Spend some time with the sun →
Personally, the last few years have been a nightmare for me. Most of my days were spent locked inside the four walls of my room, with all the curtains down. I used to feel unusually tired.
In the last few months, I have inculcated a habit of sitting under the sun for 20 minutes. It saves me from mood swings and helps me keep my mind calm.
I live like a flower, drenched in the sun’s energy.
Be a monster →
While growing up, I was a meek guy who was always mindful of what others would think of me.
I used to sit in the back seat watching the world around me zoom ahead. I couldn’t convey my feelings and opinions. In other words, I wasn’t assertive about my thoughts. Quite often, I would let people walk over me.
Over time, I realized that this has to end. I was seriously undermining myself.
I had to be a monster, a beast that can only be controlled by me.
Practice →
From my childhood, I have always heard this phrase — “Practice makes a man perfect.”
It’s wrong.
From what life has taught me, I can say that — “Practice helps in making improvement.” You can never reach a state of perfection. You can always better yourself. No one in the world can ever be perfect.
The pursuit of perfection is a journey for an illusionary concept. Note that, ‘illusionary’ doesn’t mean ‘negative’ here.
Get to know yourself →
I am very unpredictable. At times, I feel like I don’t know myself well. For dealing with this, I maintain a journal.
I bring everything down to words. My favorite quotes, my diary entries, book reviews, to-do lists, random photos, literally everything. I understand myself more when I flip through the old entries.
The real definition of happiness →
There was this phase in my life where I attached my happiness to my achievements. I let materialistic things define my emotions.
Here’s the thing — Achievements do depend on your luck. Life is brutal that way. You might work hard but sometimes, you just don’t reach success.
Happiness ≠ Achievements.
When I began writing on Quora (I am a writer on Quora), I didn’t get much recognition. Well, my writing was trash back then.
“Why is this happening with me?” — would be the thought swirling in my head for the whole day. Gradually, it began to take a toll on me. Depression kicked in. My life was thrown off balance.
Now, I am in control of my emotions. I have learned that my happiness resides in the process rather than the outcome.
There is no path to happiness. Happiness is not the destination, it is the journey. Happiness itself is the path. :)
I am my own competition →
I have learnt to never compare myself with others.
You might see their glistening exterior but you wouldn’t be able to understand the reality of their life. Who knows, they might be getting crushed under their hidden burdens? Everyone has a different life.
The only parameter that you can use to compare your growth is your past self.
Attachment often hurts →
Never attach your emotions to something else.
When you learn to take responsibility for your emotional well-being, when your happiness is all about you, nothing can bring you down. Don’t forget that in times of darkness, even your own shadow leaves you.
Learn to let go →
I want you to imagine there’s a glass of water in front of you. I want you to hold it.
— If you hold it for a minute, you wouldn’t feel any discomfort. That’s easy, isn’t it?
— If you hold it for an hour, your arm will begin to pain.
— If you continue holding it for a whole day, your arm will likely have severe cramps, and you might compromise your health.
The same goes for negativity. Throw it out. All it does is it weighs you down. The more you hold on to it, the heavier it will become.
Take your time →
Japan is 16 hours ahead of the US. That doesn’t mean that the US is slower than Japan.
Everyone in the world has their unique time zone. Some people might seem to be zooming ahead of you. Some might seem to be slowly climbing the mountain of life. But, that’s not the reality.
Everyone has a unique life. All of us are in a race — we are competing against ourselves. Always remember, others are in their own time zone and you are in yours.
Compared to others, you might need more time to heal. Give yourself that time. Embrace all that is you.
Relax, take your time and aim for the stars. ✨
Thanks
Thank you for reading my story. If you want to read and hear more from me, please go ahead and follow me. I hope you have a great week ahead!
