When I ask my cousin how he’s doing, he often replies with one word: “Medium.” Neither good nor bad—just somewhere in the middle. And the more I think about it, the more I realize how true this is for most of us. The majority of life isn’t lived in the extremes. It’s spent in the “medium” range, going through routines, handling responsibilities, and enjoying small, fleeting moments.

But it raises an important question: Should we be content with the mundane, or should we actively seek out more highs and lows to make life feel like a roller coaster? Let’s explore both sides.

The Case for Embracing the Roller Coaster

Life’s most memorable moments often happen at the extremes—the soaring highs of a big win, the depths of a heartbreak, or the adrenaline of taking a bold risk. Without these highs and lows, it can feel like life is just passing us by.

  1. Highs and Lows Add Meaning
    • The contrast between highs and lows makes the good moments feel even sweeter. It’s hard to truly appreciate happiness if you’ve never known struggle.
  2. Growth Often Happens in the Extremes
    • Taking risks, stepping out of your comfort zone, or even enduring tough times often leads to personal growth and deeper understanding.
  3. A More Exciting Story
    • At the end of the day, the stories we love to tell are rarely about the mundane. They’re about the challenges we overcame and the heights we achieved. A life of highs and lows might be more fulfilling because it’s richer in experiences.

The Case for Finding Joy in the Mundane

While the highs and lows can be exhilarating, they’re also exhausting. There’s a certain beauty in the steadiness of life’s “medium” moments, and striving for balance can bring peace and contentment.

  1. Stability Provides Security
    • A predictable life allows us to feel safe and secure, which is a fundamental human need. Knowing what to expect reduces anxiety and stress.
  2. The Mundane is Where Life Happens
    • Many of life’s most meaningful moments are found in the quiet, ordinary routines—sharing a meal with loved ones, taking a walk, or simply enjoying a moment of stillness.
  3. Contentment is Underrated
    • Constantly chasing highs can lead to dissatisfaction, as we’re always looking for the next thrill. Finding joy in the everyday can lead to a deeper, more sustainable sense of happiness.

Is There a Middle Ground?

Perhaps the answer isn’t to choose one over the other but to find a balance. Life doesn’t have to be a constant roller coaster, nor does it need to be entirely predictable. The key is knowing when to embrace each approach:

  • Lean Into Highs and Lows When Opportunity Arises
    • Say yes to the big risks, the bold adventures, and the moments that push you out of your comfort zone. These are the times that add color and excitement to life.
  • Appreciate the Medium Moments
    • Recognize that much of life is lived in the in-between, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The mundane provides a foundation for the highs and a refuge from the lows.
  • Create Intentional Highs
    • Not all highs have to come from dramatic events. Plan small moments of joy—a weekend trip, a night out, or a creative project—that add excitement without chaos.

Final Thoughts

Life, for most of us, is lived in the medium range. But that doesn’t mean it has to be boring or unsatisfying. The key is finding balance: appreciating the stability of the everyday while still seeking out the highs and learning from the lows.

So, should life be like a roller coaster or a steady, predictable path? Maybe it’s not about choosing one or the other. Instead, it’s about finding joy in the ride, wherever it may take you—whether you’re soaring to the top, plunging to the bottom, or simply cruising in the middle.