“don’t make a clean sweep, don’t wipe all your pieces off the board…. surprise yourself, and keep the game going, instead of turning your back on it. you can always start again once it’s finished. for the time being, ask yourself what move is possible - even if it’s only a tiny one - in order to enjoy the game and make it interesting.”
ollivier pourriol, the french art of not trying too hard
When I read, I’m a total note-taker. I write down quotes, words I like, sentences that flow in a pretty way, and phrases that I find thought provoking. While re-reading some of those notes, I came across this one: ask yourself what move is possible. If you can’t change the game you’re playing and you can’t start over with a whole new game, consider what other moves might be possible to enjoy the same game a little bit more.
So lately that’s what I find myself doing. I’m asking myself, what move is possible? After more than a year of applying and interviewing, I haven’t had success in finding a new job. So how can I be okay with staying where I am for a bit? Is there some kind of side-hustle that I can take on to feel more inspired and fulfilled professionally? Is there anything that I can do at work to make the days feel more tolerable?
We’ve been looking at houses for a few years now, with one rejected offer and virtually none available in our price range. How can I make my current living situation more enjoyable? The lack of a washer and dryer for laundry is a real pain point for me; is there something I can do to make laundry day a nicer experience?
Amidst the frustration of things not working out, I’m trying to look for the small changes I can make to make the game - life - more interesting or enjoyable.