Adrian Chiles recounts his experience filling out the National Survey for Wales, a process that started with simple questions but quickly delved into profound introspection. The survey, commissioned by the Welsh government since 2012, aims to gauge public opinions on services and life in Wales. Chiles notes that what began as a trivial pursuit turned into a guilt-inducing and thought-provoking exercise, offering a £15 voucher for participation but demanding deep self-examination.
From Trivial to Transformative
Chiles describes the initial questions as "looseners"—name, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, and education. However, the survey soon pivoted to financial matters, asking about housing costs and ability to afford essentials. He reflects on how these questions highlighted his own privilege, contrasting with others who struggle. The query, "Have you run out of mobile phone data this year?" prompted memories of his late father, who struggled with technology.
Life Satisfaction and Guilt
The survey then asked, "Overall, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays?" on a scale of 1 to 10. Chiles gave a 9, noting that after confirming he could afford to heat his home and pay bills, a higher score felt necessary. He admits he might have scored lower before the survey, but the questions shamed him into gratitude. The survey also probed feelings of emptiness, rejection, and closeness to others, which Chiles answered positively, but with awareness that not everyone can.
Exercising Regret and Resolutions
Chiles felt disappointed with his diet, alcohol intake, and exercise choices. He resolved to try new activities, including hang-gliding and martial arts, to have more to tick in future surveys. At 60, he sees this as a timely push for change. The article concludes with an invitation for readers to submit letters of up to 300 words to the Guardian.
