No. 9 of 100 · Purpose
How do I figure out what I want in life?
Many people reach adulthood having pursued what was expected, and then realise they don't know what they want. It can feel like everyone else got instructions you didn't.
The Oracle's verdict
You won't find what you want by thinking harder. Wants are discovered through experience and attention, not reasoning. The clues are already in your life: what you lose track of time doing, what you envy in others, what you'd keep doing unpaid.
Envy is unusually useful here. It points to something you want but haven't allowed yourself to want. Treat it as information, not shame.
Your version of this question is different. Ask the Oracle.
Consult the OracleYou don't need one big answer. You need the next experiment. Try small things often, and keep what gives you energy.
The path
- Today
- Write down three people you envy and exactly what you envy about them.
- This week
- Try one thing connected to the strongest of those envies.
- This month
- Run four small experiments, one per week, and record which left you with more energy.
The Socratic path
If you'd rather find your own answer, sit with these:
- "What did you love before anyone told you what you should love?"
- "What do you want that you're embarrassed to admit?"
- "If you knew you couldn't fail, what would you try first?"