The Origin of Slacker Stuff
If I had everything you had, I would be you. I wouldn’t be me being a better you
I’ve managed to keep this up for one month! I’m thrilled to have you here. If you’re new, make sure you check out some of my recent work too:
If everyone’s super, no one will be
Wistia: Don’t forget the people
One constant I’ve found while writing this has been that, no matter what happens, every week I end up having something I want to write about. It’s kind of the whole point of the “exercise” that is Slacker Stuff.
The etymology of Slacker Stuff comes from the tried and failed brand names I’ve adopted over the years.
Some favorites include: JaminVlogs, WhiteBreadBoi, BennyHillmanTV, Not Funny or Creative…
I’ve been obsessed with labeling the thing that I enjoy doing, sometimes even letting that get in the way of doing the “thing” itself (making YouTube videos). I think this comes from my obsession with systems: I want to figure out a repeatable process to create things and I want that process to have a name.
JaminVlogs was a system in which I made 100 videos in 100 days (and then for 265 days after to make it a full year).
Not Funny or Creative was a system in which I made recurring series with my friends in college and adopted this moniker so I wouldn’t feel too self important.
Slacker Stuff is a similar sort of humility, but it is in more ways a challenge to myself. I sort of see being a “slacker” as the default mode that my body wants to exist in.
I love nothing more than having a Slug Day, where I just sit on the couch and binge whatever show or YouTube series has my attention. These Slug Days are all-consuming in that I don’t worry about what I’m eating or drinking, I don’t worry about obligations or appointments, I just focus on the slug.
Slug Stuff isn’t a bad name either if you think about it, but I gravitated towards calling my current system Slacker Stuff for a different reason.
Back to the Future is inarguably the greatest movie of all time. There’s a reason they still study the script in film school, because it’s impeccable. Marty McFly, the main character, is labeled by his principal, Mr. Strickland, as a “Slacker” whenever the two meet throughout all three movies. To Mr. Strickland, Marty meets this definition: a person who avoids work or effort. Marty is constantly late for class, accrues unexcused absences, and I can only assume his grades are not up to snuff.
Because this movie was heavily featured in my personal rotation, my whole family was subjected to it (sorry, not sorry). We would quote the film amongst other classics like Galaxy Quest, School of Rock, or one of the other greatest films of all time: Buckaroo Bonzai.
My dad fixated on Mr. Strickland’s “Slacker” insult, but he absolutely didn’t use it in an insulting way. Whenever I would get a good or decent grade in school (let’s say an A- or a B+), he would jokingly call me a Slacker.
As I’ve pointed out, I can fit the traditional definition of a Slacker when I have those Slug Days. However, I take ownership of the term as more of a challenge for myself. The work I do under the umbrella of Slacker Stuff is antithetical to the name.
I feel incredible when I get in the groove writing, I feel incredible when I get in the groove making YouTube videos, I feel incredible when I get in the groove doing slacker stuff.
It’s easy for me to get lost in the labeling of the systems (hence all the failed brand names), but it’s also easy for me to get lost wondering what I should be working on. I worry about what will perform the best or if I’m speaking to the right audience.
I worry that I’m not focused on the right things and that by spending my time writing for this publication, am I wasting time that I could spend on things that will be more lucrative?
I guess I end up calming the worry by reminding myself that all that really matters is if I’m working on that “stuff” where I feel in the groove. If I’m focused on Slacker Stuff, in its myriad of formats, then I’m focused on the right stuff.
I’ve had various attempts at formats and mediums. There’s no guarantee that the publication you’re reading right now will be the thing I do forever or even that it’s the thing I’ll be doing next week. There’s definitely a chance this is the last issue I write (I doubt it, but it’s possible).
I’m going to leave you with a quote that struck me, and I feel like it’s set me on a good path. Josh Johnson was on the Colin and Samir podcast and said the following.
“Everyone is the same in that, if I, essentially, was given everything that you have and I had your background, I had your genetic makeup, and I just had your life, I would be you. I wouldn’t be me being a better you.”
If I had everything you had, I would be you. But I don’t, and I’m not. That’s what makes me me, grooves, slug days, and all, and that’s what makes Slacker Stuff mine.
I’m glad you’re here. I’ll see ya next time.