I had a hilarious but also profound moment the other night. I was sitting in my parents’ kitchen, responding to emails, stressing over 900 decisions and worries both large and small. Seated next to me: my Dad. Wise and calm. Having lived all of the years. Having seen all of the things. Having been in all of the situations. Having made all of the decisions. He patiently listened to me rattle off the things that I was worried about. And it occurred to me: OH. This is my FATHER PERSON WHO RAISED ME. Perhaps he could give me so wisdom, as fathers are often wont to do. And so, I asked the oldest of questions. Father, what should I do? He then proceeded to school me so good that at one point I said to him, I think we should talk for an hour at the end of every day and that you should guide me through all of my choices, because this would be must cheaper for me than therapy. I found myself frantically writing down everything he was saying, with a note-taking fervor I haven’t felt since undergrad. Some gems:

– There is such a thing as emotional economics. When you’re a writer / creative person, your emotions are your currency.

– And so, we should only worry about the things that are worth worrying about, or, when you sit down to do your creative work, you will find yourself emotionally spent, with no currency left to do your work.

– You must prioritize and plan out your emotions just as you do your time.

– This is a great one: Save anxiety for creative tension.

Sure, not everyone is fortunate enough to have parents that can offer this kind of perspective, but I do. I’m lucky. And so going forward, I intend to at least take more advantage of it. DAD, CALL YOU IN FIVE MINUTES TO DISCUSS ALL OF MY LIFE PLANS / WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE TERRORISTS / WHICH SHOES TO BUY! LOVE YOU THANKS BYYEEEEEEE!