I’m often caught between conflicting forces when it comes to defining success in my life. On one hand, from the moment I start my day and log onto LinkedIn, I’m inundated with messaging about goal setting, ‘hustle-mode’, maximize-your-output type of content. On the other hand, when I engage with content from international creators, the message is much more about creating a life of content and highlighting the pleasures of everyday life. Now, I think this is a uniquely American problem, and further still perhaps, a uniquely millennial problem. We’ve always been taught “go after your dreams!” - but, what if your ‘dreams’ include just feeling calm and satisfied with what you have around you?
I started thinking about my job today and where it could take me in the next 5, 10, 15 years, and was starting to do the pin-ball machine thing in my brain that I often do when overwhelmed. Again, the conflicting forces. I’m pretty happy with what I’m currently doing, and who knows where it will take me in the future? I sort of have this inner faith that as long as I produce quality work, move fast, and am kind to people, things will work out exactly as they are supposed to. On the flip side, there’s a voice telling me that I need to create a roadmap with a full strategy of ‘how to get ahead’ over the next 15 years. I got stressed, as the things I lacked became more apparent - and then I got disheartened.
Is it okay to just want to enjoy what you’re doing?
Is it okay to value joy over hustle?
Is it okay to care more about building up your inner home than building up your resume?
As I mentioned, I believe this to be a uniquely American problem. What helps ground me is having travelled a decent amount and having always been intentional about connecting with locals, sparking enlightening conversations while making new friends. I’ll never forget a server in Santorini telling us ‘the most important thing is just that you enjoy your life.’ One of my favorite creators, Lana Blakey, from Sweden, recently posted a video talking about how it was okay to not have a ‘life’s purpose'.’ The new (and amazing) Pixar movie, Soul, also discusses this topic in a really beautiful way.
If I’m honest about what I do want, it’s simple:
I want to feel serene, and content, and be surrounded by people I love and can depend on. I want to feel safe and secure, so having a certain level of income is required for that, no doubt. I also want to be able to travel somewhat frequently without financial limitations.
Work wise: I want to be an asset for any job I do, producing excellent work and being known as being someone other’s can count on, but I don’t need to be the CEO. I want to surpass expectations while I’m at work, but don’t want to spend my free time networking to try and get ahead.
Younger, more idealistic me would have said ‘I need to change the world.’
But what I’ve realized is, I don’t need to change the world.
I just need to change my world - and by leaving those around me, in my orbit, better off than they were before, by spreading light, knowledge, and inspiration.
I’m getting more comfortable with the idea of not being hungry to climb the ladder or influence a large audience, but it is an ongoing battle in my head. Reading this back, I think an immediate ‘take away’ for myself is to spend much less time on Linked In…
I’ll end this by saying, when I envision my ‘dream life’ - career clout is never a part of my vision. Instead, I’m visualizing being cozy, with my dog, with someone I love, somewhere cold, taking pleasure in the simple things in life, like making a delicious cup of coffee, and of course, planning frequent adventures to new places.
There’s still time to change my mind on this, of course, who knows what my growth in the future will look like.
At the core, the most important thing is to create an inner home you are at peace with, regardless of if you have hustle-mode ‘on’ or ‘off.’
❤️
My reaction to 'Take Your Pills' Netflix documentary from an adult diagnosed with ADHD at 28.