Don’t Curate Life - Live it!

There is a part of our brain that wants us to try to foresee and plan and do everything in our power to prevent problems and harm in the future. This part of our brain can help us think through our retirement and make sure that we are planning and saving for it so that it doesn’t take us by surprise. This part of our brain can help us establish habits that bolster our health and longevity with the greatest amount of bodily freedom and strength. This part guides us to think through all the variables when we want to make a major move in our career, our relationships, or our location. This part organizes the necessary steps to take to get where we want.

Many parts of life require planning and foresight as best we can perceive. However, we all know the truth that the future is unknown and that all things are possible. This is one of the aspects of our existence that allows for all of our hopes and dreams, Paradoxically, it is also where all of our greatest fears live. This is the realm of possibility, and our brains mostly hate it.

Sometimes does it feel like you are living multiple lives? On one hand, you are managing the real responsibilities and duties of your actual life - doing your job, paying attention to those you love, taking care of your health, and hopefully finding time to engage in meaningful hobbies and pastimes. But, along with this full life, you are also in your head planning for the potential terrible outcomes if things go sideways in any of these realms of life. 

When we find ourselves spending too much time in the future (or the past, for that matter), it can rob us of actually enjoying the life that we have created for ourselves. The reality that we all find ways to ignore is: 

Life is inherently a bit dangerous and is definitely random and chaotic. 

We crave stability and predictability because we think that gives us guarantees, but it is a true pipe dream.

Do you know people (and maybe you envy these people) who seem to just go after things that they want? The ones who ‘throw caution to the wind’ and pursue unique things without a care in the world? I would put forth the idea that these are folks that don’t spend a lot of time thinking about all the ‘what ifs.’ They just decide that they are going to pursue their goals and dreams and do what it takes to try to achieve them. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they are foolhardy or impulsive. We can all plan and take calculated risks (or not), but the point is  that these people - and you -  TAKE RISKS!

Life is not really enjoyed in the predictable and secure. Life is lived as we challenge ourselves and get out of our comfort zone. Not all the time (that can be exhausting) but once in a while. A way to foster this type of risk taking is to start on the daily - or at least weekly - doing something new. That’s it. Just something you haven’t done before. Whether that’s trying a new food, or maybe taking a new route home, or even trying a new hobby, sport, or activity. Try and meet new people or learn about something new. Our minds crave predictability, but they also get complacent and bored. Then our enjoyment wanes. Don’t be fooled thinking that lack of anxiety is the same as happiness. It is not! Don't just curate your life - live it.

If you are having a hard time even thinking up something new that you might be interested in, go back to early elementary years and remember the topics you were fascinated by. Another good place to mine for interests is the last time you were proud of something you created from scratch. Creativity is the easiest way to keep life interesting and to nourish our true selves. 

We aren’t meant to predict and know what is coming in life. That would make life so awful. We are meant to live it one day at a time. Spend more time today doing things you enjoy with people you love and let the future take care of itself. If something comes your way, you will figure it out at that time, not now.