Great title and I liked the NPC analogy and your tie-in to ideas about taste from your previous post, too. Throughout my adolescence I really felt like I was living on autopilot - I was ironically conscious of it. But I think finally graduating uni and then choosing to do something different from what everyone else was doing (moving to South America for a few years) helped remedy that. Something about becoming, like you said? Of course there are days or periods where it can feel like the autopilot has kicked back in, especially since I moved back to Australia and did what looks like "settling down", but I haven't felt like an NPC for a long time, thankfully.
A worthwhile read on an interesting topic! I’ve been thinking lately about how a version of “main character syndrome” might not be so bad after all — especially if it means embracing lifelong learning, speaking out when it’s difficult but necessary, and bravely facing life’s challenges. The alternative, living life in passenger mode, where your highest consideration is not rocking the boat, is significantly less inspiring.
Here's an idea. Zoom out a bit on this to see the parallels the wolf vs sheep analogy. The actors versus the contemplators.
Wolves independently think, are okay with change, and constantly evaluate and re-evaluate. They are okay to "envision alternatives, to dream beyond the confines of what is and reach toward what could be.", or "intentional change.". and to act. There might be another hill with more sheep over there...
Sheep are the "passive consumers" that live on the dopamine hit, and allow people to change them rather than the alternative. They contemplate, but only to the edge of comfort. If everyone else is okay on this hill, why would I challenge them? I don't need to move hills.
Luckily, we're getting a few more wolves in the world as evidenced by the election, with you as a prime example of a person who broke out of the "let me think for you" mold. Thanks God we're wolves.
while metaphorically true, the wolves i was referencing in this piece are simply products of their environment—and their wolflike nature is only because they are, in fact, wolves
Great title and I liked the NPC analogy and your tie-in to ideas about taste from your previous post, too. Throughout my adolescence I really felt like I was living on autopilot - I was ironically conscious of it. But I think finally graduating uni and then choosing to do something different from what everyone else was doing (moving to South America for a few years) helped remedy that. Something about becoming, like you said? Of course there are days or periods where it can feel like the autopilot has kicked back in, especially since I moved back to Australia and did what looks like "settling down", but I haven't felt like an NPC for a long time, thankfully.
your work is amazing and incredible 😭 thank you!!!!!!!!!
A worthwhile read on an interesting topic! I’ve been thinking lately about how a version of “main character syndrome” might not be so bad after all — especially if it means embracing lifelong learning, speaking out when it’s difficult but necessary, and bravely facing life’s challenges. The alternative, living life in passenger mode, where your highest consideration is not rocking the boat, is significantly less inspiring.
Here's an idea. Zoom out a bit on this to see the parallels the wolf vs sheep analogy. The actors versus the contemplators.
Wolves independently think, are okay with change, and constantly evaluate and re-evaluate. They are okay to "envision alternatives, to dream beyond the confines of what is and reach toward what could be.", or "intentional change.". and to act. There might be another hill with more sheep over there...
Sheep are the "passive consumers" that live on the dopamine hit, and allow people to change them rather than the alternative. They contemplate, but only to the edge of comfort. If everyone else is okay on this hill, why would I challenge them? I don't need to move hills.
Luckily, we're getting a few more wolves in the world as evidenced by the election, with you as a prime example of a person who broke out of the "let me think for you" mold. Thanks God we're wolves.
while metaphorically true, the wolves i was referencing in this piece are simply products of their environment—and their wolflike nature is only because they are, in fact, wolves
i've come to the conclusion that life is all about constant evolution (i think this is a given?)
glad you're on a good path—keep it up :)