I have always followed the rules in life. Not the actual rules, but the ones that say get good grades, work hard, go to college, get the job, get promoted - and so forth. And you know where those riles got me? It got me injured, it got me stuck in horrific job environments, it got me challenging horrible bosses and quitting.
It got me sitting here at 36 wondering what was the point?
So I’m breaking the rules now.
I’m not searching for the next level. I’m searching for the next happy.
I’m saying yes to the last minute flights to Europe. I’m saying no to the really high paying offer that would make me miserable and force me to go back to working 24/7. I’m sitting on the couch and catching up on reality TV while I eat chips. And I’m setting boundaries at work instead of volunteering to stay up for 2 days straight to execute the perfect event.
I have decided that the rules are stupid and I’m tired of seeing people do less to get more.
So I’m creating my own rules.
Rule number one - live the life that makes me the happiest. That’s the priority.
Focus less on doing the most to achieve arbitrary milestones that I don’t think I ever cared about and spend more time on the things that spark joy.
If you’re like me and you’re been following the rules set forth when you were a wee sequin, take some time to step back and re-evaluate if those rules still apply.
Most often times you will find they do not.
So break them. And create your own rules for living. Starting with “be truly happy” at number one.
You got this.