A few years ago, I remember reading an essay about a personality dichotomy that the author called Explorer/Exploiter.
The idea is that most people fall into one of these two categories (though of course humans are complex, and it’s never just that simple).
An Explorer is someone who tries new things to see if they like them. Trying new things makes them feel excited and good.
An Exploiter is someone who finds the thing they like, then sticks with it.
You might see this, for example, with restaurants. I often find myself going back to my old standbys, rather than trying new places, because I know what’s good at the places I already like.
But I’m trying, lately, to get out and try new things. There’s nothing wrong with having favorites! But I don’t want to miss something else that I might like even more, too.
A similar concept came up in a Carolyn Hax column at some point: a person wrote in and referred to “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” And I take STRONG issue with that framing. In my mind, if you don’t stop growing, you’re a cancer.
There’s nothing wrong with healthy growth. But growth does not need to be constant and unending, either. It’s okay to have dormant periods. It’s okay to just do things you like, because you’re good at them. (I also have this soapbox about jobs. I hate the idea that it’s “stagnation” just because you’re in the same position for a little while.)
Emilybook 