“Work and the pursuit of success can be isolating.” – Thomas Joiner, PhD in MensHealth magazine March 2014
When I first read that quote, it struck me as if it were a prerequisite. That one must be willing to accept isolation as a price for success, as a singular requirement if you’re going to do what others won’t. And of course, reap the reward.
What reward? I’m not buying it.
I even saw a movie on cable over the weekend where boy meets girl. But girl says, “I’m sorry, I’m married to my work.” (He was pursuing his dream too. However, he was willing to participate in life along the way).
We use the excuse of adult life to explain why we let go of so many things that were once important to us. Do you remember what summer was like before adulthood? That was living.
We have fewer friends as we grow older and spend less time with the ones we have.
Sometimes it seems like it could be easier to get into an elite college than it is to make plans with friends. I have some like that (Yeah, I know what you’re thinking).
But, what can we do about it? After all, everyone is busy these days.
Well… actually, no they’re not.
It may seem like it, but not everyone is so busy they don’t have time for a real life.
It’s easy to rationalize because we have more responsibilities now that we’re older. It’s just not the same anymore, is it? There’s family, career, a mortgage, car payments, school, kids’ sports and a gazillion other things some force in the ether is making us do.
“I just have to get to ‘x’ then I can back off and enjoy life.” There’s a busyness mantra for ya.
Why not back off now? Throttle down… add a little margin between all the pursuing, doing, wanting and going.
Everything is a choice when you come right down to it. Making a choice “not to” is as much an option as making a choice to keep cramming more things in. Give yourself permission to choose not to.
Disclosure: Here’s a side note about the quote I opened with. I intentionally included the date even though it wasn’t necessary. It’s just an indicator of how long ago I started collecting ideas for posts for LifeUntucked. I was crazy busy back then… too busy to actually write something.
But, I’m not any longer. And I’m grateful for that.
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I just wanted to point out the photo is by Jason Zook of JasonDoesStuff.com and The Action Army. I’m a big fan and consider him a virtual mentor. I thought it was so cool when I found one of his photos for my blog. I didn’t even know he’s an awesome photographer too. If you haven’t discovered Jason yet, be sure to check it out!