When last I wrote, I was about to run the Paris marathon.
Arguably one of the hardest parts of the marathon is the mental game. Yes, it’s hard to keep your body moving for 26 miles, but a body can do it, especially a body that’s gone through the training to get there. But our brains often try to defeat us. My brain is very skilled at telling me how much nicer it would feel to walk for a little bit, or to stop running altogether. And my brain isn’t wrong; it probably would feel nicer to do those things. But the point of a marathon is to keep going, to get to the finish line. So, what’s a runner to do, to get themselves back on track (pun intended)?
For this race, I tried a new strategy. I distanced myself from the voice in my head. She’s not me! She’s just a bundle of negative thoughts. I gave her a name: Izzy. (No offense to any Izzy’s reading this, I’m sure you’re all very positive people.) Every time an inner voice complained about feeling tired or suggested that I take a break, I recognized it was Izzy talking, not me. And I told her, “Shut up, Izzy!”
The strategy worked for me. I put Izzy in her place at least four times during the marathon. And I ended up with a personal-best time (by over ten minutes).
I think we can try this any time a little voice that knows nothing is trying to hold us back. Does your inner voice tell you your writing is terrible? Shut up, Izzy! Does the voice tell you you’re not funny? Shut up, Izzy! (or maybe use some harsher words with her. You do you).
If you try it out, let me know how it goes for you. Also tell me what name you choose for your naysaying inner voice. Unless you choose Jill, in which case, don’t tell me.
And thanks to Robin Arzón for mentioning this strategy in her newsletter.
Other Recommendations
Website: “Wonders of Street View” on Neal.fun. This gives you a randomly selected, funny or singular or amazing image from Google Street View, as selected by Neal Agarwal (creator of the site). Some of my favorites: sea lions in the Galapagos, an alligator in Florida, the shadow of a camel in the UAE, and climbers on the summit of Mt. Everest. I promise, your day will feel at least a bit brighter after looking at this site.
Website: “The True Size of Africa” (PDF) and, related, “The True Size” website. Do you have any idea how large Africa is? I didn’t. I knew Mercator projections distorted the size of Greenland (making it appear bigger than it is), but didn’t realize how Africa appears smaller. The PDF blew my mind. Maybe it will blow yours, too.
Book: The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green. In this collection of short, nonfiction essays, Green (a well known YA author) writes “reviews” of everything from Diet Dr. Pepper to sunsets to Super Mario Kart; the only connection being that they’re a part of our Anthropocene, or human-centered, era. Green’s reviews are one part history, one part science, two parts personal account, and one part emotion. They are genuine and engaging, even about topics that don’t, at first, seem interesting. It’s one of the few books to which I’ve given five stars this year, and I’d read it again in a heartbeat.
Doing good/Podcast: I’ve been listening to “This American Life” for this entire century (I can still remember being introduced to it by Kat, my co-worker at Vault.com, where I worked in 2000. Kat, if you’re out there, here’s a 25-year delayed shout out). So if you’re already a superfan, like I am, then I recommend becoming a “Life Partner” (their term for paid supporter), not merely to help fund the show, but also because the bonus content they’ve included is truly wonderful. Lots of behind-the-scenes interviews, deep cuts, lost gems and commentary on various moments from the show. Kind of like the olden days of buying a DVD for a movie you loved, because you’d get the director’s cut, interviews with the cast, etc.
Life/Writing Update
I’ve just arrived at Bennington for my residency. The upcoming term is my thesis term, which means I’ll be writing and polishing roughly 120 pages worth of stories to turn in by December. Next year, the goal will be to get some of them published (and to get back to my novel). Stay tuned!
What life hacks are working for you? And what books are you looking forward to reading this summer? Drop a comment and let me know.
First and foremost, Jill, congrats on finishing the Paris marathon, and with a ten minute PR at that. Whether due to Izzy or, more likely, just your own hard work, that is truly awesome.
I, too, am a fan of This American Life. I have always admired Bill Bradley, who was a senior at Princeton when I was a freshman at Yale.
Continue to do good work at Bennington!
I can picture you yelling at Izzy! Love this tactic. Have fun at Bennington!