AYTL Experiment

Jen Knox
May 28, 2024
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This is a year-long experiment that can be started at any time. The idea is to treat this year (starting now) as though it were our last. To imbue each week with the appreciation, awe, and curiosity we often forget. Each week will include a writing prompt and an invitation to reflect on this experiment.

This AYTL experiment was inspired primarily by Stephen Levine’s A Year to Live and Advice on Dying: And Living a Better Life by the Dalai Lama XIV and The Artist’s Way.

What you’ll need:

  • a journal

  • a few minutes each week to reflect

  • a few minutes each day to intentionally remember - I can help you if you subscribe

Start anytime.

On moving forward: week 1 of 52

Jen Knox
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May 23
On moving forward: week 1 of 52

“My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand.” Thich Nhat Hanh

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On positive potatoes & Week 2 of 52

Jen Knox
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May 30
On positive potatoes & Week 2 of 52

“Many people lose the small joys in the hope for the big happiness.” —Pearl S. Buck I’ve taken a few ego blows this week, which I won’t unpack here. But I will say that ego blows can be good for the soul. They can

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On Boredom & Week 3 of 52

Jen Knox
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Jun 5
On Boredom & Week 3 of 52

“Don’t just stand there, do something.” —Me to my husband whenever we’re about to have company “Don’t just do something, stand there.” —Very privileged people and The White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland I watched my ego, and it seemed to dissolve. Then it came back to demand I pay attention to it, which I did, and it dissolved. The past week has been inte…

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On Hide & Seek - Week 4 of 52

Jen Knox
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Jun 12
On Hide & Seek - Week 4 of 52

“Children see magic because they look for it.” – Christopher Moore As a kid, I was always fascinated by the melancholy nature of most adults. Other kids seemed just fine, but the adults I met seemed so intense and restrained; it was as though stories were swirling around inside them, pulsing in the tight cont…

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On writing your letter & week 5 of 52

Jen Knox
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Jun 20
On writing your letter & week 5 of 52

This is my letter to the World That never wrote to Me— Emily Dickinson What would you write about or share if there was no fear? What would you write even if there’s no guarantee anyone will write back? The topics that we feel strongly about are often the projects we put off. Maybe because most humans will do anything to avoid negative …

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On mining the messy feelings in creative ways

Jen Knox
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Jun 27
On mining the messy feelings in creative ways

“Ever since happiness heard your name, it has been running through the streets trying to find you” -Hafiz It’s Week 6! Are you with me? When I think about this year-long experiment, I think about how not to waste time and, instead, embody each moment. I think about taking all my messy feelings and putting them to work.

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