Have we, as a society, created too much pressure for professional success?
For generations, children have been taught to become “something” that grants them social acceptance and recognition.
This has led everyone into a never-ending cycle of trying to meet or exceed society’s standards of being successful or “settled.”
We push for higher marks, high-paying jobs, owning a home, being socially active, and likable, and keeping every relationship happy.
But if someone doesn’t achieve these, does it make them any less human?
Who decides the criteria for greatness or mediocrity, and are these standards universally applicable? The answer is no.
Consider the achievements of someone who rose from poverty to wealth versus a millionaire’s child who built a billion-dollar empire. We might assume the former had more struggles, but ask that billionaire industrialist, and they might disagree. It’s all about individual experiences.
We often seek validation from others to feel like we belong, but the truth is, that the greatest validation we’ve received is from the universe itself.
Our existence has intrinsic value, and each of us is here for a greater purpose that we should focus on discovering and fulfilling.
Spending time trying to please others and checking off societal boxes only drags us into sadness and depression.
We are all uniquely designed individuals with distinct retinas, fingerprints, and breaths that cannot be shared.
What a waste of our existential value if we try to be like others and end up the same.
This is a devaluation and betrayal of ourselves. We must be mindful to live our own lives and focus on finding our true purpose.
