Our lives are a constant stream of decisions, from the mundane to the emotionally charged. What's challenging to comprehend is how these small choices shape our future in big ways. The coffee we buy daily influences our ability to make big purchases later. The serendipitous interactions where we meet new acquaintances become the foundation for life-changing relationships.

In our modern, commercialized culture, this connection between present and future has morphed into an overwhelming flood of tasks and to-dos. We call it "life admin," and it's become a defining feature of our existence. But here's the thing: while we often tackle life admin solo, what if the key to mastering it lies in embracing our connections with others? What if, instead of drowning alone in paperwork and decisions, we could navigate this sea of responsibilities together?

Imagine life’s journey as a vast, uncharted ocean. All around us is a constant churn — the choppy waters of life admin. Some of us are natural swimmers, effortlessly gliding through the waves of paperwork and decisions. Others feel like we're constantly treading water, barely keeping our heads above the moving surface. But the truth is we're all bobbing in the water. We don't have to navigate these waters alone.

1. The Rising Tide of Life Admin

In today's world, the ocean of life admin is rising. Grocery lists, insurance policies, house maintenance, tax forms – they're all waves crashing over us, demanding our attention and energy. Legal scholar Elizabeth Emens aptly named this phenomenon "life admin," and it's becoming increasingly overwhelming.

What's worse, these waves come with moral undertows. Lawyers and life insurance salesman would suggest that if you leave this world without finances laid out for your family, you’re a burden on your family. The narrative among parents is that if you don’t get your children into the most prestigious schools available, then you’ve doomed their economic future. And college students are told that if they don’t know what to major in, they’re already doing college wrong. It's as if we're expected to be expert navigators of every part of this vast ocean.

2. Friends: Life Rafts in the Admin Sea

One of the few places we find a mental reprieve from life admin is in our friendships. Good friends remind us that it's okay to float sometimes, to enjoy the journey rather than constantly fighting against the current. Moreso than even close family, friends tend to show us that there's no one right way to navigate these waters and to let loose.

In today's individualized privacy-conscious society, we need to recognize the power of tackling life admin together.

Live or travel with a friend for just a few days and you’ll see we each have different gifts, different inclinations, different ways of processing life’s pressures. While credit bureaus assign us each a score, our friends see us with nuance and in context.

It’s with this lens—that of a friend—that Wayshaping aims to talk about the logistics and “life admin” that have come to shape modern life.

3. The Favored Swimmers in the Admin Ocean

Currently, our culture tends to favor the natural swimmers – those who love the grind of life admin. Credit scores, tax deductions, and health insurance systems all seem designed for those who enjoy plotting every detail of their journey.

For more than seven years, I've worked in financial tech among people who deeply believe in democratizing access to better services. And even among the idealists there, I see a common tendency: our technology serves the users who use it — who enjoy engaging in life admin. Today's tech helps the planner types, the DIY investors, the folks who simply can't not have affairs in relatively good order.

I believe it’s fundamentally unfair that if you think differently and aren’t a natural planner, you’re less well setup to thrive economically. Our world should support the many types of thinkers and doers: the organized, the disorganized, the free-minded, and the cautious. And that’s not a charitable position; our society relies on these people in real ways:

• The man behind on filing for Social Security? He could be facing the busiest year of his life, working while caring for his ailing spouse.
• The person who’s never invested a cent and so they have few retirement savings? They might be an artist who’ve dedicated their life to beautifying their community.
• The mother who forgot to file her taxes last year? A server and housekeeper working 3 jobs and doing essential work to take care of her family.

4. Everyone Deserves a Life Admin Lifeboat

We can’t chalk all people’s outcomes up to personal responsibility when we look at the public as we’d look at our own group of friends or family members. The number of tasks asked of us is too numerous. The language in our fillable forms is too opaque. The mental load of keeping track is too high. Whatever kind of person you might be, whatever your situation, and whatever your personality, you deserve an equal chance at financial viability, fulfillment, and recognition of your value to society.

That's why it's crucial to remember that everyone deserves support in navigating the admin ocean. Whether you're a meticulous planner or a free spirit, a seasoned sailor or someone who's just learning to swim, you should have access to the tools and support you need.

5. Wayshaping: Your Navigation Tool

This is where Wayshaping comes in. Think of it as a modern navigation tool for the ocean of life admin. It's not about prescribing a single route or making decisions for you. Instead, it's about providing you with usable maps, reliable information, and a supportive community of fellow navigators.

Wayshaping is built on the idea that we learn best when we're engaged in conversation, not just passively receiving information. It's a platform where you can connect with others, see examples, and find the approach to life admin that works best for you.

Remember, navigating the ocean of life admin doesn't have to be a solo journey. By connecting with others, recognizing our unique strengths, and joining communities like Wayshaping, we can all find our way through these sometimes turbulent waters. So, are you ready to set sail on a more collaborative admin adventure?