All About

To live a filling, full, lively, lovely life...

It's a word I made up to describe my worldview, with a lyrically written definition because I am personally obsessed with rhyme. As an intentionally individualistic, poetic concept, vivarism varies from person to person. We all have our own lives, therefore our own interpretation of what a "good one" looks and feels like. I believe in every person's right to choose for themselves. At its core, vivarism is values-based living.

However, its named components— filling, full, lively, and lovely— do have specific meanings. Overall, they point towards a living expression of vivarism: how it actually feels to live a good life. I'll describe them now, one at a time.

Filling refers to a life overflowing with various activities. As an isolated person who has intentionally remained so for the better part of a decade, it's at first hard to say that my life has been "filled" with anything but battling severe mental illness. But when I think about how I pass the time on my better days, it's plain to see that I can and do accomplish things. Small things, maybe, but small things add up. And it's not always easy, but I can do lots of things that make me happy or that I find personally important. I can get my fill of life.

Full... Well, there is some nuance here. Where "filling" refers to variety, "full" refers to richness— the potency of existence itself. Life is precious and I won't waste a single moment. Luckily for all of us, there is no such thing as "waste," and we can find meaning in everything if only we slow down to look. If you ever criticise your actions as pointless, then I'd encourage you to give yourself a little grace. Wonder what you might've been trying to do.... Because, whether we realise it or not, we've all got our motivations, and I think there's a universal beauty— a fullness— in even our least intentional efforts.

Lively, here, is rather literal. It refers to energetic actions, proactive decisions, a determination to do something. It's not just the energy, but the choice itself— the choice to choose! Besides vivarism, my favourite V word is volition, and I believe very strongly in exercising mine. Though my depression requires me to rest more than most, the moment I get my energy back, I find myself running full speed ahead, reaching for happiness with both hands. Most of this website was conceived during such flurries of activity. Still, even at my most exhausted, I can make healthy choices and experience liveliness at a slower pace.

Lovely— finally, my favourite part, the piece of vivarism I feel with the most regularity and highest intensity. How can I describe it? To me, love is an instant smile. It's fluffy, it's warm, it's an internal texture I can't stop petting. Love is a lightness in the body and soul, bright and indulgent, sumptuous and sweet. If you stripped me of everything— took my poetry, my philosophy, my dignity— you'd be left with nothing but love, love, love. I understand that one day we all will die, but a lovely life cultivates the one thing will always survive.