It's a fun coast: Work is good, I'm puttering around with my writing, I've had a few fun (but hapless) crushes... But coasting doesn't really put me on track for anything. Maybe that's okay. But, maybe I want to be on track for something? And if I do, hadn't I better get on it now? I'll be 33 in June, after all.
The hardest part for me is visualizing what my "good life" will be. In Greek philosophy there's a notion of superlative happiness called Eudaimonia. It's steady and wise happiness (as opposed to the hectic, elated kind). I just don't know what I should add to build and support that feeling in the long run.
I know I don't want some things that most other people do (e.g. babies, marriage). And I know the following things are important to me: Independence, nature, health, work, love, friendship, creativity, sense of place and art. But I'm struggling to articulate concrete steps for such abstract things. E.g. Am I happy feeling creative daily, in a more holistic way, or do I need to produce something singular and significant?
What, if anything, is missing for you? What's your good life? Are you living it?
All photos from beautiful Mirjan's Photostream and I was led there by Summer of Design is Mine
First up, love the first photo. LOVE.
ReplyDeleteI think I know what you mean. I think I have been coasting somewhat as well and I don't have goals of marriage, kids, white picket fence, take over the world etc either.
I do want to be happy and I think I am usually an optimistic person. I'm not the sort of person who can be unhappy at work so job satisfaction and respect for my 'elders' (so to speak) are vital.
And so I've been coasting along. Happy and at ease with work and personal stuff.
Lately I've questioned that. Here, in a foreign country, by the grace of a sponsored-visa, this life doesn't feel permanent. There is an undercurrent of 'am I going to stay or go'. I have to remedy that so I can return to coasting. I think I equate coasting to being satisfied and happy (with no set shape or formula).
What a beautiful post, I love the way you express yourself. I also have a problem deciding if I am happy being creative daily, or if I should devote myself whole heartedly into a creative endeavor. In the end...I take a very Spanish inspiration to my life: LIVE, LOVE and EAT, and do what you love, and everything else will fall into place. Hmm, I realize you didn't ask for advice, so it isn't advice...but I am just feeling that way :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Alice! I really enjoy coasting too - I guess it's one of the upsides of being independent and unmarried and not having to articulate goals for another person.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm just wary of coasting so much I miss doing something of substance that I might want.
And I completely get the location thing. There's an arbitrariness to living away from home. And even more so when visas and immigration are up in the air.
But I hope you'll stay in Chicago!! It makes me happy knowing you're there!
Thanks for this post. I relate to it in so many ways. Around 29 or 30 I started feeling really content but I lost my ambition as well. I am almost too comfortable. I need to keep things challenging but find I just don't care as much about big accomplishments and grand ideas as I did in my 20's.
ReplyDeleteLovely post. Coasting used to terrify me, and I'm trying to train myself to live with it. I mean, I like to have goals, but I also like the feeling of being happy in the space and time that I'm occupying, rather than always looking forward to the future. I guess I sometimes worry about coasting vs. stagnating. I just never want to get bored with myself, you know? But I'm also on the fence about things like babies, and that takes a lot of the timeline pressure off, which is nice.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chelsea, Lori and Michelle! I love your responses! Strangely, I'm always nervous when I post these more reflective posts. But then the reactions I get are so reassuring and supportive that I wonder why I would ever be nervous!
ReplyDeleteHi...I'm new here. I just wondered over. Beautiful post. I think coasting should be enjoyed because it doesn't usually last very long. A hill or a dip can shuffle the ride along a different path all to quickly. Finding joy right where you are is a gift. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Lalena! Hope to see more of you :)
ReplyDeleteAt 42, yes... for the most part, I'm living the good life.
ReplyDeleteNow if only someone would pay me to continue...