When You See Clearly
The Vision Paradox
Six days have paced away since I arrived at the festival site. A warm welcome made me feel at home. Turning a run-down industrial site into a stage room, preparing meals for over 100 people, and enjoying the festival: live performances, communal meals, DJ sets in the forest, workshops, art exhibitions, sauna, swims in the lake, and exploring the surroundings.
During that tired state of minimal sleep after a 24-hour train odyssey to get there, I wondered if I had been following my vision too closely. I believed I knew what I desired: Working on whatever whenever from wherever I want, my own place in the countryside—in a faraway country, a family. But what if I was wrong? Maybe it was time to move on.
There's a paradox in pursuing a vision. I want to close the gap between where I'm right now and where I want to be to actualize my vision. But then I end up taking actions toward an uncertain future, potentially missing valuable forks in the road.
During the festival, I've been enjoying myself so much that planning and rumination have taken a backseat. It's time to let go of that vision and simply ask: What do I want right now?