I’m actually in the midst of a major transition period kind of thing, and that’s why I haven’t been posting recently. But anyway, I had some insights last night, which I feel are pretty helpful, and so it hereby culminates into this post. I call it the philosophy of A.I.R.
In recent days, I’ve found myself having quite a bit of free time, defined as time where I get to choose what I do. However, here arises the question: how do I decide what to do during this free time? Now for some people, this is a super straightforward thing because they have hobbies that they define their entire persons around. However, what about the rest? For example, the people without much stuff to do who hence end up ‘burning’ their time without really enjoying it all that much anyway – for them, going through the motions while feeling a bit empty inside is the norm.
This desire to use my time in a way that I’d approve of better has actually been plaguing me since way back, but I could never really find a way to break down the situation in a constructive manner. So in an ideal world where people are not forced to have no free time at all, like the proletariats/factory workers of communism, I think I’ve found a passable framework for how to allocate your free time.
Basically, there are three categories, aspire, improve and relax. Ideally, people should allocate some time for activities in each category. Additionally, it is surely possible for these to overlap.
Aspire. This is basically about the ideals that you seek. Take for example entrepreneurs who pour really all their free time into developing their companies. Someone who has a regular job painstakingly writing a book in their free time. It needn’t be a working towards your dreams kind of thing, actually. Because honestly speaking, not all people have those! It needn’t be grand. It can be simple, nothing to boast about, desiring it for your own sake.
For instance, let’s talk about people who want to find love on dating apps. Now that would be the person aspiring towards the ideal of acquiring a partner and gaining happiness with them. It ain’t an ambition that’s all boastworthy but it sure means a real lot to someone and from the standpoint of the individual could be far more conducive for the good life anyway. Now how about another example, one that does apply to me I guess.
Writing this blog post in my free time falls under aspire for me. I haven’t got any grand goals or anything for it, and whether or not this content reaches many people or not is really dou demo ii (goes both ways, I’m fine with it) for me. And yet I do it anyway. Why is that so? Well, for one, this helps me to log my philosophy down, all these insights that are generated from me. Plus writing is enjoyable too. I think that when you are actively ‘flourishing’ the dao of an activity, brushing it in your own broad strokes, that is where you actively, respectfully manifest your comprehension towards it as an ideal.
Basically, this particular domain for you is like a canvas, with you none other than the painter. But anyway, aspire is like when that activity you’re doing is something you don’t mind doing at all as you’ve decided that’s what makes you you.
Next, improve. This is really quite self-explanatory. There are some areas in which you are lacking and you would like to be better in these areas. Thus, there is only one way forward, which is to be involved in these activities frequently enough to progress in them. It’s basically a self-awareness of now plus a visualisation of that ideal version of yourself (for that specific parameter).
A common goal for many people is that they would like to become more fit. However, they are often unable to stick to their short lived routines which eventually fade away without so much as a whimper. Their free time is eventually used for something else instead. Really, why does this happen? I believe it’s because said person has yet to mindfully categorise said activity under their improve list, with the relax list next to it as well.
Here’s how my thought process works. I want to improve in Japanese tbh. I’m even reading a Japanese novel. Still, when I have some free time, my go-to instinct is still to do something fun rather than an activity that isn’t so easy for me – not yet, at least. Thus, I end up doing something else instead and maybe if there’s a bit of time when everything’s over, I’ll read my Japanese novel then. Thus, ultimately, I waste my time! Time-burn plus minimal improve! Assuming that you are just barely competent in stuff you want to improve in, it’s not going to feel all that enjoyable for you to do ’em. That decreases your motivation further and decreases your chances of actually committing to it!
Here’s how my thought process should work. I have an improve list and a relax list. I knowingly work on the items on my improve list. When I’m done with all of them, that’s when I can put in rather extended amounts of time for stuff on my relax list. And one important thing to make sure then is that that item on my relax list really is on my relax list. It can’t be time-burning and numbing; I must enjoy it!
Actually, I don’t know how true this is, but I have the impression that many people only have a relax list. Oftentimes, this relax list will have something to do with watching shows. Personally, I feel the presence of a vicious cycle. I don’t feel like watching shows since I feel like I’m wasting my time. I feel like I could be making better use of it!! Then again, I am stumped on alternative ways to spend this time. Really, this categorisation method here provides a solution. Compose a good list for ‘improve’ that you are satisfied with, and make sure you do it regularly. That way, you will feel a sense of fulfilment and!!! you will actually improve. Relaxing will feel less like an escape to you and more like a reward.
Then it is also important to note a big difference between aspiration and relaxation. Aspiration involves the creation of routines because of values. For example, you return home to have dinner with your family every night because you value your family. Now, this may seem like relaxation as first glance because eating is a relaxing activity. However, it’s greater. Relaxation is more like the free time that you have remaining after everything that you have already knowingly committed yourself to. It’s up to you what you want to do with that time. Routines, though? They are decisions you commit to for the long term as are in line with your values and dreams (Note: This doesn’t include stuff like plate-cleaning; chores =/= free time). In other words, they define you.
We aspire towards ideals, doing things for their own sake wherein the process is more important than the results. Even if we aren’t rewarded or recognised for it in the end, alright then. So be it.
We seek to improve, achieving an ideal version of ourselves in more aspects. We might not be very great at them right now, so it doesn’t feel very rewarding and fulfilling, but we know we’ll get there, if we’ll only keep at it.
We have to relax because what’s the point of living if we don’t have fun? Granted, we can have fun in the other two categories as well. However the first is uncertain while the fulfilment of the second exists far off into the future. I hate to use this phrase, but let’s grudgingly call it ‘instant gratification’. You, reward yourself!
And that’s the end of my A.I.R philosophy. Definitely gonna make some lists. K bye!