Life is an Experiment: You are the Test Subject

colinhoward (61)in #psychology • 7 years ago

Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself

Mountaineer, Climb, Climbing Sport, Mountaineering

Ok, I admit I didn't come up with that phrase. But, cliche as it may be, it rings true for a reason. As humans, we have the unique capacity to envision our lives, plan for it, and actualize it through our actions.

Our thoughts become reality. We manifest our dreams through practical means.

That's pretty damn cool

Recently, I've taken a fresh approach to my life, applying what I refer to as 'the Costanza philosophy'. This is the process of doing radically different activities to create a radically different outcome, as a way to shake things up and grow beyond my current comfort zone.

The idea of treating my life as an experiment makes a great deal of sense to me. By viewing my life as an experiment, I am removing a degree of seriousness from it that often hinders my sense of freedom.
Microscope, Slide, Research, Close-Up, Test, Experiment

Often, we get caught up in our idea of who we are, which limits our mindset and restricts our ability to try new things, go new places, meet new people etc. Viewing life from a third person lens can create an increased level of freedom, as we allow ourselves the ability to do new activities in the name of this 'experiment'.

The 'researcher' fuels the 'subject'

If you aren't doing new activities, your experiment is suffering. Boredom and stagnation will soon follow. You will have no new data to input into your research. By treating life as an experiment, you are incentivized to keep things fresh, to reach beyond your perceived comfort zone, and stretch your imagination as far as it can go.

Toddler, Splashing Around, Kid, Child, Boy, Playing

Every day doesn't have to be chaotic and completely unpredictable as a result of this. You don't have to take it to the extreme degree of being totally ungrounded and without any sense of order. But you can, if that's where you want to take your experiment.

Want a new outcome? Try a new approach. Give yourself new data and experiment.

All uncredited pictures from the pixabay.com