There are times in life when the rhythm and pacing goes a little out of whack. Periods of overwhelm, uncertainty, and change. Times when the walls seemingly close in and everyday functioning becomes preoccupied with specific things that mean other important stuff gets neglected. And it feels like you're holding on for dear life by your fingertips, trying to pull yourself back to a place where you can find a firm footing again.

These seasons happen to all of us and can be triggered by various sources. For example:

Everything gets away from you because of an unforeseen change in circumstances (job loss, death of a loved one, illness etc)

You feel spread thin because of choices you have made and opportunities that are presenting themselves (successes, a new project/hobby, having a baby, getting a promotion or new job etc)

Either way we can experience the same kind of feeling that we can't cope with the chaos that comes with that stimulation. It's important to understand that even when we choose the things that can bring overwhelm, it's no reason to feel shame. It's natural. When we make progress in any area of life there may well be a period of time when it feels like we're holding onto other aspects by our fingertips.

The question is, how do we respond?

This is what I talk about in this week's episode. I go through a few of the sources of fingertip living I've been experiencing the past couple of weeks. Why there hasn't been a podcast episode for two weeks.

It's mostly because of good overwhelm. Yes I believe there is such a thing. As I explain in the show, there are lots of really exciting things happening right now; creative projects, new music releases, changes in The Haven, and so on. Stuff I'm passionate and enthusiastic about. Stuff I've CHOSEN to pursue. Yet nonetheless it's still fingertip stuff because, being a finite being with limited resources, it's taking me away from other things (like the last two weeks of podcast episodes!)

Overwhelm only gets bad when we believe it is a sustainable pace at which to live. Or that somehow we've got to last forever trying to pull ourselves up the mountain by our fingertips. We don't. We can't.

I describe a few ways I've responded to this season in an effort to move through the chaos and out the other end. The release of this episode is evidence that I'm getting there!

When do you let your inner-crazy come out to play in the world?

On your own? With a significant other? With certain friends or family members?

Chances are there is a whole world within you waiting to burst out. A side of you that many people have never experienced. This is no bad thing. It's not dishonest. It's a big part of being an introvert and/or HSP. The question is, when do you let it out? If indeed you do...

What do I mean; "inner-crazy"?

It’s the part of you that is playful, at peace with itself, excited about life within moments of joy, not striving for or scared of attention. Firmly rooted within the moment, expressing the essence of itself.

It’s what you see in some of your dreams, displays of madness where the mind is trying to communicate with itself, some deep truth about how you see the world. A dance, in stark yet gentle opposition to the way things are done. It’s a cheekiness, a playfulness, a provocative curiosity which questions the world by rejecting certain constraints placed on it.

Social Restraints

Emotional Restraints

Creative Restraints

Physical Restraints

In this episode we explore our inner crazy, and how we can let it out to play in a gentle, natural way. I don't ask whether you have an inner-crazy, because I know you do, even if you don't.

Ever had someone say "and I thought you were the sensible, quiet one" in response to discovering some surprising fire in your belly? In the show I explain why this is a good thing to hear, however annoying it might be.

We look at how to react when you fear that people don't like the "real you" as you open up. Hint, it might not be them...it might be you.

When we hold stuff in, keep those pieces to ourselves, and save our inner madness for the shadows we deny the world something beautiful. In holding it back from the world, you deny it from something it needs: pure expressions of your authentic and refined self. It requires vulnerability and courage and it's not always easy. We address all of that in this episode...

When do you let your inner-crazy come out to play in the world?

On your own? With a significant other? With certain friends or family members?

Chances are there is a whole world within you waiting to burst out. A side of you that many people have never experienced. This is no bad thing. It's not dishonest. It's a big part of being an introvert and/or HSP. The question is, when do you let it out? If indeed you do...

What do I mean; "inner-crazy"?

It’s the part of you that is playful, at peace with itself, excited about life within moments of joy, not striving for or scared of attention. Firmly rooted within the moment, expressing the essence of itself.

It’s what you see in some of your dreams, displays of madness where the mind is trying to communicate with itself, some deep truth about how you see the world. A dance, in stark yet gentle opposition to the way things are done. It’s a cheekiness, a playfulness, a provocative curiosity which questions the world by rejecting certain constraints placed on it.

Social Restraints

Emotional Restraints

Creative Restraints

Physical Restraints

In this episode we explore our inner crazy, and how we can let it out to play in a gentle, natural way. I don't ask whether you have an inner-crazy, because I know you do, even if you don't.

Ever had someone say "and I thought you were the sensible, quiet one" in response to discovering some surprising fire in your belly? In the show I explain why this is a good thing to hear, however annoying it might be.

