What to do with one’s life? That’s something I’ve been asking myself a lot lately. I thought I got it figured out. I like the work I am doing and currently there’s nothing better I can do given my situation. One could say I am at the most optimal position I could be. But it seems like I am doing something wrong, there is a voice in the back of my head telling me life could be better, more meaningful.
Life doesn’t beat you down with a single punch. It wears you down slowly and relentlessly. And for whatever reason, that is a much harder battle to fight than a full-on crisis.
It appears that I might be regarding a “conventional” life as a form of surrender to mere existence. To clarify, I don’t necessarily have an issue with living a regular life. What concerns me more is the mindset we adopt. Often, people give up on seeing the beauty in the world and fail to recognize the true wonder of life. This is what worries me. Life should be an adventure, a continuous exploration of the universe. When we lose that perspective, we risk becoming no different from any other animal in the wild, living solely to survive– work, and reproduce in a seemingly meaningless cycle.
It all starts to appear absurd unless we acknowledge that life and existence are incredible and, more importantly, inherently valuable. The moment we lose our sense of wonder and that child-like appreciation for life, we risk reducing ourselves to mere animals, living merely for the sake of living. Thus, the challenge lies in discovering and preserving that meaning in life, in maintaining that deep appreciation for existence.
I can’t recall exactly when or how I arrived at this realization, but I learned that even the so-called “adults” don’t have it all figured out. The truth is, hardly anyone has all the answers; most people are just as confused as I am. What’s more, many have already thrown in the towel. Over time, people stop asking, “What should I do with my life? What makes a good life for me? What is the meaning of it all?” Instead, they simply begin doing whatever appears to be acceptable at the moment. After all, there comes a point where you have to “settle down”. What’s even more disheartening is that some individuals never even bother to pose such questions. They lead a life dictated by others, a life predetermined by the expectations of loved ones. Many find themselves trapped in such a fate, and most lack the courage or even the desire to challenge it.
Living a good life takes a lot of effort and practice. It’s a common misconception that qualities like kindness, happiness or benign a good human being come naturally. Most individuals who enjoy a good life, successful careers, and strong relationships don’t achieve these by chance. You need to intentionally discover and learn how to embody the qualities that constitute a fulfilling life. These attributes don’t come naturally; instead, they are nurtured through deliberate, ongoing effort and continuous learning. Ultimately, it means you have to determine the kind of person you want to become and the life you want to lead, and then work towards those goals. Many of us underestimate how much we can truly accomplish when we set our minds to something. As the saying goes, “Do it as if your life depends on it, because it does”.