Temporal setting is the device of authors to pick a specific period of time which then dictates elements of the story. Think of the creators of Stranger Things, The Duffer Brothers. They selected a time before cell phones when kids were allowed to ride bikes as transportation and encouraged to play outside unsupervised. Their selection of time and place allows them to create scenarios where the kids can’t immediately get in touch with each other, parents are easily misdirected by promises of sleepovers that never happen, and the divorced mom is considered someone to be pitied or judged. All of these layers give way to the bigger themes of the show-friendship, loss of innocence, and childlike play.
Screenshot of Stranger Things
In our own lives, the thematic arc of our story reveals itself only upon reflection and most often with the passage of time. We are not able to select our temporal setting. The circumstances of the world in which we are born and subsequently inhabit, are beyond our control. Most of us assemble a life with a cast of characters, the props, and the chapters based on what we see around us. As a species, we learn by observing others and copying the behaviors that keep us safe. Is assembly through mimicry going to build a life you want?
When I was applying to college as a high school senior, it was never a question of whether or not I would go to college. This was my next chapter. There certainly wasn’t any conversation about starting at a community college or taking a gap year because my going to a 4 year college or university was a chapter in my parents and my grandparents stories as well. For the record, I enjoyed college and liked where I went. While I don’t regret my college experience, there is a residual longing for the paths unexplored.
My real regret is compliance and lack of curiosity. When I am lulled into group think or take the well-trodden path because it feels easier, I disappoint myself. I am not interested in being a rebel for the sake of being different. I am not going to challenge the status quo because I crave chaos or excitement. When I shun my curiosity for the comfort of the way ‘it has always been done’, I miss an opportunity. Inquiry is a chance to listen to my own knowing, a moment to trust myself and conduct an honest investigation. My exploration may or may not result in a different path or answer. That’s not the point.
While I cannot select my temporal setting, I can stay present in my own life. Take time to reflect on my experiences, pay attention to my inner wisdom, and make choices that speak to the thematic arc of the story I want to tell.