In the midst of the political turmoil, 24-hour news cycles, social media rants, and 60-hour work weeks, it’s extremely difficult finding time to focus on anything except what you have to do next. We always have something to do. We spend countless hours working, making money, and inevitably living for someone else.
Recently, I’ve been talking to a lot of my friends that are recent graduates. They all were really successful in their academics but are having a hard job finding careers. They’ve ended up taking jobs in insurance and security just to get by instead of what they really want. A reoccurring theme of our conversations have been around needing more money to do what they want.
One friend is working two jobs. Another friend is trying to decide if he should go back to school because things are not coming together the way that he wants. Another friend is constantly stressing because even though she feels she makes “good money”, she hates her job. They all feel trapped in the lifestyle they fought so hard to obtain.
Since then, I’ve been really asking them about their dreams. What makes them get up in the morning? What are their desires? What are their fears? What motivates them? What do they need to truly feel that everyday is worth it? The sad thing is, most of them couldn’t answer this question. The ones that could answer said they did not have time.
On a deeper level, my favorite way of getting to know people on a personal level is to ask them about their childhood. What did they enjoy before school became demanding. Did they sing? Did they draw? Did they like reading or acting? Who were you at your most free? How was life different then?
Hearing that, I’ve started to reassess my own life. I decided that I want to figure out how to make money in new ways. I want to figure out how I can use my talents and passions in ways that can make it easier for me to continue living out those passions. I love writing, speaking, and music. Those are my passions. The more I can incorporate them in my daily life, the better my life is. Happiness is a choice. I had to choose to be happy.
With so many things vying for your attention, what makes you happy? What do you enjoy? How can incorporate those things in your daily life? What’s something you would like to make time for? Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks for this post.
This year I set a lot of goals that I believe will contribute to more happiness. My goals include expanding the music I listen to, song writing, continuing practice in dancehall dance, stepping more into bellydance, and making strides toward building my arts and activism circle.
I am lucky because I am going to school for a subject I love. I recently made a jump in my fields that intimidated me at first, but now I feel like I have found the perfect fit for my research interests.
I think that the secret to a more fulfilled life deals with not necessarily doing more, but more meaningful actions. Getting more out of your time versus filling that time with more things. You goals seem to be passion led and that leads you to where you are supposed to be in life.