along this main one. And as things became unexpectedly hectic, I had to pause their construction and put them behind curtains. Well, they will be back this month! So if you’re into and can handle the extra delving, regardless of how upsetting and unsettling it can be, you might like them and I’d suggest you check them out and keep up with them!

They are three (and you can find your way to them at the bottom of the left). They will be reactivated one by one instead of all at once. You can expect an opening each Saturday. They will contain much of the content they previously did plus more!

The Damage of Formal Education

Education starts early and takes up the most formative years of our lives. So there’s no denying how much it can make or break us.

You might have been fortunate enough to be put in a school that suits you and the paths you’re meant to take or choose from, promoting the acceptance and development of your unique gifts and talents while accommodating your learning styles. Or at least close enough so that it is still more beneficial than detrimental to your particular self. But quite often, this isn’t the case. You still get out of it with something. But at what cost?

If it was bad enough, you might have to spend more years unlearning and relearning to undo the damage and actually begin fostering your potential, falling “behind” your peers in reaching the established life milestones. But going “out of your way” and doing this “extra” work might not even be optional. It might be so essential to your growth that you would fail to function without it, as if constantly sabotaging any progress.

So what could have been impaired exactly? There are aspects of how we operate that are relevant to your abilities to make art and more that were possibly discouraged or even punished. If not just not incentivized enough. 

• Uniformity over individuality. How dare you be different? Even in the slightest.

• Interdependence vs. Independence. Either work with others or by yourself completely, no matter when and where it is or is not convenient.

• Approval & Validation. But only seek theirs. Only theirs matter. Your own? Pfft. A more qualified outsider’s? Offensive!

• Critical & Creative Thinking. Questioning and doing it your way? You’re not supposed to do that.

• Imagination & Sensitivity. Just trouble. You’re not paying enough attention or you’re paying too much of it.

• Manners over rightness. Who cares about what’s right? That’s rude. Be nice.

• Procedures over effectiveness. Who cares about what’s effective? That’s disruptive. Be compliant.

• Fighting. Not allowed. Regardless of who started it, why or how. It’s problematic.

Looking at these and further pondering them, you could see more of how you or (if you were spared) other students were held back. Granted, a school is merely a school and, no matter how prestigious, cannot always work perfect miracles for each and every attendee. But it’s still a fact that many barely take into account one’s best interests. And also leave out subjects that would help you more.

CREDIT: AI-Generated Examples done on Leonardo.AI

The Return of Linkin Park

As you may have already noticed, I’ve been into Linkin Park since back in the day, when they first broke into the mainstream. Not only were they exceptionally impressive to me as artists, but they also played a major role in my life as I struggled with issues that were, at the time, too confusing and heavy for me. Therefore, it is personal.

I genuinely care about them and their fate as a band. For irrational reasons, maybe, but how could I not? It is in great part thanks to their work that I was able to withstand and get through extremely painful situations, coming to the other side more enlightened.

With Linkin Park, there’s a peculiarity. Other artists I appreciate, I can be like, “Yeah, I get it if you don’t like them. Preferences and all. But I happen to like them plenty.” But if I ever stumbled upon anyone saying Linkin Park wasn’t good (and I didn’t), I would be like, “WHAT?! HAVE YOU NO TASTE?!?” I don’t know, but I’d seriously question what’s wrong with them.

I believe it has to do with what made them stand out to me the most in the first place. At a glance, you might see them as a dark band. And to a degree, they objectively are. But to me, they represent light the most. For it’s as if the direction in which they usually and ultimately go is upwards, toward the light, rather than downwards, toward the dark. Forging virtue as they elevate in consciousness. Maybe they’re aware of it and it was intentional, I don’t know (sorry, guys, I love you but I haven’t heard/read each and every single interview or piece about you out there). However, with Chester and the profoundly unfortunate circumstances he faced, I could take it as a fight to climb out of a hole you didn’t necessarily dig yourself into but ended up in anyway.

