Let Life Surprise You
At 18, I believed that I was a girl with big goals, dreams, and a purpose. But although I had big plans, I realized I was lying to myself.
At 23, I started being honest to myself and discovered that my dreams are not the same — and none related to my career. I thought working a good job and earning more money would make me finally settle in life, but what gives me purpose is living with meaning and intention.
Everything is temporary, and I’ve discovered that the more you chase something, the further away it runs like happiness, sadness, and dreams.
As an almost grown-up, I don’t judge myself for having small dreams and a desire to enjoy the little things. The more I accept that what matters is living a life that’s true to me and stopping chasing goals, the more happiness I receive.
Back when I was a university student, I was obsessed with finding a job after graduation that would help me pay my student loans.
I wasn’t thrilled with the small jobs I took, but I thought becoming a writer would be exactly how I imagined it would be at 18. I dreamed of being a successful and published writer, and it’d make my career worthwhile.
But over the years, I lost interest in writing and the desire to be a writer for my entire life.
Then last year, I realized that a job is simply a way to pay your bills and earn an income. It doesn’t make me entirely who I am, and I am something outside of work.
My point is — that it’s not about the money, the career milestones, or the degrees.
It is about everything that comes after those 8 hours sitting in front of a screen, and it is about the deeper meaning, fulfillment, and peace of life.
So I stopped chasing goals.
So many people live to chase approval or external validation from the world, and they are distracted by the rat race and chase happiness. Many people think that doing a bit of journaling, setting some goals, and having a dream is enough.
But they get exhausted. Because you had to admit — the meaning of this life is to let it surprise you.
I often set goals, work towards them, and create new habits, but when I meet a challenge, I freak out and give up. It’s a vicious cycle.
To get out of this cycle, start looking for answers within yourself. Connect with yourself, and ask how you can let the world bring you things, feelings, and happiness naturally, without forcing them.
I’m not saying it isn’t nice to have goals. But if you’re only chasing them to fit in or because somebody on the Internet told you so, you need to change your mindset.
If you want to set goals, nobody’s going to stop you. You do you, babe.
But trust that they are your goals. Trust that they are what you want in your heart.
But if you’re like me and don’t want to get lost in life, then show up every day and let life surprise you. Believe that the big actions are great, but the tiny steps every day lead to progress.
Because life will disappoint you, but it will also reward you.
Are you brave enough to open up to life?
