The City
Why a Kentucky farmhouse, a New York water tower, and a buzzing city reminded me that who you are is often the thing that gets you moving again.
I have a tattoo of a water tower on my wrist (although some people think it’s the Barstool logo…it’s not). It’s what I call my little ode to New York City. In our last apartment there, we had a rooftop patio where a giant water tower loomed over us, so it felt fitting.
Fun fact: most older NYC buildings around six stories tall have water towers because it’s one of the best ways to maintain water pressure throughout the building. I find that oddly fascinating at least.
I got a chance to go back to New York this past week for a client video shoot, and the first thing I always feel when I step into the city is the buzzing energy. I love living in a little farmhouse in Kentucky, but it’s a completely different vibe.
I walk out of my house in Kentucky, hear birds, see rolling hills, and feel peace. I walk out of the subway in New York and feel the frantic energy of people trying to build something, chase something, become something. Both have their own good and bad qualities, but it reminded me of the namesake of this blog: identergy.
Energy is what moves us. It gives us the ability to create. When I’m in the city, I immediately start thinking about possibilities. I want to get to work. It reminds me that people are out there doing things, living out their own unique (sometimes very unique) lives, and I can either join in or stay stagnant.
There’s a time and place for peace and quiet, but sometimes the hustle and bustle is exactly what you need to break out of a funk and move again.
That’s why finding your identergy matters so much. Your identity becomes a source of fuel. A reminder of why you do what you do, what makes you unique, and what you’ve already overcome and accomplished. Sometimes you need a place, a rhythm, a memory, or even a symbol that reminds you of the possibilities again.
When ideas aren’t flowing or motivation feels low, it may not be a productivity problem. You may just need to reconnect with who you are.
Over the next few weeks, I’m going to be releasing a series of videos designed to help you build that foundation for yourself. Something you can come back to when you’re feeling stuck. A way to reconnect with your own little city and refill the tank a bit.
In the meantime, just be you.