Now, as much as I can be concerned about it, I won’t be attempting background checks on the new members. But I do wonder if they’re trying to do something similar with the new vocalist. A character arc. And maybe we’ll learn more about it with the songs in the new album, From Zero. The Emptiness Machine already sounds like it’s depicting the realization that something isn’t what it promised, admitting naivete. So who knows? Obviously, not replacing Chester Bennington or minimizing his story (you can’t even if you tried), but doing more of what they do with a different story.

To illustrate more of what I mean, songs like Points of Authority, Breaking The Habit, and What I’ve Done especially come to mind.

I sincerely wish them the best. You know I root for a meaningful tale where there is significant character development. And if the new members prove not to be a good fit after all and have to leave the band, it is understandable too. I’ll still be a Linkin Park fan.

AI is Taking Over, Don’t Fall Behind

We made it to the era where AI is officially taking over. We saw it depicted in fiction. We saw it start off as some fuzzy and distant dream. We saw it show undeniable potential. And we saw it turn jobs obsolete. This is where we are now. And you will fall behind if you don’t adopt it too.

It is unfortunate, indeed, how it came to be. With no regard for others’ work in the name of technological advancement. And don’t get me wrong. I am aware and agree that certain sacrifices must be made for great changes to take place. But it doesn’t make it all alright. Not all means to an end are justified. And now, that it has become more and more normalized, there’s not much else to do but embrace it. Just like we went from traditional art to digital art, we’ll go to AI-generated art. And find ways to incorporate it too.

A mind-blowing amount of tools keep coming up, and quickly improving, that are based on AI or integrate AI. You can generate text, images, sounds, and videos - or even strategize and calculate data with it. And quite rapidly, it continues to cover more and more areas that once were a human’s domain. Some are still in denial and argue that its current mistakes and shortcomings are proof that it cannot replace us. But give it time. Soon anything done manually will be considered a luxury or a hobby, like crafts already are thanks to mass-production machines. There may be value in it because a person made it, but it will be competing with cheaper, quicker, and potentially more perfected productions that AI will be capable of delivering.

So are we doomed as artists? No, I wouldn’t say so. You can still make art for the love of art, because you crave doing so as someone with a soul and who withers without it. But certain processes in art making are now facilitated via AI, so it serves to look into them and see how they can accommodate you to finish bigger and better projects. Use AI here and there, but revise, adjust, and compile with your own artistry. And if there is anything you wish to be extra meticulous and precise with, or have it 100% be yours, do it yourself. Nevertheless, you should be transparent about what came from AI and what came from you. Taking credit for what you haven’t done is and looks all sorts of bad.

Will AI ever give back to the artists it took from? Maybe. Maybe not. But you could! Be sure to support (and feature) artists whenever you can. I will.

CREDIT: AI-Generated Examples done on Leonardo.AI

Lost in The Middle

You can essentially start over at any point. End old cycles and begin new ones. Choose to do things differently or put more work into them. But, granted, it’s not always so easy and the limbo in between can be quite disorienting.

So here’s what you can do if you find yourself lost:
- If you feel like everything is out of control, do something that you can control.
- If you feel like you’re too incompetent, practice more of what you are competent in.
- If you feel like a disappointment, look at all the ways in which you haven’t been or shouldn’t be.
- If you feel like you’ve been rejected or abandoned, spend time with the people who are always there for you (or do solitary hobbies if you happen to be alone).
- If you feel like there’s nothing left for you, put more that you can strive for and look forward to in your calendar.

You get the gist of it. It won’t immediately solve everything, but it is a start...

Back to School Month

September arrives again!

And with it, the back-to-school mood.

If it suits you, you can indulge it with me.

I celebrate it with academic and intellectual content and vibes here and there.

Another Autumn

Another autumn arrives…
Home, cozy sheets, muffins, and tea.
With cloudy and rainy days making the skies gray,
take a moment to look inward.
It may be scary but you can be safe.