Finally, 2021 is here. A new year signifies a new beginning with new experiences and new challenges. But to grow and flourish in this year, it is important for us to look back at the one foregone and learn from it.
2020 was a difficult year for everyone around the globe. We went through so much together; the challenges, trauma, struggles, and losses. A sense of being lost. A sense of vain and emptiness. But for some, this year turned out to be a blessing since it allowed them to work on themselves, find their hidden talents or work towards bettering their mental health.
It made me wonder, why did it take us a PANDEMIC to work on such important issues?
We humans have been working endlessly to achieve something called “success”. Everything and everyone in this world is driven by this one thing. Now mind you, it is subjective, that is, its definition is different for each one of us. Success drives and motivates us to work to achieve our goals. It’s like a dose of accomplishment we strive to get after the completion of our goals. But if 7 billion people are going to work like machines day and night to “make it” they will eventually end up exhausting their mental capacity.
We are overwhelmed, overburdened, overstressed. This constant pull to reach the top has crumpled the virtues of empathy, kindness, and love amongst ourselves. Rather than uplifting our friends, we end up despising their success and become bitter. What we are projecting is a feeling of unworthiness. I know several people who only criticize others because they feel they themselves failed at the same task. It’s that friend who says ‘Arree influencer Banega?’, ‘This business has no path only you’re wasting your time, ‘Tujhse Nahi ho payega’.
We all know at least one person who constantly tries to pull you down. Back to my point, going behind success ruins our mental health. When we see others outshine us, we are filled with guilt and hatred. We carry this all the time. Now I’m not saying success is bad. But it can be if your definition of success is flawed.
People associate success in terms of fame, money, and power. But I believe the key ingredient to the definition of success should be contentment.
Think about it. Think a little harder. Why does one want all of these things? To be happy right? But on the road to success, we end up depressed, anxiety ridden, and full of self-loathing. I go through it all the time. This constant comparison, constant need to better oneself or be better than others. I don’t get the time to “halt”. Sometimes I wish to stop because my mind and body get overly exhausted with the immutable pressure I put them through. The ‘hustle’ takes a toll on my mental health till the point I end up questioning my existence. And for what?
The road to success is long. And sometimes you need to rest. If you can’t make twenty minutes daily for yourself to spend with yourself then that success is going to swallow you.
So, take it slow. Step by step. You are allowed to take breaks. You shouldn’t take up commitments that you know you can’t fulfill. And failures are okay too. As long as you’re stable and happy in the process.
Author – Srishti Guleria, Illustrated by – Priyanka Madan
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