When making my list of resolutions this year, a couple of items showed up on the list just as they have for the last decade of my life: “learn to (really) play guitar” and “become a better visual artist.” I’ve puttered around with music and art/design for several years on a project-by-project basis, but I’ve never really dedicated any reoccurring time to improving my skills, always feeling vaguely guilty that I am not any more proficient.
Screw that. This year, I am giving up those two resolutions; I will not become a better musician or artist this year. I’m tired of having these looming life goals that persistently degrade my self-image, especially when neither is particularly important. Naturally, if I have to create something because of a job I’ll do it, but I’m going to specifically avoid trying to create any art or music for the entire year.
Giving up is highly underrated. (Of course, this does mean I’m going to have to fully accept that these guitars are hanging on my wall solely as decoration. Rock!)
Falderal! All you need is three chords and the truth. Pick up those guitars, Mr. Joel. You wouldn’t just let a sports car sit in the garage.
dude. I tried that once. I even took the strings off my guitar. But I just ended up hanging around music stores, which was even worse for my self-image. Maybe you should just get one of those mini guitars. That way you could still play, but you couldn’t take it too seriously and turn it into something all heavy and lame.