Why It's Ok Not To Want It All
We live in a world where we're constantly bombarded with messages about how we just have to have XYZ. And if we don't have them then our lives couldn't possibly be happy or complete. And for some people, they do want to seemingly have it all [whatever that is] and that's awesome. But some just want a select few things in life and are completely happy with that. However, if you're the latter, then you're often made to feel bad and get asked 'why don't you want more?'. And that question is what sparked the idea for today's post.
YOU'RE ALLOWED TO BE HAPPY NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU HAVE
The outside pressure of having it all to be happy in life is utter rubbish but it's something that can easily get to all of us. We're constantly bombarded with the latest thing that we if we buy that or go on this trip then we will instantly become content. And if you don't have or want those things then you can't possibly be as happy as you could be. Putting so much pressure on people to have a set amount of things to be happy or accepted is something that needs to stop. Life is complicated and messy and sometimes even just getting through the day to day can be a battle. Happiness isn't something that comes from how many possessions you have, trips you've taken or even how many likes you got on Instagram that day. These are all things that can, of course, add to your happiness but shouldn't be the basis for it.
WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT?
Whenever I find myself worrying about what I might or might not have I always have to take a step back and ask myself the question of what do I really want? And when it's not the same things that my friends or society want it can be terrifying to admit. Living for yourself by your own rules and standards is one of the most important things we can do for our own happiness.
YOU'RE NOT WORTHLESS FOR NOT WANTING IT ALL
Striving for what society would consider an 'average life' isn't something that's encouraged especially in the online world. Whilst I think it's wonderful that we're trying to create an environment full of encouraging slogans it can become exhausting. For some people, all they want is the ability to pay their bills and have a few simple pleasures in life and that's it. Not owning their own business, owning their own house by the time their 21 or earning thousands of pounds a month. But if you say you want what would be considered an 'average life' then it's often greeted with a look of 'why would you ever want just that'? It seems common practice just to judge someone on how much they're striving for or how much they've already done and not on who they are as a person. When that's what should matter the most because everything else is tangible.
THINGS TO REMIND YOURSELF WHEN THE DOUBT STARTS CREEPING IN
Doubt and worry can get to us all and when it does it can make us feel pretty rubbish so here are some of my favourite things to remind myself when it comes to having it all;
- Never compare your life to someone else's glossy edit online.
- Career isn't everything.
- Personal achievements shouldn't be overlooked.
- Trust yourself, your intuition and your capability to make decisions.
- Run your own race and run it at your own pace.
- There is no such thing as having it all.
- Live for yourself not for the approval of society.
- We're all a constant work in progress.
- Just doing the day to day is an achievement for be proud of.
- You're allowed to want what you want. Not what everyone else wants.
What are your thoughts on having it all?
R x
Check out: Madolyn Thinks
