Living for Today

“Work-life balance.” I’m sure you have heard of this phrase before. It simply expresses the importance of drawing a line between working and the rest of your life. However, this term only struck me as meaningful recently, when I started re-evaluating my priorities. 

As a student in middle school and high school, academics took up my whole life. If I was not physically at school, I was either studying, doing homework, or thinking about school. It did not help that I was a very introverted person who did not hang out with my friends very often outside of school hours. When I look back, those were my most miserable days. I felt an overwhelming pressure to do well and get good grades, since that was the main purpose of my life. At a young age, thoughts of post-secondary options and anxieties about the never-ending loop my days were in plagued my mind. I felt like I was trapped in a system where everyone follows a set formula for life. But when I grew up a little more, I was further exposed to the world, and saw a glimpse of just how many options I had. I realized that everyone lives life at their own pace, and growing up was much more than just the work-based world that I had grown up fearing. 

One of the most important things I learned as I reflected these past few years is that happiness is a journey, not a destination. I worked so hard for years with the mindset that one day, I will achieve happiness and success when it all paid off. But what I failed to remember is that every day was a part of my life. I looked so far forward into the future that I forgot that happiness was right in front of me in the present. I could have found it in friendships, family, and all the little hobbies that I picked up. I could have even found it in the shining sun or the fluffiness of clouds. My point here is to say: live in the moment. Days, months, and years pass you by so quickly, and before you know it, you are looking back and finding that your past was filled with hollow cycles that feel like time wasted. You will always live with stress, and you have your whole life ahead of you to worry and work, but your youth only happens once. 

Whether you are a hardworking student or someone who cares less about grades, happiness exists in your life. Having fun and working hard are not opposite lifestyles; it is important to remember to enjoy yourself while you work towards your future and dreams. Choose to participate in things you want to do. Make time to hang out with and make friends. Find hobbies through exploration of different activities. Practice having a positive mindset on life and school, for one’s mindset makes the biggest difference in their life. There isn’t any big secret or formula for you to feel good. 

Lastly, remember this: you deserve to be happy right now. Do not let yourself get caught up in the mindset that once you improve yourself, someday in the future, then you can enjoy life. Do not wait for happiness, find it where you are.