We look at how to react when you fear that people don't like the "real you" as you open up. Hint, it might not be them...it might be you.

When we hold stuff in, keep those pieces to ourselves, and save our inner madness for the shadows we deny the world something beautiful. In holding it back from the world, you deny it from something it needs: pure expressions of your authentic and refined self. It requires vulnerability and courage and it's not always easy. We address all of that in this episode...

Have you ever had that feeling, like some weight has been lifted from your shoulders?

I'm sure most of us have. There's that famous John Mulaney's quote, "in terms of like, instant relief, canceling plans is like heroin." There is something beautiful about being released from something you've been dreading doing.

On the same coin there is a beautiful sense of freedom and weightlessness which comes when in a place where things are just flowing. Those moments where you feel at one with your imagination and playfulness, and have no other agenda or motive hanging over your head.

So much of the stuff in the world around us can weigh heavy. Both in our personal lives and in society more generally. Pressures, strains, and quantity of confusing and conflicting information.

The past few years have felt especially heavy and you can feel a very real sense that this is taking its toll. The news is full of people trying to understand what's going on, make sense of it all, and work our what's real and what's not. While at the same time trying to obfuscate and cast doubt on other perspectives. It can all get pretty heavy.

Weighing Heavy on the Good Stuff

This kind of time can weigh down the shoulders of creativity, playfulness, and imagination as well. They push the acceptability of these things down the priority list. You know, because things are "too real" and "too serious" at the moment to be messing around with that kind of stuff.

In this week's episode of the podcast I want to explore where and why I believe we've got ourselves bogged down. We have weighed ourselves into the ground with the right to understanding, chronically paralysing analysis, and demands to know. I want to talk about how we create this burdensome weight, under which our legs buckle. Our heads have dropped under the strain, so we no longer feel the breeze or dance with the clouds in our imagination.

But it doesn't have to be this way. And it's time for Gentle Rebels to re-ignite the good stuff that makes life worth living.

Re-Awakening With Mystery and Wonder

I’m going through some kind of creative unravelling (the good kind) right now. It happens from time to time; cycling around every few years or so. I feel like it's been a long while since I had one like this. I can't describe it very well. It's as if I've had that unknown weight lifted from my shoulders and a greyscale tint filter being removed from my eyes.

I am plugged back into that inner child who is in awe of the mystery and wonder of both the inner and outer worlds. Even the most mundane moments, I am freely floating in a realm of connected ideas and senses. I can tell because my dreams have suddenly got a whole lot more vivid and weird. Some bizarre stuff goes on in my unconscious brain.

There are two recent events among other things, which have played a specifically significant part in igniting my imagination:

Seeing Mulholland Drive at the cinema

Attending a celebration of the life and works of Delia Derbyshire at Coventry Cathedral

Ideas

I've always been fascinated by the way ideas work. How they dance with what has gone before and pave the way for what is possible in the future.

David Lynch speaks about them a lot. The notion of ideas being things we catch glimpses of when we're open to see them. They play with us and invite us to play with them. Happy accidents that show up unintentionally and serendipitously in the process of writing a song for example. They ask us to run with them so they can show us what they want/need to do.

These moments are bridges from the mysterious world of what isn't but could be, and into some more tangible sensory encounter. Aha moments and creative mistakes.

Have you ever had that feeling, like some weight has been lifted from your shoulders?

I'm sure most of us have. There's that famous John Mulaney's quote, "in terms of like, instant relief, canceling plans is like heroin." There is something beautiful about being released from something you've been dreading doing.

On the same coin there is a beautiful sense of freedom and weightlessness which comes when in a place where things are just flowing. Those moments where you feel at one with your imagination and playfulness, and have no other agenda or motive hanging over your head.

So much of the stuff in the world around us can weigh heavy. Both in our personal lives and in society more generally. Pressures, strains, and quantity of confusing and conflicting information.

The past few years have felt especially heavy and you can feel a very real sense that this is taking its toll. The news is full of people trying to understand what's going on, make sense of it all, and work our what's real and what's not. While at the same time trying to obfuscate and cast doubt on other perspectives. It can all get pretty heavy.

Weighing Heavy on the Good Stuff

This kind of time can weigh down the shoulders of creativity, playfulness, and imagination as well. They push the acceptability of these things down the priority list. You know, because things are "too real" and "too serious" at the moment to be messing around with that kind of stuff.

In this week's episode of the podcast I want to explore where and why I believe we've got ourselves bogged down. We have weighed ourselves into the ground with the right to understanding, chronically paralysing analysis, and demands to know. I want to talk about how we create this burdensome weight, under which our legs buckle. Our heads have dropped under the strain, so we no longer feel the breeze or dance with the clouds in our imagination.

