Life Experiments

On November 12, 2009 I started a 6-month experiment in living. I wanted to see what would happen if I took 6 months to truly live. That simple choice to take a chance and venture into the unknown forever changed my life.

Why is the 6-months question (“What would you do if you had 6 months to live?”) so powerful?

• It’s a focusing question. It invites you to dream about that which is most important to you.
• The freedom to be you. If you really had 6 months to live, you probably wouldn’t care as much or at all about what others thought of you, be it society, your peers, colleagues, family, etc.
• No more procrastinating. One day becomes to-day.

Today the day you begin your 6-month experiment?

Experiments are often easier to take on than permanent life changes. Worst case scenario, the experiment doesn’t work out, and you go on with your life as is. Best case scenario, you gain something. Perhaps something life changing or magical happens. Either way, you’ll have more information, a new experience, and perspective. Imagine the possibilities…

How the 6-month Life Experiment Works:

1. Ask yourself, “What would I do if I had 6 months to live and absolutely went for it? What would I do? Where would I go? How would I act? Who would I spend my time with? What, if anything, would I change?”
2. Live it. Day 1 to Day 182 — see what happens. They can be big things, little things, cups of coffee, telling someone you love them, writing letters of gratitude, trips you’ve always wanted to take, moves you’ve always wanted to make. It’s your life and totally up to you!
3. Share it. Tell your friends, family, a stranger, your journal and/or me. Tell them what you’re doing and why. You’ll inspire people. Post on Facebook, leave a comment, and/or share on Twitter with the hashtag #6moexperiment

What this Life Experiment IS:

•  An opportunity to take a chance and get an extra boost towards your dreams and what is most important to you.

What this Life Experiment is NOT:

• An excuse to be reckless with your life.*

My hope is that everyone who reads this is completely healthy. I started this experiment because it’s easy to go on auto pilot, as we go through our lives. I didn’t want to wake up one day and ask myself, “Where did my life go?”

Photo by Allison Gergley

This experiment is a twist on the 6-month question. It’s an opportunity to live for the present while planning on the future. I plan on having a long life, and my wish for each and everyone reading is that you will have many, many years to be true to who you are and live accordingly.  

Life is waiting. Will you join me?

*Learn more about why I started this journey in my first blog post and in the About section. Also, please read the disclaimer in the legal section.