A Non-Experiment
It's a Journey - Thought Snack #83
Hi :) Happy Tuesdaayyyy!!!!
In ambiguous problem spaces, I like to collect data. I like experiments. I love trying new things. Y’all know this. Nothing new here :)
The theory is that by executing a sampling of solutions in the solution space, you can more quickly devise a rough understanding for the map of the world.
When I’m in experiment mode, I'm frequently trying new approaches that look very different. I’m sure to the external world it looks “chaotic.” To me, it’s just learning :)
Anyway … running experiments can also get exhausting. In the context of active experimentation, there is always a subtext of collecting data to asses the optimality of a solution. Especially in the context of life experimentation, problems are extremely complex and so many aspects of life are intertwined.
No Experiments
All this to say, for the last bit of time, I haven’t been running very many day to day experiments. None on how to make friends, how to meet people, how to spend my free time, etc. Life has been mostly on autopilot. I haven’t been very active about anything.
Just by living and existing, I feel like I’ve fallen into some really fun activities. The last few weekends, I’ve gotten looped into last minute food hangouts with work people, a morning on the disc golf course, hanging with my coworkers and their families, watching games, going out, etc.
I am very happy in those moments, but I still find myself craving activities and social interactions in my downtime. It’s not that I necessarily want to plan to go somewhere and do something, but I want to be able to spend time and experience life with people I care about. If I could do that all day long, I’d be like Dan Campbell grinning from ear to ear after pulling out a tough win against the Vikings (yes I know, now another week late, but I wrote this 2 weekends ago).
I giggled to myself at the realization that not experimenting itself was an experiment. And it was a fruitful one at that. It has highlighted the truth that I cherish passing through life with others beside me. It's not about the specific activity - it's about sharing experiences with people I care about.
Direct Reflection
In the absence of experimentation when I started this post a few weeks ago, I took an attempt at a much more direct, analytical approach to my reflection. I asked myself “What do you love about your life?” and “What do you wish you were doing more of in your life?”
What I love:
Every day, I have a lot of fun. People at work are making life interesting. We talk about cool stuff. When I hang out with them outside of work, I learn a lot.
What I wish I did more of:
I think that I should be able to fill a day of the week with activities I like to do. When I have free time, I want to be more intentional about 1) spending it with friends and 2) not just filling it.
I think I frequently find myself in a bit of a pickle where I want to co-exist with people and do things together, but don’t necessarily like planning activities.
Maybe the real answer is finding a way to plan hangout time for spontaneous activities. To reserve time and space for our imaginations to run wild and our fancies to tickle themselves. The best memories tend to come from the unexpected.
Don't forget to smile today :)
Thejas
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