Week 46 - “If this isn’t nice, what is” - Kurt Vonnegut
As I sit here writing this week’s publication, I can’t help but wish time would fast-forward. Like many other young adults around the world, I’m in the midst of finals season. And for me, that has meant constantly hoping my exams can come faster so I can get them over with.
But for some reason, admitting that I wish the next few days would go by quicker feels wrong. I think it’s because of the fact that life is so short that hoping for any part of it to go by faster feels insane. If I only get to experience today once, why would I want it to go any faster than it already does?
The whole reason I started thinking about this idea is because of a podcast that mentioned one of the ways sociologists measure life satisfaction. Instead of giving individuals a survey asking how satisfied they are with their life, researchers periodically notified individuals throughout the day asking if they would fast-forward the experience they were currently having to get to the end of it. For example, if you were on the way to work, you’d be sent a question asking if you would choose to fast-forward to your arrival.
What they found is that those who would choose to fast-forward a large proportion of their day weren’t that satisfied with their life. This makes a lot of sense, if you choose not to experience most of what makes up your day, there’s clearly a lack of satisfaction in how you’re living.
But as I’ve tried to ask myself that same question, “Would I fast-forward this experience?”, throughout the week, I’ve unfortunately answered with a lot more yes’s than no’s.
I’m not sure if it’s just my exams that has me thinking like that, but as I look forward to an almost month-long break from school, I’m hopeful I can find a way to say no to this question as much as possible. I don’t know if it’s going to take a perspective change, practicing more gratitude, or even a complete reconsideration of why I’m doing something. But I do know that life is too short to wish for any part of it to go faster. There’s an experience in everything, and if all I have is right now, why would I want anything else?
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