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Welcome to the Human Prototype blog, a space where the past and present converge to showcase the evolution of a life in progress. Inspired by my TEDx talk, "I am a Prototype," this blog is part of a broader journey of transformation through journaling, capturing the essence of living as a perpetual prototype. Each week, during 2024, I reviewed my archives from 2016, contrasting journal scans filled with drawings against the backdrop of my current experiences.
Past Insights with Present Pursuits
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Then: Apr 18-Apr 24, 2016 & Now: Apr 15-21, 2024
After two weeks in France, returning to the office meant catching up on emails and tackling a few project issues—nothing out of the ordinary.
Yet, this week was remarkable.
I hit new records with my workouts: deadlifts, push presses, and back squats, proudly lifting 3 x 175lbs (80kg) for my deadlift! Yoga under the stars atop a Dubai rooftop and some playful handstands with Dan in the office were highlights. I dearly miss these spirited moments—our office in Dubai radiated such a friendly, fun atmosphere.
A small note on Saturday reads "CPS my life"—perhaps the seed that grew into my book "You Got This!" which encourages applying the Creative Problem Solving framework to personal development.
Reflecting on this journal page today fills me with joy and immense gratitude for the people who crossed my path and the opportunities I was given. Am I nostalgic? Perhaps slightly. Earlier today, I watched a YouTube video on Dubai's history. Would I go back? Uncertain. But what’s clear is I cannot return to the same—I am not the same person anymore. And for this transformation and these experiences, I am profoundly grateful.
As I’ve revisited my memories from 2016 over the past few months, certain patterns emerged—I restarted watching "Suits," replicated my weekly journal illustration process for this blog, and noticed the persistence of many old habits. I have also noticed a few things missing now: the office banter, the diversity of social outings, the sheer opportunities for fun. But is it fewer opportunities, less energy, or dwindling interest?
Lately, my mood has been low, and joy seems elusive. Brainstorming about ideas for fun has ended with a blank page—as if the very concept of fun and playfulness is slipping away, becoming a distant, unreachable memory. But why? What has changed from week 17 of 2016 to now, week 17 of 2024? It isn’t getting older —I feel more primed for enjoyment than ever, less concerned with others' judgments and spurred by the reality of my mortality to live fully.
Yet, fun seems scarce. What even constitutes fun? Did I truly have fun back then? Will I look back at the present times 8 years from now and consider them fun?
In my quest for fun, a dear friend offered a formula:
PLAYFULNESS + CONNECTION + FLOW = FUN
Is my journey to find these elements akin to an epic quest from an anime like Dragon Ball Z or a blockbuster film like the Fifth Element? Could the pursuit of fun actually be the fun itself?
I stepped into my Flow and created this little GIF below. Next on the journey: Playfulness and Connection…
Reflecting through this blog has been a tool not just for revisiting the past but for considering the present. Now, I’m contemplating how I can use it to intentionally shape my future…
To be continued.
Hear the journey: There's a unique intimacy in spoken words—a warmth and immediacy that text alone may not convey. In my weekly audio commentary, I share reflections both deep and light-hearted, offering a companion piece to the visual and written narrative.
Companion Links: Extend Your Journey
- I started using FLOWN, a virtual co-working space; it helps me with accountability and motivation.
- Stuck on something? Contact me via email for gentle guidance with a free Oracle Card reading.
- BONUS link: You can now create music for free with AI (WHAAAT?!?? Yes, check it here). Here is my first title: Beyond Blueprints:
Spread the Word
Found something that moved you or made you think? Share it with your circle!
Together, let's embrace the beauty of becoming, the intrigue of what was, and the promise of what is yet to come.
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