I am not really sure how I came up with the idea of answering all 50 of these question but it did make it onto my bucket list. Last year I have answered the first batch of these questions. High time to chip away and answer the next batch.
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
Ahhh. Let’s start diving in right with a tough one today. I’ve had to re-read this question multiple times to really understand what the question was.
I think my work day would like something like this: waking up to a slow morning with a hot coffee that smells delicious, reading some wonderful book that is easy to follow but tickles my mind. Followed by roaming the outdoors for a bit just to come back with chilled cheeks and a big smile on my face. I would then settle at my desk and do something creative – crafting, drawing, writing or taking some photos. Followed by much more reading. If I would get payed for that… awesome.
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
Honest talk. I have somewhat settled for what I am doing. Before I became a freelancer in 2017 I have had some rough years questioning everything in my life, my decisions, my path. Did I choose the wrong career path, why is happiness so far what is it all for… It was especially hard because I was good in my job, it was 8mostly) easy to me what I did for a living. Did it fulfill me every day? Not really. Was I missing something? Yes.
I started taking many courses to see if I could envision myself in a different career and if I would be willing to start a new. I realized those careers paths were put on a pedestal and I didn’t really had so much passion for them. Not enough to start a new.
In the end I decided it would be better for me to stay in my career path and be a bit more picky on what kind of projects and jobs I will be doing. Hence becoming a freelancer. That also gave me more flexibility and time in doing other things that I liked. Reading and learning through books, time to take courses if I felt I needed some more creativity in life or just plain simple time with myself to recharge. Making that change I am moving toward doing more of what I believe in. And I at peace with it.
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
Well, first off I would already be dead. Would I have had a good life? I think I would. A great childhood, a loving family, few but good friendships and the love of my life with a few meaningful romances before. So I am honestly not sure I would have changed that much.
I might have liked to spend some more time with my grandparents and getting to know them better as an adult. I should have listened more carefully at one or the other occasion. I wished I didn’t loose my love for sports along the way of getting into adult life and busy work schedules.
Other than that I really do not have any regrets. That said let’s assume I have another 40 years to live. How would I want that to look like…
I think one major change that would – and needs – to happen is taken better care of my body. I have said it a million times on this blog and even more so to myself that I really need to start taking this serious. It felt like it wasn’t a priority in the past years heck decade but it is moving more and more to the top. No strategy here yet but awareness is the first step, right.
Other than that I would like to keep meaningful relationships with the husband, my family and friends and this does take work and effort.
Luckily it doesn’t seem like I really need to make major changes. What a magical realization.
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
Mhm, this is the question of fate or no fate, right? Do we have the chance to craft our own life or is predestined.
I do believe we have the option to craft our life. To a certain point. Depending of what is available to me I have a better chance of making bigger steps or changes. Not everyone is as privileged to make big leaps. However I do believe if a person really wants to do something it is possible and within reach. It is a matter of priority. If it is not a priority one will not take control.
As for how much have I been controlling the course of my life. I think to the degree that it makes me happy. I have had my share of heartache. But at a certain point enough was enough I was stepping out of my comfort zone, shedding the passive behavior and went into action mode. It may have looked to outsiders like a rash reaction at times but deep down I knew it needed to be just that to get some momentum.
I also believe that there are phases in your life. Some years are for being comfortable and enjoying life. Maybe even get a bit lulled. Other years are highly disruptive and overwhelming and hurtful but those are a catalyst for changes. The question is will you take that chance and make the changes.
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
Uhhh tough one. I think the answer is it depends.
I get caught up in doing things right when it comes down to smaller more unimportant things I would say. I can’t really come up with an example right now. Because I immediately have a counter example to a situation where I didn’t try doing the thing right but did the right thing.
So maybe I am more leaning toward doing the right thing?! I am known for ignoring authorities (like bosses) and speaking up if something is not right. That has caused me my jobs and sometimes my mental health but I could live with myself knowing I have not been a coward ( in my own eyes).
