Welcome back, Adam!
When I was in Ballina Richard emphasized & re-emphasized that investigation should be done when in a space of feeling good… almost to the point that it’s a waste of time when you’re not feeling good. I think you’re on the right track with taking that approach.
Similarly with the pragmatism: the actualism method is about feeling happy and harmless… all the ‘understandings’ in the world won’t necessarily accomplish that.