Coming Full Circle
When I first started out as a designer, I had a tendency to run with the first idea that popped into mind. My manager pushed me to explore other options. In that particular instance, after exploring and evaluating the options, my first idea turned out to be the best idea. I remember feeling frustrated that after doing all this exploration, I was back where I started. My manager wisely advised me that even though it felt like I’d run in circles, in fact I was somewhere new, the explorations strengthened the rationale for my initial idea.
I’m feeling similar today. This past year, I’ve been exploring alternative lives for myself. Everything from how I want to spend my time to where I want to live to who I want to be around. I’ve had conversations and ran experiments with the help of friends and family (thank you!). My conclusion is that the life I’m living right now is pretty damn good for me. And that each of these alternative lives would require tradeoffs that I’m not willing to make (right now).
There’s a part of that that wishes I’d come to a more dramatic conclusion. That I’d quit my job and become an NFT artist or something instead of ending up where I’d started. To that part of myself, I’d like to say: you’re not at the same place you started, even if it feels that way. This journey clarified what you want and don’t want. It’s okay to choose to be happy with where you are right now. It’s okay not to be chasing the next big life change. You’ve done your due diligence. You can trust your conclusions…and you have the explorations to back it up.