What is wrong with your life

Not really a story... I was just reflecting on how many people are unhappy. Maybe this can help someone.

What is wrong with your life?  Why aren’t you happy?  Why don’t you find pleasure in things, the way you used to?  The problem with life for most people is that they do not stay true to themselves.  Think about your dreams and aspirations you used to have and now compare them to what you’re currently doing.  For most people the difference is night and day.  More than likely you’ve succumbed to social and financial pressures and simply lost yourself along the way.  I cannot tell you how many people I’ve come across who hate their job.  When I ask them, “Why don’t you just get a new job?”, I almost always get the same response, they can’t quit, they need this job.  The same goes for people’s family life and living situations.  They’re not happy, this isn’t how they imagined things being.  The truth is no one really needs to stick with a job or living situation they’re not happy with.  You have likely become so accustomed to things that you’re actually afraid to make the necessary adjustments for change.  Uncertainty can be scary, and most people would rather stick it out with a job, relationship, or living situation they hate, rather than abandon ship and try again.  For me personally, I would rather be broke and alone than making good money and stuck in a relationship with someone I don’t see eye to eye with.  At least then I’d have the freedom to pursue anything my heart desired.  Passion is the main driver for most things great in this world, and unfortunately it is also a quality that has become increasingly difficult to find in people. 

If you feel you’re unhappy then you must make significant changes in your life, otherwise things will stay the same, or even get worse over time.  Don’t put it off, this is your life we’re talking about.  Nobody is perfect, but everyone deserves the chance to be happy and healthy in their life.  The hardest part for most people is figuring out why they are unhappy, or what is holding them back from obtaining happiness.  For some, a simple change in career is all that’s needed.  Others may need to deal with emotional baggage they carry around from childhood or past relationships.  Maybe you’re stuck in a toxic relationship or living situation.  You may feel trapped, like there is nothing you can do to get out.  Regardless of what your individual case may be, there is always the possibility for positive change.  It may not be easy or sound ideal at first, but eventually you can get back on the right path and start feeling good about your life again.

The first step I recommend you take in bettering your life would be to write down the main reasons you are unhappy.  Focus on things like your career, school, relationships, family, and how you feel about yourself in general.  Next you should go over these items one-by-one and create a short-term and long-term goals towards a solution.  Some things may require more steps than others, and that’s okay.  If you are unsure how to solve any particular items then you can turn to a trusted friend or family member for advice.  If you don’t feel comfortable talking to anyone about it, then google can be your best friend, as many people give out genuinely great advice on just about anything you can think of.  Once you have created your list of goals, then it’s time to get to work.  You can prioritize them in whatever way works best for you.  Keep in mind that change is difficult and things won’t always go smoothly when you start out.  You are going to have to work hard at some things, and there may even be setbacks.  When this happens, don’t be too hard on yourself, and remember to keep focus on the things you have accomplished instead.  As you start tackling more and more goals you will start feeling better about things, and the light at the end of the tunnel will be more visible than before. 

The amount of time you will need to spend on your list can vary greatly, and I highly recommend coming back to it every so often to make sure you are on track.  You may need to make some revisions down the line, and maybe even add new items as you cross others off.  It will be a work in progress, but keep in mind that you are working on yourself and your own happiness.  All the work you put into yourself will be worth it in the end, and by the time you finish everything you will be living in your new dream life �" the one you thought was unlikely or impossible back when you first started.