Many individuals exist, going through the motions of daily life without truly living.
Even in their golden years, some individuals may lose their zest for life after retiring.
Some younger people have already dismissed themselves. Their idea of life consists of lounging in front of the television and idly passing their days. The false belief is that they have all the time in the world and can put off everything until tomorrow.
The fact is that tomorrow is always just out of reach. People often wait until it’s too late to make changes, only to feel regret as they reflect on their lives.
What does it take to finally realise that our lives have become dull and routine and that we desperately need to inject more excitement and passion into them?
It is common for people to take for granted the things they possess and hold onto the misconception that circumstances will never alter.
We often believe that our role in our job is irreplaceable and that we will consistently have the financial resources to meet our obligations and indefinitely secure a roof over our heads.
The pandemic served as a stark reminder that situations can shift in the blink of an eye. Businesses faced closures due to losses, prompting more established institutions to reassess their workforce requirements.
The sudden realisation sets in that before losing your job, how financially stable you were enough to sustain yourself and perhaps even indulge in the luxuries of life.
You have debts to pay and are in a race against time to secure a new job or be at risk of becoming homeless.
Despite successfully retaining your current position, the promotion you were aiming for is even more out of reach than you initially anticipated, as a reminder that nothing is written in stone.
The global health crisis prompted many of us to reassess our priorities. Are we genuinely fulfilled in our current job? Is there potential for growth and fulfilment through further education and pursuing our passions?
The pandemic became a stark reminder to reevaluate one’s life, offering a glimpse into the harsh realities we often overlook.
While exact figures are unavailable, it’s evident that many families faced turmoil as they grappled with feeling stifled within their relationships.
The constant proximity of living together every hour of every day brought these underlying issues to the surface.
‘It must have been challenging when you are accustomed to going to work and interacting with coworkers, as this can provide a necessary respite from the family environment for various reasons.’
While some individuals may have found contentment in receiving payment to stay at home, others were eager to escape the confines of their own homes.
As disagreements grew more intense and tempers flared, there seemed to be no way out from the escalating conflict.
A handful of individuals expressed surprise at the overwhelming stress of being stuck indoors with crying babies and the havoc their children wreaked in the household. They also mentioned that they had never fully comprehended their partner’s daily challenges while staying home.
‘Someone proposed that women who cared for more than one child should receive a platinum award to recognise their efforts, highlighting the importance of their needing a break.’
Reflecting on the lockdown, I found inspiration as lone time provided a valuable opportunity to introspect the present situation.
Throughout my life, I have come to appreciate the gift of having my five senses, even though I was born with impaired vision in one eye that I have grown accustomed to.
After undergoing laser surgery to remove my tonsils, I spent a year without the ability to taste anything.
The challenge of living a year without taste made everything feel monotonous. It gave me a newfound empathy for cancer patients who experience similar side effects from chemotherapy.
Only when something is taken away from us do we truly understand its value? This is why I think it’s important to show appreciation to God for all that we have.
Today, the media constantly bombards us with images of perfection, leading us to believe that being flawless should be a human’s natural desire.
Ironically, those who possess it are unaware, while those who believe they have it are delusional.
It seems that mindset plays a crucial role here. People who seem overly confident in their ability to attract others tend to ignore their shortcomings and negative behaviours. As a result, they often end up alone.
What defines a life of quality?
A quality life is defined by the health, comfort, and happiness an individual or group experiences. It encompasses all the essential elements necessary for a fulfilling existence.
Quality always triumphs over quantity.
I prioritise quality over quantity in all things.
For years, I clung to a relationship doomed to fail, plagued by trust issues and a misunderstanding of love.
I was broken long before I entered the dating world. At 19, this tumultuous first relationship spanned nearly two decades of my life, filled with cycles of breaking up and getting back together.
If I had the tools and mindset I have now, things would have turned out entirely differently.
I struggled with feelings of insecurity, instability, and emotional unavailability, which were only exacerbated by the negative beliefs I had been fed about men.
Considering the negative feedback from outsiders who weren’t involved in the relationship, I was shocked that he chose to stay despite my questionable behaviour.
The emphasis on quantity overshadowed the importance of quality in the time spent.
In my quest for mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness, I realised that I was inadvertently nourishing the negative aspects of my journey without the necessary tools.
The burden of my mental illness drove me to contemplate death, as I felt trapped in a life devoid of joy and purpose, merely existing as the years passed by.
I am responsible for my actions. I neglected to think for myself and allowed the opposing perspectives of others to influence me.
I felt like a stranger in my skin. The only semblance of reality I could grasp was the image staring back at me in the mirror.
Should we measure the success of a relationship solely based on the number of years together rather than the quality of happiness and comfort shared within it?
One guy anonymously stated, ‘Sometimes, we deceive ourselves into thinking everything was fine when we were never truly content. We remained in toxic and unhealthy relationships, lacking respect and love, simply because we feared being alone.’
I prefer solitude over settling. Remaining in a stagnant relationship only blocks the path to a more fulfilling life.
Choosing quality over quantity.
Creating a pie chart of my life during that time would reveal that over three-quarters of it was consumed by unhappiness.
In contrast, a pie chart of the past few years would show a significant shift, with happiness/contentment now occupying a much more substantial portion of my life.
While some may say reaching forty is luck, true fortune lies in finding oneself in time. I am grateful for the opportunity to have discovered who I am. With the tools I possess, I have a chance and hope to live my life to the fullest.
In everything, there must be a balance.
Natalie M Bleau Scripture of Balance