E. Lexi Abbott

I think one of the strangest parts of being human is that we experience life linearly while understanding it retroactively.

In the moment, most of us are just trying to make the next decision with the information we currently have. We rarely see the full picture while we’re inside of it.

Then months or years later, something clicks.

Patterns emerge. Lessons become obvious. Pain makes sense. Growth becomes visible. We look back and realize that what once felt random was actually shaping us the entire time.

I think this is part of why reflection matters so much and why constant stimulation can make it difficult to truly process our lives. Sometimes understanding only arrives after we pause long enough to let it.

Experience first.

Understanding later.

Read the full article here: https://elexiabbott.com/2026/05/19/we-experience-life-linearly-while-understanding-it-retroactively/

We Experience Life Linearly While Understanding It Retroactively I think one of the strangest parts of being human is that we experience life linearly while understanding it retroactively. No, seriously, when you sit down and truly think about it, every single …