Life as a Tweaker
"Tweaker" is slang for meth addict. Life for a tweaker can be short. My afflicted son got to age 29 before tragically passing.
But let’s flip the meaning. Let’s talk about the original idea of tweaking: small, steady changes.
Tiny Adjustments, Big Impact
Tweaking is basically tiny steps. A good way to think of tweaking is “continuous improvement.”
Cyclists tend to be tweakers when it comes to bike fit. You’d be amazed how much a small seat adjustment can affect comfort and efficiency.
Creatives also tweak. If you're a writer, artist, photo taker, gardener, or website builder, you're almost certainly a tweaker. Someone constantly refining their work-in-progress in search of something better.
The Pleasure of Progress
Here’s the mind-blowing part. Tweaking, or continuous improvement, is one of life’s basic pleasures.
It feels good. Just like learning something new or taking a pee when you really have to. Dopamine is released. Yep.
Tiny Steps, Big Medicine
Continuous improvement as a way of life supports joyful living. It’s about small things. Tiny steps.
Incremental progress in anything you care about is powerful, feel-good medicine. The possibilities are unlimited.
Creative Tweaking
Creative expression is a perfect playground for tweaks. For me, writing and landscaping are on the list. Always a chance for a small improvement.
What’s on your creative list? Music maybe? Lucky dog, if so.
The Body as a Tweaker's Playground
Your body is a tweaker’s universe unto itself. Learning new physical skills (someday I’ll try golf) or chipping away at fitness gives you a lifetime of opportunity.
Start where you are. Tweak from there. Maybe walk a bit farther or faster next time. Or try pickleball (careful, dangerous).
Experiment. Find something physical you enjoy.
Small Steps in Relationships
Relationships offer another realm for tweaking. Small steps to connect better with others are always worth taking.
Being a better listener is an ongoing challenge for me. It feels good when I actually let someone finish talking without interrupting.
Like we said, small steps. Right?
Tinkering with Projects
Then there are projects. Endless little projects. Putzing is fun. Sometimes spontaneous, sometimes checking things off your list.
What’s your putzing life like?
Spiritual Growth in Tiny Doses
Spiritual growth can happen in tiny steps too.
It’s rewarding to look back on your spiritual evolution and wonder what lies ahead.
You’re Already a Tweaker
Life as a continuous improvement tweaker can be a beautiful way to live. You’re already doing it in all sorts of ways.
Claim it. Lean into it.
“The measure of the greatness of a man is not how great he is, but rather the rate at which he is getting better.”
With love and support,
Craig
Craig A Williamson
Lessons from Addiction
lessonsfromaddiction.com
📖 Read my book, Regarding Substance Abuse & Addiction, where I share real-world insights from firsthand experience - losing my only son to addiction.
