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0 By Jessica Evans
I’ve had this sudden realization, one that randomly decided to smack me in the face today. I need to stop taking life so seriously. Don’t ask me why today, or why so suddenly – because I have no idea. This is just how my brain works.
My epiphany – Stop taking life so seriously!
Okay, so I’m not quite sure how to begin with this. But I’m going to do my best. This morning, I was sitting here thinking about what I wanted to write about next on my blog. I don’t know why, but this thought popped into my head – why do we take life so seriously? I mean, it’s not like we’re going to make it out alive.
“Humanity takes itself too seriously. It is the world’s original sin. If the cave-man had known how to laugh, History would have been different.” ~ Oscar Wilde
And then I realized. I have spent way more of my life than I should have being miserable, feeling miserable, being depressed over nothing, worrying about nothing or things I can’t change anyway, dwelling on the past, and overthinking the future. Why? Why did I do this to myself, and why did I let it go on for so long? Not only that, but instead of trying to help myself, change my thinking, or trying to get better, I rolled around in it all. Yes, I admit, have even used my anxiety and depression, even my ADD, as an excuse. So many times I’ve told myself, ‘I can’t’, or, ‘I can’t help it’, and while there were times where I actually couldn’t help it, I could’ve done something that could’ve helped it. But I didn’t.
I lied to myself and to others everyday with the words, ‘I’ve got this under control, it’s not that bad’, and ‘I don’t need help, I’m fine’. What’s worse, I actually believed it. For the most part. Until I fell into a pit so low, I wasn’t sure it even had a bottom. That’s when I knew I needed to get serious and get help. Things had to change. I had to change.
Waking up to reality
I stepped up, and through my tears and my pain, made a phone call that has changed the course of my life. I found my counselor, chose her randomly from a list of names online. Looking back, maybe it wasn’t so random after all. Either way, I’m thankful I found her, and at just the right moment in my life.
I was finally truly ready to get serious about overcoming my anxiety, depression and unhappiness within myself. No more excuses, no more lies. It was time to be honest, and I was ready to do whatever it took to get me where I wanted to be, and where I knew I could and should be.
That was a year and a half ago, and I am not even close to the same person I used to be. I’m not perfect by any means, and I still have my flaws. The difference is, now I know it’s ok to have flaws. It’s ok to accept and love myself for who I am, imperfections and all.
There’s a much bigger lesson I learned, beyond gaining control of my emotions and feelings It goes even beyond accepting myself for who I am. Until today, I hadn’t fully understood the most important lesson of all, to stop taking life so seriously. Self realization truly is a powerful tool that can open your mind to things you never thought possible.
Think about these words
Is it as simple as it sounds? Well yeah, actually it is. There are a few things you have to do first, but if you’re ready to be honest and ready to change your life, it won’t be hard to achieve. One of the biggest challenges people will face is being willing and capable of opening their minds.
Think about this for a moment. Since the day you were born, you’ve been taught whatever it is everyone around you believes. From your parents, to your friends, and even your teachers. Whatever environment you’ve grown up in has also had a hand in shaping you as a person. And then of course, society forces itself into your thoughts, behaviors and choices as well.
Have you ever thought about what YOU believe? Do you know what it is that you believe? After you consider those questions, then consider this: do you know and understand WHY you believe what you do? Is it because you actually feel this way about things, or because it’s been both consciously and subconsciously forced on you over the course of your entire life?
We are surrounded by and constantly subjected to nothing but negativity, false narratives, and to be honest, complete bullshit. How is anyone supposed to be content, or even know what it means to be content, when all we’re fed are lies about what’s supposed to make us happy? Society feeds us its own convenient story line, one we open our mouths to and swallow every day. It tells us what we should be buying, wearing, eating, watching, believing, thinking, doing… and on, and on.
Shift the power
Don’t take my word for it, think about it. Do your own research as well. This is why I’m sharing this with you – not to force yet another opinion or perspective on you, but to get you to think for yourselves. This plays a huge role in learning how to stop taking life so seriously. When you start thinking for yourself, you start living your life for yourself. You start to become the one in control. Once you shift the power, the entire game changes.
How can anyone who feels oppressed, or is constantly told how they should live their life, be happy? A part of contentedness is feeling at peace with yourself and with your life. If you are told over and over your thoughts and feelings are wrong, invalid, or unimportant, or you’re being told what to think, there’s no way you could possibly escape anxiety and depression.
If you watch or follow the news at all, pay attention. The majority of ‘news’ is negative, misleading, unnecessary, and used as a tactic to instil fear. I refuse to watch the news, because the only thing I get out of it is stress and further anxiety. And I choose not to add that to my life.
We were all born to be free spirits, but unfortunately we were born into a world where freedom is only an illusion. But your life can still be what you want it to be; all you have to do is choose it. When you realize this, it makes it much easier to stop taking life so seriously. That doesn’t mean everything will magically be ok, and you’ll suddenly be fine.
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What it can mean when you learn to stop taking life so seriously, is instead of reacting to everything that happens with anger, fear or negativity you choose to think before you react. Focus on things that make you laugh, that make you feel good. Surround yourself with positivity, and shut out as much of the negative as you can.
Listen to your inner self
Stop believing everything you hear and everything you’re told, even from your own mind. Take the time to figure out what you feel is right. Listen to your inner self instead. Seek out the good in the world, instead of anticipating the bad. Find your own truths, trust yourself, and go with what your gut tells you. Feed your soul positive thoughts and vibes, and carry those with you everywhere you go.
You have more power than you could ever imagine, and I am learning this more and more every single day. It’s an amazing feeling once you realize how much control you actually have!
It takes time and effort to understand some of this. And yes, some of it is easier said than done. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Utilize the tools you have available to help you. Meditate, practice mindfulness and positive affirmations. Dig deep and find your motivation and determination, and you will succeed.
So remember to smile, laugh, and be who you were always meant to be, you. Let the little things go. Just do your thing, stop taking life so seriously, and enjoy the little things in life. It’s too short to waste our time being unhappy and living our lives by someone else’s rules and ideals.
“Don’t take life or yourself too seriously. Take some time to enjoy the beauty around you. Smile. Be silly. Laugh with friends. Share a kindness. Show love. Don’t worry so much. Don’t be so hard on yourself, and don’t over analyze. Let go a bit. Live in your life.”
― Akiroq Brost
~ Jess
Reproduced with permission, originally posted on jessisamess.com
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