I listened to a lovely talk between Oliver Burkeman and Jessica Abel last week on The Joy and Freedom of "Imperfectionism.” When I saw the title, I thought phhhht, I’m plenty imperfect, I know that freedom! But I went anyway, as you never know what will come of a good conversation.

I’m so glad I did, it was just for the soul, and it’s good for souls to have nice things. I’m actually curious to read his book now, Meditations for Mortals, Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts. Normally, I would not be drawn to any book that promises anything in four weeks. My bullshit nose would get too itchy. But in this case, having listened to him talk, I can see it as a container for doing the actual arse in chair commit to doing something for four weeks. I am also quietly pleased that previous books have much more approachable titles, like "Help! How to become slightly happier and get a bit more done."

It’s very easy to read a meditation book without doing any of the mediation (you don’t need to ask me how I know). So anyway, it was just a lovely interview, a few comics might come out of it, and this is the first of them. I just had to slip in my favorite meditation, “when washing the dishes wash the dishes,” is a bit more contemporary than “chop wood, carry water.”

Thanks to all my patrons and a special big extra thanks to Kate Webb, Erik Owomoyela, Stuart Barrow, Jesse the K, Brian Fies, Tracey Radford, and Jay Hedtke.

Liz

Alive Expression Comic Transcript

“Do stuff as an expression of the self. Do things that make you feel alive in the doing of it.” Paraphrased from Oliver Burkeman.

Little Liz, a spiky haired humanoid, looks up.

Little Liz smiles and looks down at her belly.

Little Liz: It’s true! I am alive!

When washing the dishes, wash the dishes.

Little Liz: Today, I’ll do it while standing in a bucket, because weird brings me joy.”

Little Liz scrubs a plate while standing in a bucket.

When writing a blog post, write a blog post.

Little Liz sits cross legged with her eyes closed.

Little Liz: It doesn’t have to be perfect.

Little Liz: My opinions have value.