The Pit and Pod is the fortnightly blog of the Archaeology Podcast Network full of updates, news and opinion. Written by co-founder Tristan Boyle and special guest writers.
My motivation is a liminal space. I find it warps and bends time, on some days I can frantically piece together long sentences that on review can be made coherent. On other days I pick at my social media, like the remnants of meat on the bone, bored with the choice before me. I am keen to do so many things that I get lost in the flashes of dopamine as I rush to complete them all.
Alas, it instead becomes a race to the bottom, as one deadline looms and passes, another one quickly follows and soon I spiral into struggling to keep up the most basic of things. Calendars that were planned easily at the start now become heavy shapes, I am fearful of moving them, of placing them in case they need to go, requiring again more energy.
However on the good days where I can feel some direction and space in my world, I breathe a sigh of relief, it does not always have to be difficult. I sometimes wonder if I am alone in such frantic thoughts or if maybe there could be a name for this but then again the happiness and freedom I feel when I can communicate and write again is beyond words.
Of particular note during a worldwide crisis, it seems that many people have found themselves at loose ends or in the headspace where they feel they should be doing more. I do sometimes feel the same way but I realise that this expectation is not healthy nor beneficial. In fact, such drive can be counterproductive. In some ways the guilt I build up when not doing something seems to stop me when I actually do try, as it feels forced and of poor quality.
So how am I to be regular in my output, how do I find my flow? I must say that the most empowered I feel is when I get the chance to speak to people who are passionate about their work or their research. You could say I am guided by the great work that other people do and just a simple conversation can be the fuel I need to keep going.
That’s why I will always do my best to respond to tweets, emails and the like, even if it takes me some time, because maybe someone is needing a little motivation. And since not everyone is in a position to be able to regularly contact or work with, be in touch with, discuss, or collaborate with those people that can help inspire and motivate them, let me be that for you. And in turn, you will help motivate me.
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