Everything In Between

I keep trying to remember this but for some reason it seems like it never sticks in my head: getting out often is a huge boost to my productivity. There are other benefits too, like more stable moods and an overall happier baseline, but the easily measureable thing is just how much more stuff I’ve been doing.

Case in point, these past two weeks have gone by in a blink of an eye. Yet, despite this, I can remember so much more about them so much more vividly than any of the years I spent depressed. Depression creates a black hole in my life where all my memories of the time I spent depressed get swallowed up, mangled beyond recognition. There are so many large chunks (years) of my life that I just can’t remember much about except the fact that I was depressed during them.

In contrast, I can recall dozens of moments from the past two weeks. Moreover, I can recall their timeline so I can actually string one event after another, which is a really big deal for me. I guess that only happens when you’ve been having a good time, doing the things you want to be doing.

For me, it’s an incredible feeling to be able to maintain that level of activity for a significant period of time (like these two weeks) when I’m so used to such insane ups and downs that wreack havoc on my life. Memories matter; I want to make them good ones.

Last week, I saw a movie and met the MetroMac leadership, the Meetup staff, went juggling in the park, and so much more. Last night I went out to Games Club and learned how to play Clans (a simple board game). I spoke with at least four people at length (relatively shallow topics, but still, they were strangers before tonight) and had a great time.

Yesterday, I attended Philosophy Forum (yet another Columbia University club). I met another four people there and debated over whether or not knowledge is instrinsically valuable. (I think the issue is ultimately subjective, but my answer is yes, it is.) Afterwards, I went out to Subway for dinner with Melinda and Hannah and then met Sara. (That night really deserves its own post, but not right now.)

Earlier tonight, I had intended to finish my shakedown cruise of NYCwireless’s web site, something I’d been meaning to get to for about a week now. Tonight I finally buckled down and spent the final four hours I needed to work on it to get it done. And, man, does it feel good to have accomplished something that I wasn’t really looking forward to. (I don’t know how that one works—that’s a totally new experience for me.)

The bottom line is that getting myself out and about has made me happier. I can’t think of a better reason than that to do this. Just let it last.