But then there are som many situations where I am so passive that I am not sure I could label that as doing the right thing. So I really am at a loss on how to answer this question to be honest.
So much for today. I can not find a sufficient end to these thoughts. But I leave you with a question: Is there one of these questions you could easily answer in one sentences? Is there an answer you would disagree? Or maybe absolutely agree to?
This post is the second of the series to answer all 50 questions. A thing on my 100 things in 1000 days bucket list.
21 comments
Wow. These are very tough, deep questions. I admire your honesty in answering them. The settling question is one I struggle with, too, a lot. And I also find myself focused on doing things right when I should probably be more focused on doing the right things. Being a human is hard.
Thank you. It was tough to answer and I am not sure I will publish all answers. I dont like hearing you are struggling with the settling question but it is good to know that we are not alone in that struggle.
If I could get paid to read, what a wonderful life that would be. But only if I could choose what I get to read. But I supposed I’d probably have to do something in addition to the reading (writing a review, editing, or something) and that would be less fun, wouldn’t it?
I totally agree. I wouldn’t want to write book reviews for a loving. Often enough it is just for entertainment and it makes me feel good without. directing why a book works.
OMG, same!!!!
Those are some deep, interesting questions and I admire you for trying to answer them (because I don’t know if I easily could). The question about having control of the course of your life is interesting… I’ve pondered that one A LOT ever since I moved to the US and especially in recent years.
Of course I made the decision to move here, but sometimes I also feel like it’s just what happened to me. I never fully moved with the intention to “emigrate” and never go back home… but here I am, 20 years later. Not unhappy at the slightest, but also always questioning what I am missing out on back home, you know? Not making a decision also is a decision.
Not making a decision is also making a decision. Wow that domes it up doesn’t it.
Yes, sometimes it feels like you are going along in life and just ride the current not really thinking where it will take you. Good thing when you are happy along the way.
I loved this as much as I already did last year. Tough questions and hard to answer in a sentence. I think the day you describe that would make you rich I could get on board on.
That just flowed out easily so I guess I am dreaming that one up. I would take you along.
Wow, these are some great questions. my answer to #6 would be very similar to yours. For #8, first of all I too would already be dead. But I think if, when I was younger, I knew I was only going to live for 40 years, I might have been more reckless about my health. I mean, you can do and eat pretty much anything and get to the age of 40. Knowing (well, hoping) that we’ll live to 80 or 90 definitely changes things. I agree that I take my health much more seriously now.
I can’t wait for the next batch of questions!
I like your way of thinking for #8 ice cream for breakfast and cake for dinner. I am on board.
These are very thought provoking questions. I appreciate your honesty. I, too, hope you start taking your health seriously. I’m not sure what that will entail for you – but it is a good goal to have.
I think that I’d answer the last question very similar to you. I have to speak my mind. I don’t like to sit back and pretend everything is fine if it isn’t. – so I focus more on doing the right things. If people don’t like it, then they don’t have to. I have to be able to live with myself.
Thank you Ernie. It’s not always easy to do the right thing it most likely will not make you many friends but at least we can live with ourselves
Thought provoking for sure. I like what you said about the next 40 years. Instead of thinking back at the past with regret, it is looking forward with hope.
Oh thank you Julie, I had not seen it that way but you are right. I am looking to the future and I don’t really regret anything even though I had tough phases.
ooooooh these questions are great and a really good happiness check in. I wonder if there are a few core questions you could reflect on annually to make sure things are still moving in the direction you desire?
That is a good idea. I do an annual check in but some of these questions are a good addition. Maybe not even annually but every three years or so
I remember answering these questions years and years ago. It’s interesting to go back and read my answers. I was still a college student when I answered them! I know my answers have changed a lot in the ensuing years. Maybe a project for 2024!
I bet it is really interesting looking back at your answers years later.
Would indeed be a fun project for 2024 specially when you put both answers next to each other.
These are really thought provoking questions and I enjoyed reading your answers.
Being paid to read sounds like a dream come true :)
Right? That would be amazing but I wouldn’t want to write about it on a regular basis… so maybe not?!