But it doesn't have to be this way. And it's time for Gentle Rebels to re-ignite the good stuff that makes life worth living.

Re-Awakening With Mystery and Wonder

I’m going through some kind of creative unravelling (the good kind) right now. It happens from time to time; cycling around every few years or so. I feel like it's been a long while since I had one like this. I can't describe it very well. It's as if I've had that unknown weight lifted from my shoulders and a greyscale tint filter being removed from my eyes.

I am plugged back into that inner child who is in awe of the mystery and wonder of both the inner and outer worlds. Even the most mundane moments, I am freely floating in a realm of connected ideas and senses. I can tell because my dreams have suddenly got a whole lot more vivid and weird. Some bizarre stuff goes on in my unconscious brain.

There are two recent events among other things, which have played a specifically significant part in igniting my imagination:

Seeing Mulholland Drive at the cinema

Attending a celebration of the life and works of Delia Derbyshire at Coventry Cathedral

Ideas

I've always been fascinated by the way ideas work. How they dance with what has gone before and pave the way for what is possible in the future.

David Lynch speaks about them a lot. The notion of ideas being things we catch glimpses of when we're open to see them. They play with us and invite us to play with them. Happy accidents that show up unintentionally and serendipitously in the process of writing a song for example. They ask us to run with them so they can show us what they want/need to do.

These moments are bridges from the mysterious world of what isn't but could be, and into some more tangible sensory encounter. Aha moments and creative mistakes.

In a quiet room, alone, I dream big. Anything seems possible, and I have the confidence in myself to be able to do it. But then things get real...

How about you?

What happens to you when things get real? Have you ever had one of those moments when you've readied yourself, gone over everything you need a thousand times and all that's left to do is get stuck in?

But then something changes. Stepping into the arena it all begins to crumble around you. You lose your grip on all that you prepared, all that you know, everything that you've rehearsed. Your brain fills up with hot mush and all you want to do is find the quickest route to the exit.

When we’re alone in our own space the world can feel smaller. It's a little easier to control, especially when we’re dreaming of abstract more distant possibilities. Like playing out a conversation or a debate with someone. Or an interview for that dream job, for which you've just applied. The in-between moment when a seed is planted but reality is yet to kick in plays host to confidence.

The question is...

How can we remain confident in ourselves and in our abilities when things get real? First it's worth examining some of the stuff that can throw us out of balance. In this episode of the podcast I look at 5 areas:

The Arena

The Messy Middle

Where People React

Other Perspectives

Realisation of Imperfection

Over the years I've experienced eroding confidence in many areas. From relationships to jobs, gigs, interviews and all manner of online activities, including this podcast.

I share 5 things I've learned that help me better ready myself when I face these kinds of challenges.

We all carry ambitions and goals, which in the safety and comfort of our own minds and space we might believe we can accomplish. But then as we step into the real world where we may get derailed and thrown off course, is it really possible to build resilience to keep going rather than throwing in the towel and giving up? I reckon so!

In a quiet room, alone, I dream big. Anything seems possible, and I have the confidence in myself to be able to do it. But then things get real...

How about you?

What happens to you when things get real? Have you ever had one of those moments when you've readied yourself, gone over everything you need a thousand times and all that's left to do is get stuck in?

But then something changes. Stepping into the arena it all begins to crumble around you. You lose your grip on all that you prepared, all that you know, everything that you've rehearsed. Your brain fills up with hot mush and all you want to do is find the quickest route to the exit.

When we’re alone in our own space the world can feel smaller. It's a little easier to control, especially when we’re dreaming of abstract more distant possibilities. Like playing out a conversation or a debate with someone. Or an interview for that dream job, for which you've just applied. The in-between moment when a seed is planted but reality is yet to kick in plays host to confidence.

The question is...

How can we remain confident in ourselves and in our abilities when things get real? First it's worth examining some of the stuff that can throw us out of balance. In this episode of the podcast I look at 5 areas:

The Arena

The Messy Middle

Where People React

Other Perspectives

Realisation of Imperfection

Over the years I've experienced eroding confidence in many areas. From relationships to jobs, gigs, interviews and all manner of online activities, including this podcast.

I share 5 things I've learned that help me better ready myself when I face these kinds of challenges.

We all carry ambitions and goals, which in the safety and comfort of our own minds and space we might believe we can accomplish. But then as we step into the real world where we may get derailed and thrown off course, is it really possible to build resilience to keep going rather than throwing in the towel and giving up? I reckon so!

