Why I Choose To Live A "Boring" Life at 25

Summary

The speaker reflects on societal pressures and expectations from their late teens, leading to anxiety about career and materialism. Moving abroad for new perspectives, they discovered the importance of living in the present moment, embracing a simple and slow lifestyle, and valuing personal happiness over societal norms. This realization brought peace and contentment, emphasizing the subjective nature of fun and the beauty in simple activities.

Takeaways

• 😔 The speaker feels disappointed with their life at 25, believing they are wasting their potential.
• 🌐 There is a societal pressure in Western countries to follow a specific path of productivity and economic contribution.
• 🤔 The speaker was unsure of their values and what they wanted to do, leading to anxiety about making life decisions.
• 🌟 At 20, the speaker realized societal standards were causing anxiety and decided to move abroad to find new perspectives.
• 🌱 The realization that the present moment is all we have helped alleviate social pressure and stress.
• 🏡 Embracing a simple and slow lifestyle focused on what truly matters, like family, friends, and hobbies, brought happiness.
• 🙅‍♂️ Learning to say no to unnecessary things and protecting personal energy and values is crucial.
• 🏃‍♀️ Finding joy in simple activities like running, cleaning, and even sewing reflects a shift in what brings fulfillment.
• 🏡 A desire to live in a cabin or a simple space away from the noise of modern life is expressed.
• 🌿 The speaker no longer seeks fame but values a peaceful and simple life, despite occasional doubts and anxieties.
• 💤 Ending the day with a peaceful mind and heart is what truly matters, signifying contentment with the chosen lifestyle.

Q & A

How does the speaker feel about their life at 25 compared to their younger self's expectations?

The speaker feels that their younger self would be disappointed, thinking they are wasting their life and potential, as they have not followed the societal norms they felt pressured to follow in their late teens.

What societal pressures did the speaker feel during their late teens?

The speaker felt the pressure to conform to society's norms, such as being productive daily, working hard to climb the corporate ladder, and using savings to support the economy.

Why did the speaker decide to move abroad at the age of 20?

The speaker decided to move abroad to find new perspectives in life and escape the societal standards that were causing them anxiety, as they needed space to understand themselves and their values better.

What realization did the speaker come to while living abroad?

The speaker realized that the present moment is all they have and that they should focus on what they can do now, rather than being influenced by past or future concerns.

How did the realization about the present moment impact the speaker's life?

This realization brought the speaker peace, allowing them to let go of social pressure and stress, and to understand that they are already happy with their current life situation.

What lifestyle changes did the speaker adopt after realizing the importance of the present moment?

The speaker adopted a simple and slow lifestyle, focusing on things that truly matter to them, such as spending time with friends and family, and pursuing hobbies and passions like studying languages.

How has the speaker's perspective on material possessions changed after their realization?

The speaker no longer feels the need to acquire material possessions like a house, car, or a large number of friends, as they have found happiness and fulfillment in a simpler lifestyle.

What does the speaker mean when they say 'fun is subjective'?

The speaker means that what one person finds enjoyable may not be the same for another, and they have found joy in activities that others, including their past self, might find boring.

How does the speaker view their current lifestyle compared to their teenage years?

The speaker views their current lifestyle as peaceful and fulfilling, contrasting with their teenage years when they aspired to be famous and accomplished in a more conventional sense.

What is the speaker's attitude towards their life choices and the simple life they lead?

The speaker embraces their life choices and the simple life they lead, finding peace and contentment in it, despite occasional doubts and anxieties.

What is the speaker's advice for those who might be feeling similar pressures as they once did?

The speaker suggests finding one's own values, focusing on the present moment, and embracing a simple lifestyle that prioritizes what truly matters to the individual.