Week 31 - “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it and join the dance” Alan Watts
Like many other young adults around the country right now, I’ve recently returned to school, and it’s been quite a whirlwind experience so far.
Don't get me wrong; I'm thrilled to be back. However, the sheer volume of responsibilities has hit me all at once, which is somewhat jarring, given that I managed only a fraction of these tasks before returning to campus. This sudden shift has prompted me to reconsider how I navigate many of the challenges that come with significant life changes, college, and beyond
The traditional approach that even I used to live by would be to slowly add in responsibilities or tasks, advocating for “small steps”. Understandably, this breaks down a big ask into many small ones which are much easier to digest and follow through on. However, I’ve more recently started to wonder about the benefits of doing it the opposite way.
Jumping into the “deep end” is what most call it and I’d agree. Instead of slowly making your way to the point at which you can handle everything your life has for you, immediately jump to that point.
I should add a disclaimer here that this approach is very situational and the only reason I’m even talking about it comes down to purely anecdotal experiences. There are times I’ve rightfully chosen to take things slow because it’s the only way I’d be able to handle what I’m trying to build up to.
However, there are things in life many of us know we can manage, but still choose to ease our way into. For me and many others I know, career, responsibilities, and academics fit into this box. I know when I undergo all of these challenges at once, I’m subjecting myself to a large amount of stress. But I’ve always found that once I can get over the “drowning” phase, that period of time when it feels like you’re in over your head, I become a much more confident and adept person.
I can't say for certain why this approach works for me, but if I had to guess, jumping into the deep end of life hijacks my overthinking tendencies. When I'm in the thick of things without time to dwell on minor details, I shift into a mode of relentless forward momentum, where the only way forward is through what needs to be done.
The reality is that life won’t always let you ease your way into things and make sure you’re comfortable before moving on. Sometimes, there are moments when life will punch you in the face by throwing everything at you at once. Being unprepared for these moments can result in pain and stress far greater than the initial discomfort of willingly taking the plunge. So the next time you're faced with a choice between taking things slow or diving right in, consider what you stand to gain from embracing the challenge head-on and jumping in head-first.
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I absolutely agree with the reason it works. I have the same overthinking tendencies and having a lot to do at once forces a prioritization process and brings the necessary focus to get them done.