Try to remember

When I build things, I try to remember:

1: Would my 6 year old self be proud of this, if he were here to see it?

He didn’t have the weight of the world, nor the complex social structures it impose on us, imposed upon him. He just wanted to make cool stuff and share it with others. Would he be proud of whatever I’m building right now, or would he be disappointed that this is what lies ahead?

2: Would Mum be proud of this, if she were here to see it?

She wasn’t influenced by any of those social structures or weights either, because the downstream effects of my actions didn’t affect her. She just wanted to know I was happy, safe, and fulfilled. Would she be proud of whatever I’m building right now, if she was still here to see it?

There are lots of other voices that matter a great deal. Voices of people alive and with me today, whom I love dearly. But that’s not what this post is about: this is about making sure I’m also being true to myself when I create.

Because I’ve lost myself before, and it’s hard to see while it’s happening.

Maybe the voices in your world are different to mine.

But find some, and confer with them in your mind, as I do with my 6 year old self and my Mum.

Even though they’re gone, it doensn’t mean they’ve left you.