The Classic Article Between Articles!
Recap: 1 Min Max #1
Welcome to the Birth of Clarity newsletter on Substack.
On September 10, 2024, I started a little publication called 1 Min Max, featuring articles aimed at those who enjoy reading short posts on Substack.
Rather than releasing them via Substack Notes, I thought I’d create a separate website to house my eclectic mix of poems, observations and ramblings.
1MM has proved a great way to creatively share my random thoughts without wasting time on social media. It has provided a chance for spontaneity and succinctness.
I have always wanted to push myself to write in different styles. To be creative and try new things. To improve and adapt. I think I’ve done this with Season 1 of 1 Min Max.
Season 1 featured 22 articles ranging from posts on porn, phone use to politics. I enjoyed writing each one and those who read them seemed to enjoy them!
Season 2 will likely be released over Christmas and New Year. However, before that, I thought I’d share some highlights from Season 1.
Today’s recap article serves as a buffer between my last - one of my top 10 most-read - and my next, tentatively titled; “Resident of a Town Called Self-Loathing.”
Here are 1MM’s top 5 posts from Season 1 (according to the vanity metrics), plus my personal favourite:
Number 5 - Just a look
Over and over again.
“Why?” John thought.
He closed the laptop in disgust.
Another hour of his life. Wasted.
“Why do I keep doing this?”
He walked to the bathroom.
Tissues in the toilet. Flush. Look in the mirror.
The same repetitive routine.
Over and over again.
“When will it end?” John said to his reflection.
The rage was building.
“Why didn’t I just go for a run instead?” Back in his head again - the place where he did most of his damage.
The same mistakes. “I keep making the same mistakes.”
All from the look a woman gave him at the shop.
That was all it took.
That’s how deep his addiction ran.
Delete apps. Delete browsers.
Destroy laptop?
“I’d probably just buy a new one,” he thought.
Just like last time.
Number 4 - Busy, busy, busy
So much to do. Brain swimming with thoughts. Drowning in ideas. Things to do.
“I’m sure there was a list. Ah, I’ve got a list to follow the list. On the handy list sheet.”
Must clean the house. Start a business. Learn a language. Get a job. Read a book.
“Remember the school trip.”
Fix the sink. Write your book. Must exercise today. Have you fed the algorithm?
“He needs an extra snack, another pair of shorts, suncream, a hat and extra socks.”
Must fucking meditate. See friends for coffee? Cancel. Swim in the sea? Tomorrow.
Book? Too busy. Clean the house? Have to look for jobs first. Apply for a job? But I need to learn a language! I’ll read later.
“He has his rucksack. Is he missing anything?”
Business? I must get a job first. Have you never heard of a side hustle?! GET WITH THE PROGRAM.
Fuck the algorithm. Too busy to exercise. Man, I’m tired. Stressed. I’VE DONE SO MUCH TODAY.
“Shit, the school trip was yesterday.”
Number 3 - Loving interactions conquer all
Much like exercise is stimulation for the body, deep discussions awaken the mind.
Meaningful conversations stir thoughts and emotions, sparking ideas and creating positive energy.
Isolated with a cluttered mind, man can go crazy. Genuine connections provide relief from the insanity of the modern world.
A world where many men have become addicted to meaningless distractions. Lost and helplessly confused. Thankfully, loving interactions conquer all.
When the heart is injected into a meeting of the minds, digital nonsense loses every time to interactions with loving intent.
Number 2 - Sunset over the ocean
The beauty of a sunset hitting the glistening water. The white horses leap and sparkle as they meet the golden sand, turning into frothy foam guarding the top of a cold beer.
The spectacle of the sun setting over the ocean. Never expecting your gaze but rather demanding it. It knows its magnificence. Never begging for attention but always drawing it. The sound. Fun. Inviting.
The ocean swallows the fireball, replacing it with the glow of the moon. Another captivating sight. Enchanting. Bright light seduces you with its glory as it skips across the waves. White horses leaping no more. Replaced by ripples replicating popping popcorn. Bubbles bursting with playful exuberance. The sound. Calm. Peaceful.
Number 1 - We never
We never saw the dolphins leap, the screens blocked our view.
We never saw our son’s first steps, the screens blocked our view.
We never saw the man’s amazing feat, the screens blocked our view.
We never saw her huge biceps, the screens blocked our view.
We will never escape these mobile screens, whatever shall we do?
Personal favourite - Pure black liquid
The syringe withdrew from the temporal lobe.
The barrel was full with a pure black liquid.
“This can’t be right,” the Dr thought.
He made a quick cut to the forearm, surprising the patient.
It was totally unethical, but he had to test something.
More liquid oozed out - not pure black, but not red.
“Ouch!” the patient screamed.
The doctor had never seen this before.
“I told you, the darkness is consuming me again.” The patient looked scared but relieved to be right.
“How long have you felt this way?” the doc asked nervously, yet with genuine curiosity.
“Years,” the patient answered.
“Every time I think I’ve found a cure, IT returns.”
“It runs red for a while. My blood.”
“But never for long,” the patient added.
“The darkness always comes back.”
The doctor tested the patient’s upper thigh with another syringe. This time the barrel turned red. Not blood red but definitely not black.
The doctor looked puzzled, then suddenly scrabbled for something on his desk.
A pen and paper.
He scribbled a little note and handed it to the patient.
E S C A P E
Y O U R
H E A D
Let me know what you think :) Comments or feedback are welcome.
Thank you for reading: “The Classic Article Between Articles!”
Here are some other articles where I’ve tried my hand at creative writing:
Check out the last post: “I Had to Go Back to AA.”
Before you go, please 🧡 and restack this post on the Substack app.
Take care,
Roscoe | Birth of Clarity
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