I like the framing of a quest because it gives effort a direction without requiring us to pretend we have discovered some singular, preordained purpose.
A good one creates uncertainty, resistance, and movement; in the process, it can reveal capacities that comfort rarely ever does.
I’m increasingly interested in what happens when one quest ends, though. We can get very good at pursuing what is measurable and difficult, then mistake the ability to complete quests for knowing what deserves our devotion next.
I think part of a well-lived life is learning to recognize when an old one has finished and allowing the next one to emerge from a different part of us.
One I am trying out is squash. I haven't played since I learned in high school in the early 90s. It goes for about 5 months..and is a box league...If I drop to the bottom box and never make it out....at least I played a bunch of squash games and met new people.
“Listen to an album straight through with no distractions.” In a quest list. This one stuck with me, as this used to be a daily routine for me. But I had a cd player, amplifier, speakers, and a listening chair, and I had to chose the album, and put the cd in the tray, and all other little acts that, maybe, made the experience carry inertia.
I can listen to an album from my phone on earbuds, but there’s little inertia. The quality - qualia? - of the experience is different.
Donating blood made the list!! That one can end up helping someone in an operating room, and it takes about an hour. Which quest are you picking first, Brad??
#10. I used to walk or hike or bike with a podcast and now most of the time I let my mind wander. I even left my airpods at home and really enjoyed a workout with no music or podcast (I almost drove all the way home, glad I didn't!)
The half-dead, half-alive trance is the part I can relate with. For six years I ran at about 60 to 70% of capacity every Monday, hungover, and called it a normal week. Back then I wasn't doing anything on the list above on a Monday, or really any day for that matter. Those things were put on the back burner.
Since I retired from alcohol I have my evenings and weekends back, and that's when things like this actually get done. Picking up old hobbies as well. Simple things like bowling:)
I love the idea of a side quest. It gets us off the screens because we often the phones just take the times we haven’t filled with side quests. Bonus points for quests with calming activities allowing our minds to pause.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day that you forget to sprinkle a little adventure in your routine. Schedule it in. It doesn’t have to require overhauling your entire life. Personally, I strive to do 1 new thing every month: an art, a skill, a recipe, a book, a sport, an exhibition, a movie… everything goes as long as it’s a new experience, sometimes alone, other times with others.
Sleepwalking through a week is easier than I'd like to admit. I've found picking one small hard thing and finishing it does more for a slump than waiting to feel ready. A handwritten note or a long walk without the phone still tend to work better for me than any big plan. Thank you for this, brother.
Brilliant 👏 I love how it is a goal set for October. Even though I don't feel as if I'm in a slump right now, I still feel your suggestion list is very inspiring. It may even help me add some life experiences into my future writing ✍️ 😊
Hi Brad,
I like the framing of a quest because it gives effort a direction without requiring us to pretend we have discovered some singular, preordained purpose.
A good one creates uncertainty, resistance, and movement; in the process, it can reveal capacities that comfort rarely ever does.
I’m increasingly interested in what happens when one quest ends, though. We can get very good at pursuing what is measurable and difficult, then mistake the ability to complete quests for knowing what deserves our devotion next.
I think part of a well-lived life is learning to recognize when an old one has finished and allowing the next one to emerge from a different part of us.
One I am trying out is squash. I haven't played since I learned in high school in the early 90s. It goes for about 5 months..and is a box league...If I drop to the bottom box and never make it out....at least I played a bunch of squash games and met new people.
“Listen to an album straight through with no distractions.” In a quest list. This one stuck with me, as this used to be a daily routine for me. But I had a cd player, amplifier, speakers, and a listening chair, and I had to chose the album, and put the cd in the tray, and all other little acts that, maybe, made the experience carry inertia.
I can listen to an album from my phone on earbuds, but there’s little inertia. The quality - qualia? - of the experience is different.
Indeed, “In trying to eliminate all friction and discomfort from our lives, we’ve made our lives [more] boring. But this need not be the case.”
Donating blood made the list!! That one can end up helping someone in an operating room, and it takes about an hour. Which quest are you picking first, Brad??
I love the list and the idea that a side quest doesn't have to be a ten day trek across the country. Thanks for the challenge.
I love this! I love side quests they make life more fun and interesting
#10. I used to walk or hike or bike with a podcast and now most of the time I let my mind wander. I even left my airpods at home and really enjoyed a workout with no music or podcast (I almost drove all the way home, glad I didn't!)
The half-dead, half-alive trance is the part I can relate with. For six years I ran at about 60 to 70% of capacity every Monday, hungover, and called it a normal week. Back then I wasn't doing anything on the list above on a Monday, or really any day for that matter. Those things were put on the back burner.
Since I retired from alcohol I have my evenings and weekends back, and that's when things like this actually get done. Picking up old hobbies as well. Simple things like bowling:)
I love the idea of a side quest. It gets us off the screens because we often the phones just take the times we haven’t filled with side quests. Bonus points for quests with calming activities allowing our minds to pause.
Very good ideas. We have become boring in our digitally centered world, and forgotten the simple pleasures like you suggested.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day that you forget to sprinkle a little adventure in your routine. Schedule it in. It doesn’t have to require overhauling your entire life. Personally, I strive to do 1 new thing every month: an art, a skill, a recipe, a book, a sport, an exhibition, a movie… everything goes as long as it’s a new experience, sometimes alone, other times with others.
Totally agree, having direction is so valuable and I think can massively combat the mental health pandemic
Sleepwalking through a week is easier than I'd like to admit. I've found picking one small hard thing and finishing it does more for a slump than waiting to feel ready. A handwritten note or a long walk without the phone still tend to work better for me than any big plan. Thank you for this, brother.
Brilliant 👏 I love how it is a goal set for October. Even though I don't feel as if I'm in a slump right now, I still feel your suggestion list is very inspiring. It may even help me add some life experiences into my future writing ✍️ 😊
Yep, love this. I wrote about needing side quests recently.
Hope you don't mind me sharing (please delete if you do).
https://jambupaliv.substack.com/p/why-every-dad-needs-a-side-quest
We are aware, it defeats gotti and online drug lords in the beaver pd