The Weight We Carry

Unknowingly, we accumulate burdens each day. In our youth, we start with an empty backpack, filling it with dreams, joy, and playful experiences. We envision future adventures and academic success, all while enjoying the simplicity of childhood.

As we mature, however, we begin to overload our backpacks with ambitions, comparisons, and lofty goals. Each day, we add more weight—yesterday's aspiration of becoming a writer morphs into an even more demanding checklist filled with fitness goals and household duties.

For me, it became a daunting list: excel as a graduate, discover my passion, renovate my home, care for my pet, and enhance my productivity. The sheer volume of these expectations became crippling.

So, I urge you to be mindful of what you’re placing in your metaphorical backpack.

The Fallout of Expectations

Overwhelming expectations can consume you. You may find yourself fixated on what you should achieve rather than actually pursuing those goals. Life slips by as you spend excessive time worrying instead of acting.

Yet, there's hope. My past passivity has now motivated me to take action. I show up every day—most days—because I’ve experienced the paralysis that comes with unrealistic expectations.

Dancing Between Social Media

One of the best choices I ever made was deleting my Instagram account. I recall the moment vividly; my screen time had skyrocketed while my happiness plummeted, prompting me to take that leap.

Now, I’m contemplating a similar move with LinkedIn. Often, it leaves me feeling inadequate as I scroll through countless job updates from seemingly more accomplished peers, dragging down my motivation.

The key is to shift your focus inward. Part of developing self-awareness is recognizing what genuinely brings you joy.

Embracing Minimalism in Productivity

You don’t need to engage with every platform. Identify one or two that resonate with you and commit to them. This principle of minimalism extends to your productivity as well. To simplify, you must first understand yourself; otherwise, you might find yourself feeling disheartened.

However, there is a liberating feeling that comes from focusing on a few key activities, especially when you’re confident in your self-knowledge.

Self-Awareness Through Reflection

I once believed that being a recent graduate meant conforming to certain behaviors. The corporate environment often stifles individuality, leading us to think we must adopt jargon and team management roles to be successful.

But it’s essential to ensure that your actions align with your true self, rather than simply following the crowd.

Listening to Your Inner Voice

It's crucial to heed that inner voice. Is it guiding you toward the right path, or is it indicating a misalignment with your true self? Frustration and discomfort often signal that you're straying from your authentic identity.

This realization pushed me to make a transformative career shift—from management to specialization.