Week 3: Day 19

Week 3: Letting Go

Day 19: On the upsides of unpredictability

Summary: “Almost everything that happens, according to an adage of uncertain origin, is either a good time or a good story,” writes Burkeman. In fact, he continues, the unpredictable is usually what makes our lives interesting. Still, we humans always try to take control over our lives and the world. This, however, can backfire. The more predictable and controlled our environments are, the more meaningless our existence can feel. To live a happy and fulfilled life, we need to let go of some of our tight control and allow the unexpected to happen.

          Burkeman’s quote should come with a disclaimer: many tragedies occur every day that are neither a good time, nor a good story. Having said that, as a controlling person, I wish that unpredictability didn’t make me anxious. I like to game out scenarios and plan something which plays out at its most extreme when I travel. I just like to be prepared for all scenarios although I try to become more flexible. When something happens I should try to take the long view: things have a way of not turning out quite the way we think.