A Quieter Week

The Unlearning Curve #1

It’s been a quiet week, which is what the last week of December should be. A little less productive, a bit more observant and reflective. It was definitely needed.

It came after taking on a small challenge: making 24 videos in 24 days. I borrowed the loose structure of vlogmas and used it as an excuse to play, to work through burnout, and to give myself permission to suck.

I learned a lot about how to make videos. And perhaps more importantly, I spent time noticing how and why I make things.

Before this, most of my creative energy had been focused outward: documenting creative communities, interviewing artists, and paying close attention to the work of others. Over the last year, I started to notice more uncertainty creeping in. I hesitated more and delayed starting. I sometimes struggled to finish at all.

What stood out during the challenge was how different it felt to work without worrying whether something was useful, or worth someone else’s time. Letting go of that expectation brought me back to my own curiosity and play in a way I hadn’t felt for a long time.

It felt like unlearning the idea that I need a reason to make something. No concept to justify it or outcome to aim for.

Just deciding to give it a go and see what happens.

That freedom helped remove some of the friction—but it also opened up new questions I don’t have answers to yet.

I haven’t figured out any new system, or developed these ideas beyond a seed. For now, I’m starting small, which feels like where I want to be.

The only goal is giving myself some time to play. I’ll share how that goes.

Phil