Embrace the Joy of Missing Out and Live Slowly
Why materialistic possessions and desires are the metrics to measure mental success like peace, happiness, and contentment?
“I’m 20 years old now, and I haven’t achieved anything yet…” My student said over a Whatsapp chat during one of our usual one-on-one sessions.
“So what? You have a lot of time. You can still do anything you want to do.” — I replied.
“No there’s no time! Nowadays teenagers are making more than I am making at this point. At this age, some are already settled in their careers, studying their dream courses, earning a lot online and using the latest gadgets.
But look at me! Still struggling to get into the University. Earning online is not even working for me. I have tried almost everything but all seem to be an impossible dream for me.
She sent a sad and teary emoji and went offline but my mind stayed on the same topic.
And it got me thinking…
Who decided on this definition of success? Why do you have to use others’ definition of success to show the world that you’re successful?
Why materialistic possessions and desires are the metrics to measure mental success like peace, happiness, and contentment?
I’ve seen countless people in my surrounding struggling to prove that they’re making good money and living a good life. When will people understand — you don’t need to use people’sthe acts to validate your happiness?
And I don’t want you to do this mistake. Because I care for you and I genuinely wish you a beautiful life with an abundance of happiness so you can enjoy the life you wish and dream of. But not at the expense of limited and super precious time you have.
And how can you do this?
Kick-off FOMO and Embrace JOMO!
In short, stop living in the fear of missing out and start living in the joy of missing out.
You must have heard this right? — Change your perspective to change your life.
That’s what we are going to do now!
Embrace the joy of missing out and consciously choose to focus on what brings you actual joy.
Instead of letting society define the definition of your success, happiness, and contentment; you create your definition of success, happiness, and contentment.
How?
Let me tell you how!
1. Prioritize Your Time
Your only priority should be savouring and saving your time. Because your time is non-refillable, non-refundable, and non-returnable. So spend it, use it, and invest it wisely.
Do things that truly make you happy. There’s no time to waste doing things that don’t give you happiness. Remember, your ultimate purpose in this life is to be HAPPY! And if you’re not by any means, you’re just wasting this golden ticket a.k.a life.
2. Define Your Own Success
Forget what society tells you. Nobody is thinking about you. Everybody’s busy thinking about what you’re thinking about them. Just like you’re busy thinking about what people will think about you. Break free from this cycle.
Don’t seek out external validation. Instead, seek internal satisfaction. Choose your success. Fulfil your dreams. Find your inner peace. Love passionately. Live purposefully. Die peacefully.
3. Limit Social Media Consumption
I’m an active user of social media platforms. But trust me when I say this, social media is a rabbit hole.
Once you fall into it, there’s no way back. You’re gonna be fighting with self-doubt, jealousy, procrastination, laziness, and imposter syndrome for the rest of your life. Until and unless you’re smart enough to find the way out. So set the boundaries before it’s too late.
I’m not saying quit being on social media. But quit doubting your abilities, comparing your life with others, drooling over others’ success, and wasting your precious time fuel.
4. Practice Gratitude
This simple practice has turned out to be the most life-changing one for me. As a Muslim, Every morning when I wake up, I express my gratitude for one thing.
Every night when I wake up, I recall one best thing happened during the day and express my gratitude for it. The best way to bookend your day. Start with a happy note and end it with contentment.
Have a journal where you document your moments. For example,
Yesterday when I woke up and saw the growth of my readers, I expressed my gratitude to God for giving me beautiful readers who looked forward to my newsletter daily.
And when I went to bed to sleep, I recalled my day and realized the best thing that happened that day was someone telling me how much my writings have impacted her. I smiled and expressed my gratitude to God for giving me such a beautiful moment to live and impact.
You don’t need big achievements or a big friend circle to be happy.
If you look around yourself, you’ll find infinite things you can be grateful for. As simple as getting food to eat. Because there are people in some parts of the world who are not even fortunate enough to have a glass of clean water to drink.
So while reaching for the stars, don’t forget to take a moment to embrace the beauty of a flower blossoming on the ground at your feet.
5. Be Present and Mindful
There’s a proverb — While drinking tea, drink tea. It simply means, be present. Whatever you’re doing, engage fully. Everything matters. And so be conscious and mindful with each activity. Romanticize little things. And you’ll fall in love with life!
6. Learn to Say No
It’s okay to say no! Stop making it a huge deal. If you don’t want to do something or don’t want to go somewhere, just say so. Stop finding excuses to save your face. Instead, be bold and say the truth.
“I don’t want to go to share your flyer because I am not comfortable with it.” That’s it! You don’t have to make yourself look bad over your sanity. Stop with the excuses. It’s ok to say no! It’s your life!!
7. Focus on Your Well-Being
Prioritize yourself! Stop treating yourself as a side character in your own movie. It’s your movie and you are the hero here. But are you living like a main character? Don’t say yes, if you’re not making your mental, physical, and emotional health your priority.
Make time for yourself. Take care of yourself. Pamper yourself. Love yourself. Because you deserve it. And if you don’t, why others will? Remember, people treat you the way you treat yourself.
In the end, leaving you with this poor wordplay.
Kick-off FOMO and embrace JOMO!