Have you ever heard the phrase "life is too short to be anything but happy?"
Recently that has become a bit of a controversial thing to say, because it seems not to acknowledge that many of the circumstances that contribute to our emotional wellbeing are out of our control. Folks who struggle financially and have to work two jobs simply don't have time to do the things that make them happy. People with mental illnesses like depression are often unable to be happy even when they "should" be.
But I'm here to propose an alternate interpretation of the phrase in question. I have noticed that a great deal of my own unhappiness is caused by trying to conform to what others expect certain life experiences to be like. No more! I am done trying to fit into the labeled boxes of the different things I enjoy. Here's what I mean:
If you love to read, you do not owe the "literary crowd" an explanation for the types of books you enjoy. It's ok to love classic novels, and it's ok to love Twilight. Read what makes you happy.
If you love a few songs you've heard by a particular band and you want to go to their concert, go. You don't owe their "real fans" an explanation as to why you don't own every album. Listen to what makes you happy.
If you like watching football but don't keep up with the stats of every (or any) team, you don't owe the jock crowd an explanation. Watch (or play) what makes you happy.
If you love hiking but you also love dresses, go hiking in a dress. You don't have to dress a certain way to do what makes you happy.
If you're a feminist who chooses to be a stay-at-home mom, you don't owe the working crowd an explanation. Feminism (and life) should be about empowering women to do what makes them happy.
If you got interested in comics after seeing some of the blockbuster super hero movies, you don't owe the "nerds" an explanation as to why you don't fit into their particular mold. Go getcha some comics.
If you're perfectly happy working a low-paying, dead-end job because it allows you the time to pursue your interests, stay with that job. Don't feel like your life has to satisfy a certain master plan.
If you are a 34 year old who loves catching virtual Pokémon, don't let anyone tell you you're "too old." If you are a 19 year old who wants to get married, don't let anyone tell you you're "too young."
The bottom line is this: stop letting your experiences be dictated by people who don't matter in your life. Stop doing things because you feel confined to some arbitrary road map. You do you, and the happiness is sure to follow!
Recently that has become a bit of a controversial thing to say, because it seems not to acknowledge that many of the circumstances that contribute to our emotional wellbeing are out of our control. Folks who struggle financially and have to work two jobs simply don't have time to do the things that make them happy. People with mental illnesses like depression are often unable to be happy even when they "should" be.
But I'm here to propose an alternate interpretation of the phrase in question. I have noticed that a great deal of my own unhappiness is caused by trying to conform to what others expect certain life experiences to be like. No more! I am done trying to fit into the labeled boxes of the different things I enjoy. Here's what I mean:
If you love to read, you do not owe the "literary crowd" an explanation for the types of books you enjoy. It's ok to love classic novels, and it's ok to love Twilight. Read what makes you happy.
If you love a few songs you've heard by a particular band and you want to go to their concert, go. You don't owe their "real fans" an explanation as to why you don't own every album. Listen to what makes you happy.
If you like watching football but don't keep up with the stats of every (or any) team, you don't owe the jock crowd an explanation. Watch (or play) what makes you happy.
If you love hiking but you also love dresses, go hiking in a dress. You don't have to dress a certain way to do what makes you happy.
If you're a feminist who chooses to be a stay-at-home mom, you don't owe the working crowd an explanation. Feminism (and life) should be about empowering women to do what makes them happy.
If you got interested in comics after seeing some of the blockbuster super hero movies, you don't owe the "nerds" an explanation as to why you don't fit into their particular mold. Go getcha some comics.
If you're perfectly happy working a low-paying, dead-end job because it allows you the time to pursue your interests, stay with that job. Don't feel like your life has to satisfy a certain master plan.
If you are a 34 year old who loves catching virtual Pokémon, don't let anyone tell you you're "too old." If you are a 19 year old who wants to get married, don't let anyone tell you you're "too young."
The bottom line is this: stop letting your experiences be dictated by people who don't matter in your life. Stop doing things because you feel confined to some arbitrary road map. You do you, and the happiness is sure to follow!
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