A filmmaker's alternative to New Year's Resolutions for 2026. Learn how to move past the 'Assessor' and take committed action on your creative projects.
Spot on. This is such solid advice. I felt the last few days, like, it’s over thank God. And that freedom over the last week to breath and be present is magical and so important to me. But it does come with “New Year New Me!” “Let’s approach the projects differently and get them finished or started properly”. And it’s bullshit. It’s never worked out that way for me. And by March, I’m swamped and disappointed in myself. I like this terminology of the invasive Assessor. I wrestle with wanting perfection too. It means I get super focused obsessed and passionate, but burn out or can delay if it doesn’t feel right. This is all great inspiring stuff.
That assessor has to be kicked in the head. DO IT ANYWAY whatever "it" is for you. It will not exist without your maniacal will. Do it badly, that's liberation!
Brilliant piece Ari. My declaration is to start seriously substacking. I've had an account for a couple of years but have been terrified to take the first step and get back to writing in public. My last big declaration was to start a podcast on Asimov's Foundation, and that led to 40+ episodes so far, though ended up fizzling out after finishing the trilogy, and there's so much more to say. The declaration before that led to a rock opera. Declarations work when you decide you really mean it, and I'm not sure anything else really does.
To refine my declaration just a little, the new SeldonCrisis.net will go substantially beyond Foundation and the ideas of Asimov, but will extend it by continuing to focus on ideas about the short and long term future of humanity, including some radical new thinking on planetary level intelligence likely superseding the current primates doing the bulk of the consequential thinking on this world.
wonderful, it sounds super ambitious but as long as you remember the principle of only doing what is physically possible in a given day, then each day you get closer. Keep your eyes on your hands as you climb the mountain, eventually you will turn around and you will be at altitude. (and ps thank you for getting a paid sub!)
As one who is struggling with my current creative project (a collection of linked short stories) because I can't achieve the wry, witty, minimalist voice I've envisioned, thank you for this reminder about the Assessor.
Nicely done. Ari, and much the same for we print/text folks. My sweetie, Susan, advises students in teaching her basic poetry-writing Zoom classes not to let their inner Editor be a dictator, her equivalent to your Assessor.
Also, we've long enjoyed the writings of David Whyte and attended a couple of the presentations pre-pandemic. Although his publishing in recent years would have benefited from a more assertive Editor, the quote you included here is especially astute, Whyte at his wisest.
One secondary note, though. about those burning boats, some of our Caribbean friends might wince at the metaphor these days.
Susan and I bid you and the Gold mishpuche a wonderful start on the New Year.
Love to hear from an artist's heart. I write my poems about 3:30 a.m. when the itch can no longer be ignored. Thank you, Ari. Now I forgot the name of the little dog while I went to my email for the check-in code numbers. The little dog looks SO LIKE our Neville, Chihuahua-dachshund from P.R. I'd get a pic of Neville in here if I could. I used to think whatever I did (ACTION!!!) on New Years foretold what I'd do best the next year. This a.m. I got up early and made banana muffins, then a pumpkin pie, then an apple pie to take to daughter's family in VT. At that gathering, I relaxed, laughed; we had her good lunch that was inventive without meat, then a game of Rummikub (2), then Yankee Swap, talk for a bit, then opening more serious gifts. Then back to the table for tea and the pie desserts. I wouldn't mind if that was my upcoming year. Oh, and Marcy gave me, from a visit to a No Kings rally in New Orleans, a big poster, red letters on white: Only Everyone Can Save Us Now.
I hope for a year, 2026, that boots out the cowed Republicans because all the young voters that have their lives to live best in USA, have gone to the polls and voted for a democracy. So happy that Mamdani won in NYC. May it foretell the best of outcomes later: no Trump, no Vance. No Johnson. But survival of the rest of use, the "Everyone" who got busy and saved us.
Her name is Honey - I love that she looks like your Neville. And yes 3:30 a.m. poems are great as long as you have owls outside (or inside your mind anyway). Thanks for sharing your New Year's Day. Here's to everyone getting busy.
Let’s go Ari ✌🏼♥️YESSS !! this year… I see it… perform speak move be share —- all the facets of my story released from inside me to be witnessed - leaving space for me to listen and hold space for others to reflect their experiences 🫶🏼 benefits of exchange 🤗 thanks!!! Toni
Spot on. This is such solid advice. I felt the last few days, like, it’s over thank God. And that freedom over the last week to breath and be present is magical and so important to me. But it does come with “New Year New Me!” “Let’s approach the projects differently and get them finished or started properly”. And it’s bullshit. It’s never worked out that way for me. And by March, I’m swamped and disappointed in myself. I like this terminology of the invasive Assessor. I wrestle with wanting perfection too. It means I get super focused obsessed and passionate, but burn out or can delay if it doesn’t feel right. This is all great inspiring stuff.
That assessor has to be kicked in the head. DO IT ANYWAY whatever "it" is for you. It will not exist without your maniacal will. Do it badly, that's liberation!
