Emerging from The Slump
My writing habit really got derailed this year—especially as the coronavirus sent the world into a tailspin. Here's what I've learned during my time off.
Jared White
Expressively publishing on the open web since 1996.
Entranced by Portland, Oregon since 2017.
#mindfulness
Backlash Against The Tech Backlash
We shouldn’t feel guilty about the technology choices that we make. Just be mindful of what those choices are. The real danger isn’t getting addicted to technology. It’s not realizing if we have. So stay aware…but also, celebrate the magic!
What If You Don't Know What To Say Yes To?
We’re all told we need to say No to the things in life that aren’t all that important or meaningful to us in order to say Yes to that which truly matters. But what if you HAVE NO CLUE what is most meaningful to you? What if you are in the middle of a creative slump, an “existential crisis,” or just a transition to a new season of life? Maybe there’s room to give yourself permission to say Yes to that slump, that crisis. Make space for your indecisiveness. Try a little bit of this, a little bit of that. See what sticks. See what resonates. I’m going through this process right now!
Getting Past the Pain of Starting Over
This is your chance. This is your time.
Oh THAT Kind of New Year
My life has been turned upside down in ways both unexpected and thrilling. Here's a sneak peak of what this means for the future of JaredWhite.com.
Portland's Cultural District // SOLITUDE CHALLENGE
Theaters, urban parks, old churches, classic 19th and early 20th-century architecture — Portland’s Cultural District has it all.
fear of failure // YES to essentialism
Do you ever feel like a failure? Ever worry you’re not measuring up, that “they” are always more successful than you are? Maybe the issue isn’t that you’re actually a failure, but you’re struggling with the emotions of failure, and that is something we can work with!
BEST COFFEE in Portland // AWARENESS Training in Laurelhurst Park
This week’s challenge is to practice the power of observation! Learn all about a fantastic awareness training technique I learned from Mindsight by Dr. Daniel Siegel. And of course more Portland awesomeness, more trains, and more coffee! (Yes, Portland has some of the best coffee around. It’s sort of our thing.)
so why live an essential life?
At last, the video you most definitely weren’t waiting for, but got anyway! I’m rebooting my channel with a new name and a new focus, and I’m committing to releasing new videos every week. They won’t all be as “produced” as this one, but hopefully they’ll be fun and exciting and inspirational enough to be worthy of your interest. So please like, subscribe, yada yada, and let me know what you think!
The Calcification of Personality
Self-reflection may be good for the soul, but not when the issue is forced by a constant barrage of the opinions of others.
Emotions are like looking at the fuel gauge in your car. The gauge can tell you how much gas in in the car, but it won’t tell you the reason why it’s full or empty. To know that, you’ll have to dig deeper.
Most negative emotions are the result of misdirection. The particular thing you think you’re upset about isn’t really at the heart of the matter. In the end, everything boils down to this root question your subconscious mind is asking: Do I Feel Loved?
—from a journal entry I wrote 5 years ago #mindfulness
The Struggle is Real but the Darkness is Not
It's helpful to recognize my brain's just a little bit broken.
Mindfulness for Happy People
Here's why I believe practicing mindfulness is still valuable even when you're living the good life. Hint: it's more than just a cure for depression.
Going through a bit of a rough patch this month…reason isn’t important, but what is important is just how much I’m having to wrestle with my brain to stay positive and focused. I almost had a full-blown panic attack earlier this week because I let worry and dark ruminations get the better of me. But I’m making headway by challenging myself to get more sleep, spend more time on exercise, and do something creative and fun every day to recharge my batteries. Living in the now beats battling fictional tomorrows any day! #mindfulness
How to Get Your Life Out of a Crisis Narrative
Living daily as if everything around you is representative of constant warfare is a recipe for emotional and mental disaster. Trust me, I've been there.