One Year To Live

I generally keep my thoughts and ideas (dis)organized in my notes app. Using my phone and laptop I write poems, ideas, goals, lines from future screenplays all semi sorted and stored away for future reflection.

Last night I was scrolling through previous writings and decided to read some of the thoughts I’ve had during the end and start of years past.

As I was reflecting on my writings from the past 5 years, I realized something quite sobering: my thoughts, ideas, and goals have remained relatively the same over time. It's a strange feeling, not knowing if this is a good or a bad thing. On one hand, it means that I am living my life in accordance with these thoughts and ideas at a subconscious level. On the other hand, it makes me wonder if I should be "further along" on this journey by now.

Despite this realization, I also feel like I have grown a lot since 2018. And let's not forget that we've all been dealing with a pandemic in the meantime. It's a strange time to be alive.

Despite these challenges, I do believe that this is a sign that I need to be more proactive, intentional, honest, and fearless in pursuing the things that I want in life. It's not easy, but I think that overcoming our fears starts with being honest about the things that we're afraid of. It's a challenge for all of us, but it's a necessary step in becoming the person we are meant to be.

This year, I'm adopting the mantra "one year to live" as a framework to guide my decisions. What would I do if this was the end? What would I want to leave behind? What impact would I want to have? Whose lives would I want to touch?

It's easy to feel nervous about the future, but I choose to be excited about creating it instead. After all, time moves forward either way. So why not make the most of it?

5 Simple Tips for Staying Motivated and Focused on Your Creative Goals in 2023

As creatives who also have to pay rent and keep the lights on, it's easy to get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of your creative goals. However, staying motivated and focused is key to achieving success in any craft or endeavor. As we enter another new year, I'm being more intentional about staying on task and achieving my creative goals.

To that end, here are five tips to help you stay motivated and focused on your creative goals in the new year:

1. Set clear and specific goals. Having a clear idea of what you want to achieve will help you stay motivated and on track. Whether you want to complete a certain project or reach a specific milestone, setting specific and achievable goals is key.

2. Create a plan and schedule. Once you've set your goals, it's important to figure out a plan to help you achieve them. This could include setting aside dedicated time for creative work, breaking larger goals down into smaller tasks, and identifying any resources or support you may need along the way.

3. Find inspiration and motivation from others. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who are also pursuing creative goals can be a great source of inspiration and motivation. Consider joining a creative community or finding a mentor to help keep you inspired and motivated.

4. Take breaks and practice self-care. Self care is extremely important to me. Just a quick browse on my Instagram gives you a look into what may falsely appear as an aesthetic, soft life, free from woes, worries and doubts. It's no secret that I believe in the importance of giving yourself time to rest and recharge in order to stay motivated and focused. Whether it's through exercise, meditation, a walk through your neighborhood or binging a new series on HBO, make sure to take breaks and practice self-care to avoid burnout and maintain your energy levels.

5. Celebrate your achievements. The more we move forward, the more we forget how far we've come. In this life of endless pursuit of growth, don't forget to celebrate your successes along the way! Whether it's completing a small task or achieving a larger goal, it's important to take the time to recognize and appreciate your hard work and progress.

And there it is, five tips for staying motivated and focused on your creative goals in 2023. Your mindset determines your actions, determines your reality. So remember to set clear and specific goals, create a plan and schedule, seek inspiration and motivation from others, take breaks and practice self-care, and celebrate your achievements. Good luck and here's to being our best selves in the new year!

23 Resolutions for 2023: How ChatGPT is Helping Me Take My Creative Practice to the Next Level

As a queer black artist, I'm always looking for ways to embrace new technologies and tools that can enhance my creative practice. That's why I was really excited to try out ChatGPT, a conversational AI model that can help you brainstorm and generate new ideas. If you’ve seen some of my recent posts on TikTok and Instagram, you may have witnessed some of the ways in which AI tools like ChatGPT and DALL•E have already integrated themselves into my creative process.

click to watch!

To that end, I figured, what better way to start the new year than by using ChatGPT to come up with a list of new year's resolutions? So, with the help of this handy tool, I've come up with a list of 23 resolutions specifically tailored to my identity and goals.

From networking with other artists and creatives to experimenting with new mediums and techniques, these resolutions are all about taking my creative practice to the next level. And I'm excited to see how ChatGPT and other AI tools can help me achieve these goals and integrate technology into my daily life as an artist.

So here's to a productive and creative 2023! I can't wait to see what the new year brings and how these resolutions will help me grow as an artist.

Check out this list of 23 Goals I have for 2023, brought to you by ChatGPT:

1. Set specific, achievable goals for my career as a filmmaker and content creator.

2. Work on building my personal brand and expanding my online presence.

3. Spend more time on personal creative projects, such as writing music or making art.

4. Prioritize my physical health by consistently exercising and practicing yoga.

5. Take care of my mental health by setting aside time for self-care and mindfulness practices.

6. Learn a new skill or take a course to expand my knowledge and abilities.

7. Find ways to give back to my community, whether through volunteering or supporting causes I care about.

8. Practice gratitude and focus on the positive aspects of my life.

9. Set boundaries with my time and energy, and make sure to prioritize self-care.

10. Travel to new places and have new experiences.

11. Build and maintain meaningful relationships with friends and loved ones.

12. Take risks and try new things, even if they make me feel uncomfortable.

13. Work on building financial stability and saving for the future.

14. Practice good self-care habits, such as getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and taking breaks when needed.

15. Set aside time for personal growth and self-improvement.

16. Work on improving my communication skills and building stronger relationships with others.

17. Focus on building a strong foundation for my future.

18. Find ways to reduce stress and manage my time more effectively.

19. Practice forgiveness and let go of grudges or negative feelings.

20. Find joy in the simple things and make an effort to be present in the moment.

21. Seek out new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

22. Work on building my confidence and self-esteem.

23. Remember to have fun and not take myself too seriously.

I hope these resolutions give you some inspiration and help you make the most of 2023! It’s going to be a pivotal year of exciting developments and I’m ready to take it head first.