thats a really interesting way of looking at it
i understand
G'day ~bartender, just a cactus juice from the film *Rango* for me. Oh, you've actually got one of those? Brilliant. I was only half joking, but I've always been curious what they taste like.
Figured I'd explain the name, *eatallyourdarlings*. Maybe some of you can relate to the sentiment behind it.
If you're a creative type you've probably heard the sentiment 'kill all your darlings' or one of its many regurgitations or (mis)interpretations... Over my teenage years, before I'd even shared any real creative works publicly, my self-worth was pinned on this understanding:
'your most personal, unfiltered works will never find an audience'
Now, when nasty notions like that crop up in my brain, I often picture David Bowie chain-smoking on David Letterman, insisting to *never play to the gallery*.
To *eat* your darlings rather than to *kill* them is to understand that in this age of algorithms your work could be consumed at the speed of scrolling. So if you don't eat your own work - break it down, digest all its good bits, use it as compost for your next thing - someone will, and it'll go to waste.
eatallyourdarlings was what I named my art account when I started it, with a determination to post whatever I've made, every week. Then I got addicted to engagement again, burnt out and haven't posted on there in months. I almost regret choosing it as my name on here because I feel like a hypocrite preaching to the choir. Now I'm on the smolnet, the fediverse, and trying to get all my creative friends into more intimate, slower, sustainable online communities.
Cheers to those trying to navigate these careless times with integrity.
Burnt out is something we all face. It will pass with time I am sure. Taking breaks is okay and natural. Hope you can get back to posting soon!