I am still cruising on a wave of inspiration, which is arguably preferable to a wave of mutilation. In order to keep it going and not psych myself out of putting in the work every day, I've been experimenting with the "Pomodoro Method," which basically means I set a timer for 25 minutes, sit down to work, write, etc., and when the time is up take a break and do something else. Sometimes I surprise myself by wanting to keep going, sometimes it feels like the longest 25 minutes in history, but the idea is that 25 minutes is manageable. I can do anything for 25 minutes, theoretically, and the amount I get done in that time isn't really the point, it just works for me psychologically to make this appointment with myself. It doesn't feel so daunting to commit that time, and I find it's productive more than it isn't. I highly recommend this method, particularly if you are a procrastinator (I'm in procrastination recovery right now but I'm aware I could backslide at any moment).
Otherwise, everything else churns on. It's kind of sort of spring, which can be a life-affirming time to live in New England. My kid is going to 12 next month which is bananas, if you ask me. I've spent more time at my office this week than I have in a long time and it's been good-weird. Just trying to keep my head up in these times when you can't let go and be too comfortable in any state of mind, just trying to feel good without anticipating the drop of that motherfucking other shoe.
The dining room of my workplace is a really good backdrop for an old-timey portrait. I think the yoga pants and wrinkled top really make the whole thing, like maybe in 100 years all the portraits will look like this, a true representation of our pandemic era.