McSweeney’s List (1 January 2025)
“We're leaving hesitation in 2024,” Andrew told me by phone the other night. He was hyped, pumping me up to face the new year with my shoulders back, and my boots laced tight. Hesitation is ingrained in my overthinking brain, so it was a tough opening line. Especially considering I spent my Christmas break holed up in my fort, making plans, breaking them, hitting snooze in the middle of the day. I lacked both the get up and the go, and this was starting to sound like it would require both.
“This year is about badges,” he said.
My fidgety, dopamine craving brain perked up. Badges? Like collecting Pokemon? Like checking things off a To Do list? Like the way my brain chimes achievement unlocked when I do the most basic things? I was suddenly on board.
We were talking about our art careers and goals for the year. I suck at goals; I'm convinced that if I keep going with the flow of my passions, I'll get somewhere I like being, doing things I enjoy doing. The grand scheme and its associated chain of events escapes me. Besides, I've gone out of my way to learn that doing art is the point of art; it doesn't have to win me a prize or pay my bills, or gain recognition, the point is doing the art. There were times in my twenties where I felt so rushed, compelled by the need to make it that I spent more time writing to publishers than writing, you know, things. Had that gone differently, I'd probably be telling you that you should follow in my footsteps, but instead I recommend becoming obsessed with your craft. Do it badly, then do it better. Study the best, discuss why it's the best with people who disagree with you. Go to every little event or meetup associated with your thing, not because you’ll get your big break there (you won't), but because only other obsessed people can understand and teach you.
Art careers (or artistic lives, if that feels more appropriate), have strange milestones. There aren't really any corner offices up for grabs. Granted, a lot of those corporate milestones are hollow once achieved, but they're easy to put on a resume or drop at a cocktail party. One day an artist finally blends the perfect shade to match their lover's lips; it's a helluva badge, but it’ll fall flat when you brag about it over dinner.
One of my favorite, shiniest badges is that I wrote a novel. The most disappointing thing about said accomplishment, is that I woke up the next day, and every day since, aware that my life was not magically changed. Even in hindsight, I can't clearly articulate what I had expected, but I assumed I would at least feel different. It was a long standing goal, a motivating force in my life, and when I reached the top of that mountain, put my flag in the well tread mud, I just walked back to my life and had to decide what to make for dinner. (Funny story, my book is called The Mountains We Climb By Accident. You should read it.)
Yes, it is the kind of badge that does alright at dinner parties, but mostly with art folks. Non-art folks will immediately ooh and ahh, but they quickly start asking how many copies I've sold, how profitable such an endeavor is, and none of that is part of my badge. That's a different badge; I did not earn the Quit My Day Job badge. I did earn a Bought This Latte With My Art Money badge, and that counts for something.
With this in mind, I intend to gamify my art accomplishments in 2025, and suggest we all do the same. You can collect Applied For Gig badges, even if you don't get the gig, or Bombed, But At Least I Got Up There. Contact the places where you want to exhibit your work; every message sent is a badge, and every reply is another; it's a numbers game. If your art is a social endeavor, collect community badges; show up at the places where the people you should know are. Set aside time to participate in events and activities that fortify your connections and strengthen your community. Giving Back is always a badge worth earning, and has a beautiful way of giving you more than you gave.
Not an artist? Get badges by discovering new artists this year! Get a few Saw A Band I Never Heard Of badges, and maybe discover your new favorite music. When you're shopping for an experience or an item, hit up indie venues and makers to earn Local Gem badges. My Kiddo collects badges for Countries Visited, and we both collect Book Read badges. I think in addition to the art badges I'm looking to collect in 2025, I'll be focusing on Finally Saw That Movie badges, and Tried A New Food.
And no, these badges do not by default lead you to any grand achievement. Frankly, nothing will. But when you look back at the path you took to get wherever you end up, the trail will be paved with these badges. Each will be a step toward where you were meant to go, a symbol of the moment you did a thing, having no idea where you were headed. That's how life works, friends; a series of Nows that add up to the history of Then, and a slew of beautiful badges that make up who we become.
Happy 2025. Let's do this one up right.
finish the season right
Listen, we’ve fêted and socialized, put on our good pants and seen people we didn't want to. This week, sit your ass in your comfiest couch with your best blanket, and fuck the world. Check out these holiday movie reviews by Andrew Jamieson, and pick a guilty pleasure flick or 5. Yes, he watched some of these so we don't have to, but he downright loved some of these movies (of overall questionable quality). Watch them now so when he asks if you’ve seen them you can say yes, or he will regale you with the entire plotline with detailed synopsis on the spot. To be honest, that's how I prefer my movies, but you probably don't have him on speed dial, so you should definitely read these.
McSweeney’s List drops every Wednesday with the best events, workshops, and more, each week in Montreal!
