Self Edit

Making edits to anything I write can be difficult, and sometimes, it's effortless. I may start wanting to say one thing, but I realize midway through that I'm off track. Sometimes I'll get to the end of what I'd like to write, re-read it a day later, and remove entire sections of words to get to a less diluted idea of what I'm trying to say. I find myself deleting a lot. I erase superfluous words and ideas that tangle up my intent. Once I've whittled down my content, occasionally, I'll add a bit more.

My life's been a lot like that. For the most part, my values have remained intact, but I've been gradually editing my beliefs about the world around me. Some ideas I used to carry are no longer helpful, and I've carefully dropped them. Let me give you an example. There have been times when I believed I was supposed to be peaceful and hospitable, no matter the cost. I've edited that belief. I can be gracious but also have boundaries.

Editing my writing and my life has also been a team effort. My wife reads almost everything I post; her input has always helped me identify what I don't need anymore. Good, healthy relationships will also help you edit elements of your life where positive change is required.

Are there things in this world that can no longer be edited? Yes, they're called artifacts, and they belong in museums. You, my friend, do not belong in a museum. You are not finished. Thank you for reading, and may you find opportunities to edit and improve.

-Jordan

P.S. This post was inspired by a section in the early chapters of “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear. I think you should buy his book!