- What would your ideal day look like?
- If you didn't have to work for money, what would you do?
- If you had 9 months to live, how would you spend that time?
- What do you want your eulogy to say?
What would your ideal day look like?
In the weekends I sometimes get my idea day - a gentle awakening. A slow breakfast at home with the cats, pottering in the garden or basement getting things "tidy" or "sorted" for the coming day/week/season. A social lunch with a few friends, then a mountain bike ride somewhere interesting or new - the objective not being my fitness or training but rather exploring or socialising.
If you didn't have to work for money, what would you do?
I'd probably end up volunteering for things based on the need of others - up to a point, whatever was most needed at any one time. Even now, if I have a free day and am aware that help is needed I'm pretty quick to put my hand up - usually at mountain bike events but also tree plantings and trail building. If I had no financial constraints I'd end up doing a lot more of this, and probably take a bit more responsibility (which usually I avoid). It is important to me, however, that these activities involve people. I have very little motivation to do these things without being part of a team or community.
I don't imagine this would be enough on its own. In which case I'd probably sign up for courses or lessons, whichever took my fancy at the time - languages, history, permaculture, programming all have their appeal. I'm not sure that I'd want to be completely immersed in any one thing to the exception of all others.
If you had 9 months to live how would you spend that time?
First up, I'd spend a decent chunk of time with my parents, siblings and older more distant relatives. I find as a single person living alone it can be a tremendously lonely experience with a feeling of disconnection or not being anchored. I think I'd die happier if those connections were stronger.
Then, a bunch of travel, at a slow pace. Meeting random people as I go and opening myself up for adventures that crop up. I believe this would make me feel like I'd truly lived.
What would you want your eulogy to say?
I'd hope that people would think that I was a good person, who could be relied on for support when needed. That they valued me in their life.
Answering questions like this makes me aware - no where in this is "work". I don't crave sitting at a computer; in fact most of my preferences are outdoors. People also feature heavily - activities arent satisfying unless they involve people. As an introvert I need to manage this better as though I find being with people tiring they also are part of life meaning for me. There's also a liking for novelty and new things. I wouldn't necessarily say I like new all the time - I have a great liking for a daily routine and a weekly rhythm, but also a desire for learning things and new experiences.
I don't want to wait til I'm 65 for this.
I don't have to. I've had my priorities not well aligned with my actions for so many years that its taking some time to reorient. Its time to sort things out.
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