It’s All a Ferris Wheel
This blog was originally titled the Social Media Ferris Wheel based on a Twitter thread I made the other week. But as I was looking at it and have been thinking more about life in general, I realized it wasn’t really correct.
It’s all a Ferris Wheel.
Like, life. Work. Publishing. All of it.
I typically really like my blogs to hopefully help teach something, so I kind of hate writing this one that feels very thoughts-only. But lately, especially in publishing, I’ve heard a lot about goalposts. About how every time you finally reach one, it moves.
I used to think “oh that won’t happen to me. I’ll be happy no matter WHAT.”
But as I’ve gotten into social media, I realize how obsessive I can be with goalposts. The high of getting a certain number of likes, or followers, or people saying you’re funny or that your book sounds good is so validating. And especially in an industry full of rejections, it can be like a lifelong. Hearing that you as a person, a human, are doing something right is addicting. Most people grow up hearing about how much potential we have. Knowing, as an adult, that we might finally be using it, feels pretty damn good.
But there’s always an inevitable fall.
I think why I related this concept to social media first is because with that, you see a literal version of The Fall through declining stats, the algorithm snubbing you, and videos not performing as well. Numbers are easier to understand for me. It doesn’t necessarily make it hurt any less, but I get it. And sometimes if I do enough research, I can figure out a way to get them on the uphill climb again.
But life is different.
Not by much, in all honesty. This past month especially, I was astounded by how quickly life can go from pretty soul-sucking to walking on air. Like with social media, it’s a Ferris Wheel. Sometimes you’re at the top with amazing news or a viral video or post, and sometimes you’re at the bottom. I think the most important thing is you stay on.
Now, where do goalposts come in?
In publishing, there are specific ones. Finish a book. Get an agent. Get a book deal. I’m sure any other business also has similar marks of success. But after hitting a goalpost and feeling that high, there can also be The Fall. The realization that now you did this really awesome thing but damn, it actually didn’t solve all your problems and bring you eternal happiness. How dare it.
So how do we break this cycle?
Well, I don’t have the answers. Sorry if you came here looking for them! But I will say, I’m starting to look at life like an algorithm. Sometimes, it gives you some great ups. Others, it lets you flop. Probably laughs at you, too. But the one thing you can’t do is get off the stupid Ferris Wheel. You can’t give up or let yourself get beat down every time a new goalpost pops up. You just have to stay on because you will circle back to the top. It just takes time. Sometimes rides malfunction and need a little maintenance, you know?
And as for goalposts, I’m going to be more cognizant of the incredible things I have accomplished. You deserve success as much as anyone else and to enjoy it. Don’t let the fear of what comes next take that away from you.
You can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok for more writing things! And to stay in the loop on any news that might pop up.
