So have you been binge eating your favorite food and binge watching your favorite show while curled up on your couch under a thick bundle of blankets? Things have been very cozy and it wouldn’t be wrong to say that nothing really loves you like your comfort zone. Or is it the other way around?
The bubble that envelops you is hard to let go… but perhaps it’s time to pop that bubble and move on. Before you shoot me down with your glares, hear me out.
Bleak Days Of De-motivation
A few years ago, I was totally out of luck. Broke, single and unemployed. I was living with my parents and feeling incredibly ashamed and unmotivated. While I wanted to go out there and conquer the world, my childhood room and homemade food would not set me free. My parents even gave me ‘pocket money’.
As I was living in my hometown, I frequently saw old faces. I would hear about the achievements of my high school classmates that would range from getting engaged to getting a high paying job in a very reputable company. Things were bleak for me, and they did not get any brighter until a few months later. One such bleak day, I was having my free breakfast when my dad suddenly asked me to move out. I was shocked by his bluntness. After two weeks of tantrums, resentments and tears, I finally moved out and got a job. It was a push that I badly needed, and even though I hated him then, I am glad my dad kicked me out.
Crack the Box, Stretch a Bit
It’s really easy to forget that we are all creative in our own way and, unless we decide to never test our own selves, it won’t be hard to prove it.
Question Yourself
Take a little time and ask yourself what you would like to do. What are you capable of doing? Where do you expect to be in next five years? How do you want others to see you? Do you even really care about what others think? Obviously, you won’t have all the answers at the end of the day, but these thought provoking questions can eventually fire you up and get you started.
Not All of Us Have a ‘Dream’
Dream job, dream car, dream house, dream spouse… It’s nice to have dreams. They motivate you and even push you out of your bubble. However, not all of us have a specific dream. After I graduated I realized that I had been fooling myself. Throughout the four years of college, I kept telling myself that ‘it is my dream career’ and my friend and I would have long talks about our bright future, successful careers, sun kissed days and rainbows. Little did I know that I had zero interest in the field I had chosen.
Find Your Motivation
It was disappointing at first. I had the degree and I was clueless what to do with it. There was no rush of adrenaline. But so what? I know that there is nothing I ‘really’ want to do right now, and it‘s alright.
Your job does not always have to be fulfilling and amazing, and you can’t always like your boss and hours. I have to make an honest living and I like money. As long as you are doing honest work, there is nothing wrong with being motivated by money until something greater reveals itself.
If It’s Not Money, Then What Is It?
For some of us, money does not matter. That is actually quite awesome! I am sure that there is at least one thing a person really, really likes to do. List out your options. Whether it’s traveling, dancing, gardening or running a pet shop, spark up your creativity and make something out of it.
Turn Your Dreams Into Goals
While I don’t have a single HUGE dream I would like to work on, I have plenty of ideas. From running an online clothing store to selling books for one dollar apiece, new ideas keep coming in. I have done nothing about them… yet.
Don’t forget dreams or ideas are nothing but thoughts unless you decide to do something about them. Keep working on them on a daily basis. Have you ever played that game called The Sims? (Google it) When you tell your Sims to do something, they do it. Try this out in your real life. Want to bake a cake? Do it. Want to get fit? Do it. Want to ask a boy/girl out? Do it. What’s stopping you anyway? Laziness and fear – cut them out of your life gradually.
Discuss It With Your Loved Ones
Talk to your friends and family when you are not sure about what to do. Our friends are often going through the phase as we are, and with a little brainstorming, inspiration might just hit the both of you.
Parents can be annoying with their ‘do this and do that’, but the truth is they are more experienced than us. Their help won’t be ideal in all cases, but if you have a good relationship with your parents then it won’t hurt to talk to them.
Learn To Face Challenges And Keep Calm through Trials
Your boss might hate you, and you might hate your boss. Your colleagues will be annoying. You will make a mistake. You will be yelled at. You will get fired or laid off. Not very ideal scenarios, but these things happen. They are a part of life and they should never be the reason for you to jump back in your little box. Hold your head up and tell yourself that life is a bed of roses with thorns. Who knows, perhaps your new boss will be super cool!
Life Is Indifferent
Life is indifferent, but that does not mean your goals and dreams are pointless. It only goes to show that a setback should not dishearten you, and a big achievement should not make you overconfident. If you stop worrying about the future and focus on making your day to day life better, life will be way more enjoyable.
Now stop crunching on the chips, switch off the TV, leave the couch and find your motivation. Go!