What's New, What's Next
April 24, 2025
In public I'm often asked "so, what's new?" My answer truthfully and concisely: "nothing."
A part of it is, there are things I won't share, those things are private. Mainly, however, it is because nothing is new. My thought is, "why does anything have to be new or why is that the question?"
It is an endless pursuit of chasing new that I believe most people have. And in that pursuit, they think happiness and fulfillment will be found, but if that were true, new would not be a drug they chase. It doesn't come because our gaze is focused on what is new instead of what is already here.
For me no news is good news. An empty calendar is a successful day, an ideal day actually, for me, an empty calendar signals l've done what I want to do and not sign myself up for obligations others have asked me to be part of. It means I have enough self-discipline to say "no" and focus on my life. Reading, writing, thinking, spending time with my kids, my family.
The founder of a business sells it off for billions. A professional athlete just won their championship in their sport. You get the job or promotion you've wanted. You lost 50 pounds. You married an amazing person. You saved up to buy your first home. The question that follows, "so what’s next?" I believe In the same vain of "what's new," comes this question, "whats next?"
Why does anything have to be next? As if what you've done is meaningless. "This can lead to a form of poverty where one is never happy," says Ryan Holiday.
Enough if never enough to the person who thinkg enough is too little, writes Seneca, and its true.
What's new? What's next.... nothing. Just answer nothing the way I do. People who know me know what that means. Those who don't, probably think my life is boring and dull and I love that they think that. Because the truth is, my life if lovely and I built it up this way.