from therapy couch to tool pouch

on making real change in the world

Working as a therapist I always took longer than I ‘should’ have with clients.

I want to know that my work has an impact. I want to see results.

Call me superficial, call me insecure, just don’t call me Shirley.

Shirley, I’m joking.

Actually I’m neither Shirley, sure, nor Joe Kerr nor Joe King.

They’re all fools.

Playing the fool has always been wonderful.

Comedy is clear. Comedy is clean.

They laugh or they don’t.

There’s no inbetween when it comes to telling a joke.

But the therapeutic arts?

They’re kinda messy.

I can never really tell what impact I have if any at all.

(don’t worry - if you’re one of the people that I’ve been meeting with over the years, I always have time and space for you. I value y’all, the folks I’ve met with long term)

I just don’t have the heart to go and sell talking with people services.

And selling laughter?

With all of the distractions these days, it’s difficult to justify that as anything more than a hobby. I don’t think the world needs anymore men, women or ‘they’s’ of any colour, creed or sexuality shouting from telephone screens.

It’s a lotta noise that I want no part of.

I subscribe to newsletters on the creator economy - The Tilt and Creator Science are two of the best out there. If you want to try your hand in the creator world, please check them out. You won’t be disappointed.

I love the work of Chris Gilibeau -especially his neurodiversity project. That dude is killing it.

And?

I’ve come to terms with the fact that I really don’t want’ want to travel, speak or conduct workshops.

I don’t have much to offer as much as I thought I did as a creative.

But most of all?

Finding a way to make money through engaging in this process really saps the joy of creating for me.

(no, i’m not cancelling this newsletter or stopping. i’m too ocd to let that happen)

I’m making my next pivot in my wild and crazy ADHD career.

I want to serve others. Not food though. No. I’ve done enough restaurant work.

Something great has happened within the chaos of the last few weeks. I remembered how much I like painting a wall, fixing a toilet and replacing a floating floor.

I love hanging out at the trades stores, speaking with the warehouse workers and shoveling gravel.

I love the satisfaction that comes from wrestling with a problem, attempting to solve it then basking in the victory of ‘finished work’.

A therapists work is never ‘complete’.

But a painted wall?

That’s easier to leave behind at the end of the day.

Now,

I know that this stuff seems unglamorous.

It’s not nearly as romantic as ‘back woods adventure tourism’.

But handyman work is simple. Necessary. Real

What’s more, after years of doing it ‘for free’, I’m ready to go pro.

This simplification feels like a great relief. Building a handyman business is a lot more stratight forward than writing a book or marketing bike trips into the wilderness.

Insead of always wondering how I’m going to grow my business, I’ll offer simple, in demand services that people need.

How quaint.

And instead of hustling?

I can focus on my kids.

They need me more than anyone does.

And being a parent is the most important job anyone can enjoy.

That seems like the right answer for someone who’s been chasing a bunch of wrong answers fro a long time.

I’m giving up on being a creative.

Instead, I’m focusing on honest work - snaking out toilets and pressure washing garages and the like. It’s not pretty.

Neither am I. I’ve shown a lot of my ‘ugly side’ here.

I have some points of view that are very unfashionable these days - especially with the therapy and artist crowds.

That’s ok.

Because if you don’t find me handsome,

You’ll at least find me handy.