Something Needs to Happen
Posted by Anne
“Nothing happens, and nothing happens, and then everything happens.”
In 2004, a very good friend sent me a card with the quote above printed in yellow letters on its burgundy front. We were 24, and our lives had been routines, schedules, and coursework for the previous several years. Nothing happens and nothing happens. We were ready for an adventure—so we jumped on a plane together, and traveled for 6 blissful weeks oversees—the epitome of 20-something adventure. And all of a sudden, we made life much more exciting.
And then everything happens. I adore this quote. It reminds me that life can change on a dime, throwing adventure and excitement into an otherwise static existence. I need to believe this, because lately I feel as though I’m trapped in the nothing happens and nothing happens phase of life. When people ask me how I’m doing these days, I always respond the same, with a touch of disappointment in my voice: “Status quo.” In other words, nothing happens.
But I wonder—what’s so wrong with status quo? Isn’t this what I’ve wanted for so long? Well yes…but only if I’m satisfied with all the elements of my life that remain the same. And right now, I’m a little antsy. Not unhappy. Antsy. There are some pieces to my life that I want to see develop in new directions—personal things, professional things, creative things.
I was talking to my sister yesterday, taking her on an intimate tour of the inner-workings of my existentially tangled brain, and she said, “I can’t believe you feel like nothing is going on. A lot is going on. You’re so close.” And she’s right. I feel at the cusp of something. I just don’t know what.
And it struck me. Things rarely “just happen”. I make them happen. When I was 24, I made that trip happen. I have some—though not all—control over the moment when everything happens. But where do I start? I can…
-Talk to people who understand my vision.
-Get feedback from others.
-Dare to join a new organization, take a new class, or meet a new person.
-Reach out.
-Tell people what I want.
Yes, ultimately, it’s my job to make sure everything happens. To start unraveling my tangled aspirations, and put them into action.
Have you ever felt like your life was “status quo”? Is that a good thing or a bad thing to you? How have you changed an otherwise static period of your life?
August 11th, 2010 at 7:48 am
From “Anne B”–I had to re-publish this post today due to technical difficulties! Here’s what Anne B had to say:
I love excitement and change. I have colleagues who have worked at the same university for 20, 30 and even 40 years. I just can’t imagine it. But right now I’m also trying hard to enjoy the status quo.
It has been rewarding in its own way. In fact, I think you can re-frame it as a new challenge in itself if you have never sat with an unchanging life for very long. I’m certainly no champ at it, I think the longest I’ve stayed in one place personally/professionally since high school was 2.5 years.
August 11th, 2010 at 7:48 am
And from Kitchen Witch…
Sludging through here, deep in the status quo* Question: why, when the status quo is so unsatisfying, does it seem easier to just stay put rather than break new ground? It’s maddening.
August 11th, 2010 at 7:59 am
I should have thought to quote this card when we talked the other night. This is exactly what’s going on right now.
I am also in a place of status quo right now, but by choice. If I’m still in this place five years from now I might go mad. But right now it suits me. But as you say, nothing will happen and then everything will happen.