Adulting is hard but you can make it bearable

Go to bed early, meditate, wake up early, eat good food, spend time with family, have multiple sources of income in case of uncertainties, upgrade your skills to get that promotion, find time for your hobbies and ……. the list goes on!

We buy books but can’t find time to read.

We invest in OTT subscriptions, intending to watch a movie, only to be distracted by work or life responsibilities.

We book vacations, seeking respite, only to be interrupted by urgent calls from our boss, demanding data or insights.

We are constantly sprinting towards a better life only to find that we lack the time to enjoy it.

While scrolling through LinkedIn, a post caught my eye and made me ponder that we rush to acquire constant sources of entertainment and work tirelessly day and night to fund them, only to find ourselves lacking the time to enjoy what we’ve earned.

However, when it comes to enjoy them we do not have time for it.

So what do we do?

Should we give up on our dreams for growth or better life for ourselves or our family ? Should be abandon our ambition?

What if we do not have the option to slow down?

Should I give up on the ability to afford that medical facility, dream college for ourselves, or a chance to provide better education for our children?

Probably No.

Not everyone wants to give up everything and put the monk hat on or live a minimalistic life or may be you want to but you have responsibilities that you cannot.

Everyone’s journey is different but there is one thing that is common.

Adulting is hard for everyone

The constant rush to secure a living, chase promotions, launch businesses, and simultaneously find time for hobbies, family, and self-improvement is undeniably challenging. The expectations of maintaining physical and mental health while keeping up with market and industry trends are a formidable feat.

However, there’s a solution that doesn’t require us to hit the brakes entirely but encourages us to adopt a slower, more intentional pace when possible.

For instance, if the thought of reading an entire book looks daunting, consider dedicating time to read a single chapter and reflect on it or may be talk about it with friends and family.

When it comes to entertainment, opt for shorter, immersive experiences. Instead of binge-watching an entire season, watch a single episode without distractions. Listen to your favorite song for a brief 3 to 5 minutes, immersing yourself entirely in the music.

Appreciating the little moments within your hectic life can make a significant difference. You don’t have to hit the pause button on your ambitions; instead, practice mindfulness and minimize distractions “when” possible.

I used to listen to podcasts or audiobooks while doing chores as I could not find time otherwise.

But then, it used to feel like I am always catching up on something. And there are things which would be left always.

So, some days, I consciously choose to slow down. I immerse myself in the process of cooking, enjoying the meal or my favourite movie or tv show without any background activity. I savor the satisfaction of talking to my friends and family, spending alone time with myself. I relish at least one meal without distractions, and I indulge in reading a book for at least 15 minutes, free from worry.

While everything is not possible always. Its not black and white but I try to do one small thing every single day to live more mindfully and enjoy my day. As this part of life will not come again!

You don’t have to give up on your dreams or ambitions or responsibilities but you can try to enjoy the everyday moments and cherish the beautiful journey called Life!

I would love to hear your views and thoughts in comments! How do you find time to savor small moments?

Shruti

Here is the LinkedIn post I mentioned about.

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