Lately, I’ve been leaning more towards working on things that have answers.

In art, you never really know if what you’re doing is good or bad. You don’t know if something is right or wrong. Everything’s based on intuition alone and depending on who you ask, some people will love what you do, and some will hate it. 

Sometimes, art just gets way too subjective and you don’t know if you’re making forward progress or back and it can send you spiraling down this rabbit hole of self-doubt, anxiety, and hopelessness.

That’s why I’ve been finding myself doing things like woodworking, carpentry, and most recently, cars like my 1994 Miata.

The 1994 Mazda Miata is not perfect. It’s got its usual bumps and bruises for being a 25-year-old car. There are tons of things to fix and maintain. However, none of it really gives me a headache because there are definite answers. My brake pads are getting a little thin so I just need to replace them with a new pair of brake pads. I know exactly where to buy them, and when they come in the mail, I know I need to use a 14 mm socket wrench to loosen the bolts on the brake caliper and swap out the old ones with the new. 

Additionally, the license plate was a little bent, so I just took it off, flattened it against a ton of heavy books, and there, a straight license plate. Problem fixed.

The windshield wipers were a little wonky. So I bought a new pair at the auto shop down the street from my house and yet again, fixed.

I know I shouldn’t expect art to be as easy as buying new parts and being able to swap things in and out so seamlessly. Part of the allure of art is the lack of answers and definite processes in the first place.

But I’ve spent 10 years making art and I’m starting to find it’s quite nice to have limitations every once in a while. It resolves the “paradox of choice,” it takes away analysis paralysis, and overall, it just helps me be a happier, healthier person.

I know I’ve always advocated for staying true to your voice and going out and living the life you want regardless of limitations. But I’m surprised myself, how a few limitations can go a long way.

If you’ve been caught in limbo, can’t tell which way is left from right, feel stagnant, and almost feel like you’ve lost your way in life, maybe look into doing things with definite answers. It doesn’t have to be a car. It could be signing up for a martial arts class, or deciding to get into plants. Whatever it is, I think it’s important to nurture ourselves as artists. And if that means taking a complete left turn and finding the joy in changing out the engine oil, (Miata’s take synthetic oil 5W-30 btw) then so be it.

Longevity plays such a large role in one's success. I think we all deserve a little pitstop every once in a while to preserve our sanity, take care of ourselves, and allow ourselves a little break from having to create the “next big thing” all the time.

by Jason Lam