Have you ever experienced a sense of emptiness after achieving your dream? Yet, you continue to yearn, for an end goal that seems so distant. This feeling often leads to the realization that life may lack inherent meaning.
From our early years, external factors mold our goals. As children, parental guidance shaped our dreams. As students, the educational system dictates our aspirations. And as young professionals, we are driven by the ambitions of a successful career. We strive to meet the societal expectations already set for us. But then, the grip that society has on us loosens, leaving us behind without direction.
We begin to question the values we’ve formed and the goals we have chased all along. When answers fail to surface, we find ourselves trapped in a life of routines. This can lead to apathy, disengagement, and a sense of boredom and dissatisfaction. The activities that once brought us joy now feel devoid of meaning. We may seek refuge in pleasures, material possessions, of external validations. Yet, these comforts offer only temporary relief before the emptiness inevitably returns.
This newfound freedom to choose our own paths also carries a heavy burden. We become responsible for the choices we make. The fear of making the wrong decisions can breed anxiety, and the sheer number of choices available can feel overwhelming. We might struggle with doubt, indecision, and the dread of consequences. This anxiety is worsen by the weight of societal expectations.
We’ve talked about finding meaning before. Here, we explore an option to cope with the anxiety about freedom.
We start with resisting the urge to make impulsive decisions driven by fear or anxiety. Instead, we make choices guided by reason, weighing the options and considering their consequences. The following framework can serve as a starter.
- Prioritize the issue at hand to ensure that we’re spending our time and energy on what truly matters to us.
- Clarify the problem, gather the relevant information, and identify the root cause. We should be making informed choices rather than reacting blindly to circumstances.
- Brainstorm solutions and evaluate each solution on their feasibility, impact, and alignment with our values.
- Create a clear and actionable plan.
We are all fallible beings wandering in this world without direction. We have to embrace the possibility of failures. Whether this plan succeeds or not, it’s an opportunity for learning and growth. We ought to reflect on the choices we’ve made and their consequences to prepare ourselves for the future.