To Don’t List 2024

Less is more. No goals just vibes. Half of the troubles of this life can be traced to saying yes too quickly and not saying no soon enough.

As Alex Dobrenko` said:

“No goals just vibes”

and as Marc Randolph said:

I feel like 2024 will be a year of doing less of the things that get in my way and allowing the good stuff to emerge naturally.

Before I leave you with my 2023 retrospective in a post tomorrow, I’m sharing my 2024 not to do list. Plus my 2024 vibe is more about stepping up the plate mentally, having fun, playing the game, enjoying my art for art’s sake and the right people will enjoy my art.

I’ve thrown in a few quotes that resonate, for perspective.

Here we go…

• Don’t sign up to art fairs or exhibits on a whim and pay £1200 for a solo show.

• Don’t over eat or compulsively eat food to feel better, to relieve stress, boredom or to celebrate.

• Don’t scroll on social media to feel better, ever again.

• Don’t compare myself to others ever.

• Don’t be cowardly.

• Don’t try and get people to like my art.

• Don’t take out my frustrations on someone else.

• Don’t waste time.

• Don’t chase pleasure, it’s endless.

• Don’t people please.

• Don’t compulsively use WhatsApp.

• Don’t check my phone as I wake up.

• Don’t complain.

• Don’t Gossip.

• Don’t chase success.

• Don’t eat too many crisps but don’t give up crisps as you enjoy them.

• Don’t be shy.

• Don’t worry be happy.

• Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff.

• Don’t lie.

• Don’t be scared.

• Don’t waste opportunity.

• Don’t get distracted.

• Don’t say yes automatically.

• Don’t be a dick.

• Don’t create art I don’t enjoy creating!

• Don’t check my phone before bed.

• Don’t neglect my health.

• Don’t try and be somewhere else.

• Don’t try and be someone else.

• Don’t worry about others opinions.

• Don’t try and make art.

• Don’t say yes out of fear.

• Don’t live vicariously.

• Don't. Don't you want me?
  You know I can't believe it when I hear that you won't see me.

• Don’t live digitally.

• Don’t live virtually.

• Don't you forget about me
  I'll be alone, dancing, you know it, baby
  Going to take you apart
  I'll put us back together at heart, baby.

• Don’t ignore your family.

• Don’t feel sorry for yourself.

• Don’t be a victim.

• Don’t get distracted.

• Don’t be a little bitch.

• Don’t cry for me Argentina.

• Don’t be ungrateful.

• Don’t forget to floss.

• Don’t randomly post on socials in the hope that magic will happen.

• Don’t die young like your brother for neglecting your health.

• Don't stop believin'
  Hold on to that feelin'
  Streetlights, people.

“It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I'm actually as proud of the things we haven't done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things.”

Steve Jobs

“The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”

Warren Buffet

As Kate McKean wisely said:

Say ‘no’ more often.

Set boundaries.

It’s your life.

I love you.

SLART