Yesterday I caught an Apathy bug. It is sort of like a flu, this all too common illness and if not watched, it may become long term or in the worst case, it may become lethal to your passion.
Thankfully it was only a 24 hour Apathy bug, but oh, it reminded me how simple it is to fall from the inspiration train and into the murky mire of “Is the work I am doing important enough to the world to continue doing it?”
My brain felt as if it was coated with a sticky malaise.
I didn’t allow myself to fuss about it, I just relaxed a little bit and focused on different things: helping a friend with organization and chores, chatting with other friends, purposefully staying away from the keyboard.
This morning when I got up, I did my usual routines with my son, Samuel. I read some Rilke as we sat at the kitchen table. I googled some quotes of one of my newest heros, Angela Merkel, the current Chancellor of Germany.
I then discovered another European Woman Political leader, former Ukrainian Prime Minister 
Yulia Tymoshenko, who is now in prison while keeping her name and image in the headlines. I don’t even know her politics but I can’t help loving her.
Once again my writing flows, proving sometimes the best medicine for what ails you is to step away and focus anywhere except “the block” or “the problem” or “my ridiculous inabilities.”
1. Leave the problem where it lives. Walk away and restrict your thought about it, especially if those thoughts are coated in negative self talk.
2. Do mundane, meaningless activities, especially if they will be of service to others.
3. If you are compelled, research another area of passion in your life.
4. Stay away from the “problem” until you are at peace with “it” and, in fact, are able to not consider it problematic anymore.
5. Remember, it isn’t “the problem” that is the problem, it is your opinion about the problem that creates the lack of movement and the sticky malaise. A philosopher from more than twenty centuries ago taught me this: a one time Greek slave named Epictetus. He was a very wise fellow whose wisdom has never let me down.
The next time you catch the Apathy Bug, don’t beat yourself up about it. Instead, follow these five simple steps and come back to your passion refreshed. Why? Because you know deep inside your work is important enough to the world to continue doing it. I am certain it is.
Photo of Yulia Tymoshenko courtesy of
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© 2012 by Julie Jordan Scott
Julie Jordan Scott has been a Life & Creativity Coach, Writer, Facilitator and Teleclass Leader since 1999. She is also an award winning Actor, Director, Artist and Mother Extraordinaire. She was twice the StoryTelling Slam champion in Bakersfield. She leads Writing Camp with JJS & soon will be traveling throughout the US to bring this unique, fun filled creative experience to the people wherever she finds the passion & the interest.
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