Brilliant piece Ari. My declaration is to start seriously substacking. I've had an account for a couple of years but have been terrified to take the first step and get back to writing in public. My last big declaration was to start a podcast on Asimov's Foundation, and that led to 40+ episodes so far, though ended up fizzling out after finishing the trilogy, and there's so much more to say. The declaration before that led to a rock opera. Declarations work when you decide you really mean it, and I'm not sure anything else really does.
To refine my declaration just a little, the new SeldonCrisis.net will go substantially beyond Foundation and the ideas of Asimov, but will extend it by continuing to focus on ideas about the short and long term future of humanity, including some radical new thinking on planetary level intelligence likely superseding the current primates doing the bulk of the consequential thinking on this world.
Thanks for the inspiration, and stay tuned.
wonderful, it sounds super ambitious but as long as you remember the principle of only doing what is physically possible in a given day, then each day you get closer. Keep your eyes on your hands as you climb the mountain, eventually you will turn around and you will be at altitude. (and ps thank you for getting a paid sub!)
Thanks, Ari. This year, I am making a film on the life of my parents. They are extraordinary humans. - Vio
that is a fantastic thing to do!
Brilliant! Really inspiring, Ari! Something must be done!! Best to you and yours this 2026!
all must be done!
This was deeply inspiring… thank you. Needed ALL of this.
As one who is struggling with my current creative project (a collection of linked short stories) because I can't achieve the wry, witty, minimalist voice I've envisioned, thank you for this reminder about the Assessor.
that's why i do "poop drafts." the goal is not to do it well, the goal is to do it badly. and that way.... you do it. https://www.instagram.com/reels/DOzGVsyjyEe/
Awesome.
👏🏻
Nicely done. Ari, and much the same for we print/text folks. My sweetie, Susan, advises students in teaching her basic poetry-writing Zoom classes not to let their inner Editor be a dictator, her equivalent to your Assessor.
Also, we've long enjoyed the writings of David Whyte and attended a couple of the presentations pre-pandemic. Although his publishing in recent years would have benefited from a more assertive Editor, the quote you included here is especially astute, Whyte at his wisest.
One secondary note, though. about those burning boats, some of our Caribbean friends might wince at the metaphor these days.
Susan and I bid you and the Gold mishpuche a wonderful start on the New Year.
Yes I did a seminar with David Whyte. The man has a great voice... and great hair :)... and he's plugged into that thing, you can call it the Tao
My inner AI might also like Michael Meade.
Love to hear from an artist's heart. I write my poems about 3:30 a.m. when the itch can no longer be ignored. Thank you, Ari. Now I forgot the name of the little dog while I went to my email for the check-in code numbers. The little dog looks SO LIKE our Neville, Chihuahua-dachshund from P.R. I'd get a pic of Neville in here if I could. I used to think whatever I did (ACTION!!!) on New Years foretold what I'd do best the next year. This a.m. I got up early and made banana muffins, then a pumpkin pie, then an apple pie to take to daughter's family in VT. At that gathering, I relaxed, laughed; we had her good lunch that was inventive without meat, then a game of Rummikub (2), then Yankee Swap, talk for a bit, then opening more serious gifts. Then back to the table for tea and the pie desserts. I wouldn't mind if that was my upcoming year. Oh, and Marcy gave me, from a visit to a No Kings rally in New Orleans, a big poster, red letters on white: Only Everyone Can Save Us Now.
I hope for a year, 2026, that boots out the cowed Republicans because all the young voters that have their lives to live best in USA, have gone to the polls and voted for a democracy. So happy that Mamdani won in NYC. May it foretell the best of outcomes later: no Trump, no Vance. No Johnson. But survival of the rest of use, the "Everyone" who got busy and saved us.
Her name is Honey - I love that she looks like your Neville. And yes 3:30 a.m. poems are great as long as you have owls outside (or inside your mind anyway). Thanks for sharing your New Year's Day. Here's to everyone getting busy.
Happy New Year to all you love, including Honey. hugs, Lynn
Word.
(What a testament BRO V BRO is to your integrity and your process - may 2026 bring the full attention this film deserves.)
Thank you that is much appreciated. And may you lasso your dreams onto earth in 2026 as well!
Let’s go Ari ✌🏼♥️YESSS !! this year… I see it… perform speak move be share —- all the facets of my story released from inside me to be witnessed - leaving space for me to listen and hold space for others to reflect their experiences 🫶🏼 benefits of exchange 🤗 thanks!!! Toni
awesome. do a mini version of that face to face with someone if you can! 🪗
Dude that’s gold
Pun intended
You’ve just expanded an idea I had in my mind….
Brilliance
Watch this space
Thank you so much ✌🏼✌🏼✌🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 t
This piece is so kind. Happy New Year Ari. Also go Zohran - so grateful to start my 2026 with both of your sets of words.
awesome and I hope to see you soon next time I’m in Southern California!
Please visit us in our new home in Silver Lake!