A while back I had an email from my friend Emilie Wapnick asking if she could use me as an example in her forthcoming book. I was so excited to hear that she had been given the chance to share her message for those of us who have a variety of interests and creative pursuits.

And then I got a little bit terrified at the prospect of being used as an example!

"Wow, what an honour! Of course. But are you sure..? Me?"

The book is out this week in the USA on Harper Collins. I read it a couple of weeks ago as I prepared for our interview. By that point I had forgotten she was using one of my guest posts in it...

Boy, it's weird seeing your name appear on the pages of a book that you're enjoying.

When I saw it, I shrunk back, all shy and retiring. It was like if my name had just been called out in the airport terminal because I'm late for the plane (thankfully that's never happened). Or the staff in the restaurant emerged from the kitchen with a cake, all singing happy birthday.

You know, that uncomfortable, "aghh, shhhh people are looking" kind of thing.

How to Be Everything

The book is an absolute triumph. It's the perfect companion for anyone (and I know many gentle rebels subscribe to this) who feels pulled towards different interests and creative pursuits. It's chock full of examples of people doing life on their terms, mixing and matching ("smooshing" together) different interests and making it work.

Emilie has filled the book with priceless practical exercises that readers can follow in order to make sense of our own multipotentialism. To find the perfect mix of meaning, variety, and financial support in life.

In this week's podcast I have an interview with Emilie about the book and about living a life of multipotential meaning in a world that often places higher value on specialisation.

In this show you will discover:

How the book was written, and why Emilie didn't lose interest half way through!

Why multipotentialites are going to be increasingly valuable as the economy evolves and employment becomes less secure

The different models of multipotentialism and how to make sense of them for yourself

Why place, community, and the voices you immerse yourself in matter to your wellbeing

How to become self-motivated when you just can't seem to get yourself moving towards the things that truly matter

Where to buy the book...

A while back I had an email from my friend Emilie Wapnick asking if she could use me as an example in her forthcoming book. I was so excited to hear that she had been given the chance to share her message for those of us who have a variety of interests and creative pursuits.

And then I got a little bit terrified at the prospect of being used as an example!

"Wow, what an honour! Of course. But are you sure..? Me?"

The book is out this week in the USA on Harper Collins. I read it a couple of weeks ago as I prepared for our interview. By that point I had forgotten she was using one of my guest posts in it...

Boy, it's weird seeing your name appear on the pages of a book that you're enjoying.

When I saw it, I shrunk back, all shy and retiring. It was like if my name had just been called out in the airport terminal because I'm late for the plane (thankfully that's never happened). Or the staff in the restaurant emerged from the kitchen with a cake, all singing happy birthday.

You know, that uncomfortable, "aghh, shhhh people are looking" kind of thing.

How to Be Everything

The book is an absolute triumph. It's the perfect companion for anyone (and I know many gentle rebels subscribe to this) who feels pulled towards different interests and creative pursuits. It's chock full of examples of people doing life on their terms, mixing and matching ("smooshing" together) different interests and making it work.

Emilie has filled the book with priceless practical exercises that readers can follow in order to make sense of our own multipotentialism. To find the perfect mix of meaning, variety, and financial support in life.

In this week's podcast I have an interview with Emilie about the book and about living a life of multipotential meaning in a world that often places higher value on specialisation.

In this show you will discover:

How the book was written, and why Emilie didn't lose interest half way through!

Why multipotentialites are going to be increasingly valuable as the economy evolves and employment becomes less secure

The different models of multipotentialism and how to make sense of them for yourself

Why place, community, and the voices you immerse yourself in matter to your wellbeing

How to become self-motivated when you just can't seem to get yourself moving towards the things that truly matter

Where to buy the book...

It's the 200th episode of the podcast! What an achievement. It's over five years since I changed the show from music based to "ideas"-based. And what a fun five years it has been. Remember that first episode?

We've covered a lot in that time; the focus and theme has ebbed and flowed, and the most significant change happened last October when it became The Gentle Rebel Podcast. It remains (on the whole) one of the highlights of my week.

I've always been affected by me my perception of place. A room I've been in before can feel like somewhere I've never been. What drives this?

Something has always affected me in a weird way is my perception of place. A room I've been in before can feel like somewhere I've never been. Or it can feel like a completely different place. What drives this? Emotion? Energy? Stress?

If you want to know what I mean then it's worth listening to the show because I've used several examples to try explaining. From a traumatic experience of childcare at a big conference, to an abandoned fishing factory, a deserted airport and an auditorium.

I'd love to know if this is something you "get" as well. I've never shared it before because it's so hard to pin down. If I haven't managed it in this episode then I'll give up on trying to describe it.

Thanks for listening!