You don't need to be everywhere all the time.

You just need to be in a handful of the right spaces,

and know when and where to make an appearance.

Often in arts culture and communities,

where so much is going on,

you feel obligated to attend every event.

And while I'm not saying you shouldn't do this,

how much of it actually benefits you?

What is the point if the outcome is burnout,

when you could've targeted select events,

where you'd be at your full capacity?

This is a common dilemma for most creatives

who are trying to make a name for themselves,

and have little to no support or hand outs to begin with.

I've also fallen into this routine, Reader,

and it's especially difficult if these event appearances

are in support of friends and colleagues.

While I do not fully endorse individualism,

sometimes thinking about how attending affects you,

is more important than how it will benefit others.

As an artist,

it's important to protect your energy,

because it fuels your creation process,

and if it's constantly deflated,

you won't be able to make anything new,

or at least make things to the best of your ability,

and that is a dangerous loop for any creative to be stuck in.

So try to be judicious in how you operate.

You can think of it like this:

Is the event bringing me closer to where I want to be?

Or is it hindering more than helping?

Will my attendance help me grow?

Or make me stay the same?

Is it draining my energy?

Or replenishing it?

Creative Update

Preparation for Poetry for Justice and TEDx Wolverhampton continues,

and so I haven't had much time outside of this to focus on other projects.

I'm currently rehearsing my sets for each event,

and devising how I will operate on the night.

If you are interested in supporting me,

do have a look at the Catch Me Next section below,

and grab yourself a ticket to Poetry for Justice on Sat 4th July.

*all ticket sales will be donated to charity

Upcoming Opportunties

Mural Submissions for Poetry for Justice are still open.

We're asking artists/poets of all ages and stages for original poems on themes of justice, faith, resilience, and freedom in the form of creative designs to be displayed at our next event.

DEADLINE: 30TH JUNE

TYWI New Leadership Role

TYWI (The Young Writers Initiative) are 'recruiting dedicated visionaries who want to continue advancing a mission of communal support in the writing community [...] currently prioritiz[ing] three segments of TYWI: our chapters program, beta reading service, and summer camp.'

The Dreams Challenge on Young Poets Network

Today, we’re asking you to draw inspiration from your subconscious and write poems that conjure the impossible and the surreal.

This challenge is for writers aged up to 25 based anywhere in the world.

DEADLINE: 16TH AUGUST

Catch Me Next

Tickets are now live for Poetry for Justice.

Until next time,

stay well,

and stay blessed,

Bilal Psyche Akram