Note 036
There I was again…
Listening to another YouTube video.
At this point, YouTube and reality television have become my unofficial life coaches.
This woman creates content about confidence, careers, and relationships, and she said something that immediately made me pause the video.
She said:
“You’re too young. Get off the phone.”
And I thought…
Whew.
That applies to more than just young people.
It applies to all of us.
Because if we’re honest, social media has a way of making us feel like we’re behind.
Like we’re not doing enough.
Not making enough.
Not saving enough.
Not traveling enough.
Not parenting right.
Not dressing right.
Not decorating our homes right.
Not aging right.
Not eating the right foods.
Not living in the right neighborhood.
Not taking the right vacations.
And before you know it, you’re sitting on your couch, perfectly content one minute, and five minutes later you’re questioning your entire life.
All because you looked at someone else’s highlight reel.
And here’s the thing I’ve noticed:
Social media has a way of quietly convincing people that there is one correct way to live.
One correct morning routine.
One correct body.
One correct style.
One correct career path.
One correct house.
One correct way to raise children.
One correct way to age.
And that’s simply not true.
There are billions of people in this world.
Billions.
Why would we all be meant to live the exact same life?
One of the things I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older is this:
You cannot live someone else’s life.
You can admire it.
Learn from it.
Be inspired by it.
But you cannot copy and paste someone else’s life onto your own and expect it to bring you peace.
Because eventually you’ll realize you’re chasing something that was never yours to begin with.
And that chase?
It’s exhausting.
Always looking.
Always comparing.
Always wondering if you’re enough.
Always feeling behind.
No wonder anxiety and stress are so common.
We’re carrying around tiny devices that allow us to compare our everyday lives to thousands of people in a matter of minutes.
That wasn’t always the case.
There was a time when you knew your neighbors, family members, a few coworkers, and maybe some friends.
Now?
You can compare yourself to a woman in California, a family in New York, an entrepreneur in Texas, and an influencer in another country before breakfast.
That’s a lot for a mind to process.
And maybe that’s why I’ve become such a believer in taking breaks.
Putting the phone down.
Going outside.
Reading.
Cooking.
Walking.
Sitting quietly.
Thinking your own thoughts.
Because one thing social media cannot do is tell you what happiness looks like for you.
Only you can decide that.
Maybe happiness is a beautiful home.
Maybe it’s a small apartment and peace of mind.
Maybe it’s marriage.
Maybe it’s travel.
Maybe it’s a garden.
Maybe it’s books.
Maybe it’s raising children.
Maybe it’s building a business.
Maybe it’s slow mornings and coffee in your favorite mug.
The point is…
It has to be your version.
Not someone else’s.
So yes…
Get off the phone every once in a while.
Not forever.
Just long enough to hear yourself think.
Long enough to remember what you like.
What you want.
What you enjoy.
Because if you spend all your time consuming other people’s lives, you may never fully build your own.
And that, my friends, is the note I wanted to leave with you today.
A Note for Today
The more time you spend comparing your life to someone else’s, the less time you spend enjoying your own.
A Little Something to Think About…
When was the last time you sat quietly without scrolling, watching, listening, or consuming anything?
Could you hear your own thoughts?
Could you remember what you actually want?
Maybe the answer isn’t more information.
Maybe the answer is a little more silence.
Until the next note,
Your Resident Overthinker