Thoughts on AI

Yesterday, as I was doing bits around the house, I found myself caught in a whirlwind of thoughts. I kept forgetting simple tasks like putting away the clean laundry or turning on the heater. And it hit me: we all know what we need to do, and we keep setting goals, but in the chaos of our busy lives, we often forget what truly fulfils us. Living in this fast-paced world, it’s easy to get swept away by responsibilities, leaving little room for reflection.

I’ve noticed a troubling narrative in many podcasts lately—that people who lack a defined purpose are unhappy, especially with the rise of AI threatening to take over our jobs. This perspective frustrates me deeply. Let’s consider a dog, for instance. Have you ever looked at a dog and thought, “I wish I could live your worry-free life”? Dogs don’t seem to have a defined purpose, yet they radiate happiness in their simple existence.

So, what if, instead of viewing AI as a threat, we saw it as an opportunity to simplify our lives? AI has the potential to handle mundane tasks—cooking, cleaning, even working on our behalf—allowing us to focus on the present. Imagine if we lived in a world where we could dance, sing, create art, or simply enjoy the company of others without the burden of daily chores.

For me, I don’t usually set long-term goals. I avoid this for two reasons: first, I fear I might forget about them and end up disappointed in myself. Second, life is unpredictable; external factors often intervene, leaving us feeling frustrated. Instead, I strive to be present, analyzing the past only when I’m in the mood and not overly planning for the future. My goal is to be aware in the moment, doing things that will benefit my future self, like getting the laundry done early to avoid unnecessary stress on a Monday morning.

While editing my website and juggling various tasks to kickstart my online business, I often felt overwhelmed. From coding and painting to writing blogs and maintaining my household, it was a juggling act that left me feeling like I was constantly dropping the ball. Even though I know that forgetting is completely normal, it still weighs on me when I feel disconnected from my purpose.

One way to stay on track with our goals and purpose is by setting reminders in our environment. In Atomic Habits, the author emphasizes the importance of cues in our surroundings to prompt us to take action. For example, you won’t remember to water a plant if it’s sitting in a corner of a room you rarely enter. But if you move that plant to a space where you spend most of your time, it will serve as a visual cue every day, reminding you to give it some attention.

I apply this principle to my life by incorporating decorative objects, artwork, or even accessories that remind me of my goals. When I look at the blue and green painting on my wall, it evokes a sense of calmness and positivity, nudging me to stay focused on my path. Similarly, every time I open my laptop, I see my to-do list waiting for me. In the past, without a dedicated notebook, I would sit there for ages trying to remember what needed to be done, but now, that list serves as a prompt, guiding me through my tasks and priorities.

Now, imagine a life where AI helps alleviate that overwhelm. Instead of stressing about deadlines and to-do lists, we could focus on our creative flow. We wouldn’t need a robot watching over us all the time; we’d simply meet with others to brainstorm, decorate, or share ideas without hidden agendas. In today’s world, it can be hard to know who genuinely cares for us and who may just want something in return. But if we were free from those responsibilities and spent our days doing what brings us joy, would there even be a need for deceit?

Additionally, AI could provide fresh perspectives on our worries and challenges. Sometimes, asking a friend for advice can be tricky—they might not want to fully support us or may be biased in their responses. An AI could offer objective insights, allowing us to navigate our emotions more effectively.

In this ideal world where AI takes on the mundane, we would have the time to create art for ourselves instead of always creating for others. Artists wouldn’t be pressured to produce work solely for sale; they would create because they enjoy it, attracting others who share their passion and mindset.

I encourage you to reflect on your life, your fears, and how easy it is to focus on the dark, negative sides of existence. Sometimes, it feels impossible for things to improve, but that’s often because we’ve conditioned ourselves to dwell in a mindset of fear and negativity rather than one of happiness, love, and prosperity.

As we embrace the potential of AI, let’s not forget to reconnect with our purpose and remember that fulfilment can be found in simple moments. Perhaps we can live more like our pets, finding joy in the present and allowing our creative spirits to flourish. Perhaps we can choose our purpose to be something along the lines of 'being happy and present in the moment' - it might seem childish but to be honest... kids are the happiest people I know.

Yes, I might sometimes feel like a lost sheep, unsure of what my life's purpose is, or frustrated because the demands of modern life make it impossible to fulfill. We're caught in a cycle of waking up early, going to work, maintaining our health, socializing—constantly pulled in different directions. It seems there's no time left to focus on the thing we came here to do.

When was the last time you sat quietly with yourself and looked inward? Silenced your mind, even for 30 seconds, to truly feel your feelings—feel the vibrations coursing through your body, noticing the air as it flows in and out with each breath. What if, instead of searching for a grand purpose, our life's purpose is simply to live, to be aware, and to cultivate happiness every single day?