PERMA: Tracklocross Happiness

Today, we are going to look at Seligman’s positive psychology model, the PERMA model. I have two minds here; one is to do my tracklocross style parody of the idea, and the other is actually to type out a way to apply PERMA to tracklocross. Before I begin, though, I will say that there are issues with the PERMA model, so don’t expect it to solve all your life’s problems; just use it as part of your mental wellbeing toolkit.

P: Pedaling all the time

E: Experience

R: Ratios

M: Miles

A: Acceptance

I’ve taken the PERMA model and changed what the acronym means to make it more tracklocross; everything in life needs more tracklocross. In case you are wondering, here is what Seligman proposed.

P: Positive emotions

E: Engagement

R: Relationships

M: Meaning

A: Accomplishments

P: Pedaling all the time

In tracklocross, you pedal always; it is kind of the point. Coasting makes you weak; pedalling makes you strong.

There is nothing better than a bit of toxic masculinity to make you a better person. 

By pedalling all the time, you have to stay in the moment; by removing yourself and switching off from your environment, you are more likely to have a fall. Tracklocross has you riding fixed offroad, and you have no choice but to pay attention to the world around you. You can then have a break from those fears that Harold from Neighbours has terminal cancer and that this is a sign of your childhood dying. 

Tracklocross: the magical panacea to the current world.

E: Experience

By being in the moment, you are experiencing the world and not the oversaturation of capitalism. Switch off, drop out, fuck those emails, go and experience the woods.

R: Ratios

Tracklocross is all about ratios. The gear ratio that lets you be in control when riding in the woods, the ratio of the amount of time in the woods compared to “real” life. The first should be low, and the second should be high.

M: Miles

There is nothing better than being miles away from your problems, either physically or mentally. Now, I’m not saying abandon your problems and hide from them; I’m saying accept that you need time away from thinking about them, and you will realise that they are small, except that you are not spending enough time in the woods. Seriously, abandon modern life and become a troll.

A: Acceptance

Just accept that life is shit, and we need to overthrow the current structures.