Think of the pastabilities if you just stopped sponging
Not all kitchen tools are made equal. Some inspire a mantra for life.
Although the title may seem elusive, I promise this is not a BuzzFeed quiz.
It is, in fact, more of a quizzical take on the popular adage, “Be a sponge, soak up everything you can”. And the many renditions of it.
You may have heard Jim Rohn’s version, “Be like a sponge with each new experience”, or Friedrich Nietzsche's romantic depiction, “One must learn to be a sponge if one wants to be loved by hearts that overflow”.
Maxims that carry wisdom in them when they glorify curiosity and the wonders around us. They are resounding in their suggestion to observe and listen. And as a kid, being a sponge is how you compose meaning in the world around you.
But as I grew up, I questioned its virality. Why does everyone hold this saying in such high regard?
In my experience, I was beginning to find that being a sponge wasn’t all that favourable. Soaking in every part of the world around me and embracing it within weighed me down at times. Every experience, every moment, every habit, every word exchanged, and every person encountered were absorbed. Even if just for a short while.
But I would burst through the seams desperate for a squeeze so I could let go of everything that wasn’t meant for me.
I needed a shift in how I navigated the world. So, I chose to embody a pasta strainer instead.
Experiencing things with curiosity but letting go of what doesn’t serve me. Choosing to only retain meaningful pastabilties.
When I get advice or feedback, I keep the “pasta” of it that I believe will transform circumstances for the better. I let my mind filter what is irrelevant to me or things I can’t change.
Starting a new job or learning a new skill, while exciting, can feel quite unfamiliar and uncomfortable. Being a sponge, although intended to be bountiful, makes the experience all the more overwhelming.
So I like to focus on a few things to learn first and let the others winnow away. And much like saving some pasta water to enhance your sauce later, I relegate to the side, elements to improve down the road.
Being a product designer for work, I see my whole process as akin to straining pasta. I embrace the ambiguity of the problem, let it boil and simmer in my head, discover more by separating the goodness from the chaos, and lend it meaning by untangling the spaghettininess of it all.
I love being curled up with a good book. I read every chance I get but not every book lights a fire in me or transports me to a magical world. Some fall flat. Viewing this hobby similar to straining pasta means that I can still savour the act of reading without feeling guilty about not finishing a book. I simply pick up another one.
For life in general, viewing it through the lens of a pasta strainer feels more natural. When I took the perspective of a sponge, I absorbed everything, even the negative energy, and that weighed me down. While we all experience challenges in life, we can filter them to hold onto the positive moments. Besides, a pasta strainer definitely sits higher than a sponge in the kitchen essentials hierarchy.
If a pasta strainer doesn’t tickle your fancy, call it whatever you want. A filter, a colander, a sieve, a sifter ( although you wouldn’t sound nearly as memorable ). But you can see how one can apply this mindset to anything in life. For me, it started with thinking about how I apply the feedback I receive at work but it quickly grew into a mantra for life.
You may be tiring of all the pasta puns, so here are my final words for pasta-terity. The next time someone suggests being a sponge, contest them gently and share with them the immense dynamism of the beloved pasta strainer.
Hi! I’m Smriti, a product designer doing her best work at the intersection of design, technology, and well-being. Writing is my favorite form of creativity, and I share interesting stories about design and everyday life. If you found my musings interesting, here’s a big joyful thank you. 🙌
If you’d like to hear more from me, follow this page and leave me a comment about what resonated with you. I love hearing from you ✌🏼
