JETS JOURNAL
Issue #061 · 24th December, 2024

Hi All!

Here is your weekly round up of what I’m pondering and exploring. Feel free to forward along to a friend if you think they might enjoy.

The Importance of Mystery

Last week I visited the René Magritte art exhibition at The Art Gallery of NSW (I will attach one of his works below) During my visit I stumbled upon a quote from the artist I really liked.

“Mystery is what is absolutely necessary for reality to exist”

The quote above really struck a chord for me because it is so true. If we knew everything about life and how our own lives will pan out—we immediately lose all the magic. With Christmas tomorrow, I wan’t you to imagine how much joy would’ve been sucked from those magical mornings if none of the presents under the tree were wrapped?

Can you imagine how much less exciting it would’ve been?

That’s because, it’s the mystery, it’s the possibility and it’s the unknown that makes living so exciting, yet so scary at the same time. Accepting the unknown for me has been one of my toughest journeys but as I grow older, I’m learning to sit with uncertainty. I’m learning to be comfortable in not knowing what’s next, because that’s exactly where the magic happens.

An Update on My Book

You may have noticed I stoped posting updates on my book for the time being on Instagram and TikTok. This is because I noticed my focus shifting away from the book towards all the content that needs to be made to promote it. This was taking away from the editing process so I’ve put that on hold until at least I finish the second draft, which will be done in the next week or so. Putting content on hold has really allowed me to focus on the bigger picture of what I’m trying to create. I was getting really burnt having to perform on social media and overly share. So my new focus right now has been to just live life first and then reflect upon that later on in my art. That’s also the reason why I’ve loved writing so much is because it’s so different to vlogging and allows you to be present in whatever moment your in and then go back and reflect on that in a journal entry, essay or even short story. This has been a powerful way for me to learn to live first not for the camera but simply for me. Also, next once the second draft is complete I’ll share the title of the book along with the book cover to all my readers sometime in the new year, so keep an eye out for that!

Slowing Down

One of the things I’ve been trying to work on lately is simply slowing down. This is because I’ve always rushed through everything. I’m always rushing from one place to the next, or thinking about the next project I want to create. This is why I’ve enjoyed working on my novel because for the first time I’ve had to slow down and commit to one thing for an extended period of time. Slowing down for me is hard. It feels like your being left behind—but if anything, I’ve realised that rushing is leaving behind everything else behind. There’s so many things to see, people to meet and tiny details to appreciate in each and every day we get. I often get stuck wishing I wasn’t in this part of the story. Which is why I’ve made it my mission to be thankful for the different seasons of life. So, if your any bit like me and are always rushing to the next destination (yes that can also be a metaphorical destination) please take this time these holidays to have some grace with yourself and take in this very moment your in right now.

I’m using a dumb phone, again.

I’m in no way anti-tech Luddite, but I do believe in balance and moderation, hence why I've started using a dumb phone again. Now, using one of these things will certainly make it harder to go about your every day life, but that’s the point. With a dumb phone theres, no maps, no internet, no AI assistants and most of all no short form content.

Whenever I’m out by myself and I decide to opt for my dumb phone instead of my iPhone, I’m forced to confront the uncomfortable experience of sitting there with nothing to distract or numb myself with when I’m in public.

One thing this has forced me to do is talk to more strangers. If I need help, or want to ask a question, I’ll simply reach out to another human being on the street. Human connection, how awkward right? I know, especially in 2024 when it’s become so common for everyone to silo themselves into the safety net of their phones and block out the real world.

Bear in mind, I’m aware of the irony, hearing this from someone who is so pro-tech and digitally native. However, I do believe in trying to become mindful of our consumption habits and think their a massive benefits to unplugging every now and again.

It’s not like I’m going to give up using my smartphone, social media and listening to music in public forever, but I do think having some awareness around moderation can help turn us into more well rounded people.

Wholesome Granny

If you’ve got a spare minute check out this granny just living.

documentaryforever

View more on Instagram

Feel free to give me feedback on Twitter. What did you like? What do you want more of? What do you want less of? Other suggestions? Please let me know. Just send a tweet to @JETLRWILLIAMS and put #JETSJOURNAL at the end so I can find it.
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Hope everyone enjoys their week!
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Love
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JET (@jetlrwilliams)

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