Every year, when it seems that winter’s expiration is far overdue, I’ve noticed that I develop an extreme case of whatthef*ckamidoingimsouseless-itis, and it tends to be a common trend. It usually lasts a few weeks and it freaks out most of my friends and family.
After talking with a few close friends, I notice that every one of us — no matter age or social status — seems to fall down this slope — frustrated with our lives and even more so, ourselves. The bottomless pit in our stomachs forces us to feel alone and unsuccessful, but why is this?
And, let’s not even mention the casseroles. Now that we’ve gained 15 lbs and have slept for the past several months, the laze has finally caught up with us. This is a time when we reflect on ourselves by measuring where we were last year, our appearances, our careers and our inner selves. It's not a bad idea to reflect on your life, but when you're this obsessive, it becomes problematic. I guess it's time to enroll at my local gym so that I can pretend to use my membership.
We then question ourselves in three million ways (though it’s possible that I’ve just read one too many self-affirmation books).
Unfortunately, our desires for instant gratification hit us a few weeks after we notice changes in our bodies or our lives too late… and so, the depression begins.
Egocentric
To the core, we’re so egocentric that nothing is ever satisfying enough, no matter how good we may have "it," “it” will never be sufficient. Generations ago, we were satisfied with being good but not the best. We weren’t ripping ourselves apart with the extra time on our hands by asking self-depleting questions like as “how can I do more, have more and be more?” Unfortunately, with all of the advanced technology and other possessions we own, we’ve become self-serving. In other words, we aren’t working for a common goal, but instead, we work to achieve more for ourselves.
The American Dream is no longer a midsize family home with a few children playing in the front yard; it’s about being the Alpha with shiniest, fastest and best possessions possible. I mean, as materialistic as I think I am not... I wouldn't mind a nice cherry red Ferrari in my driveway — and I know I'm not the only one who feels this way.
The Solution
It’s vital that this time of year, you find things that keep you occupied and connected — from going out on a hike every few days or singing karaoke. You need to find simple ways to gratify yourself. Do NOT sit around over-analyzing every part of your life because it will only worsen your situation. Sometimes, the best solution to a problem is not looking for an answer at all.
The root of all this frustration is the constant seeking of answers to ALL of the questions on our self-controlled timeline. If there's one thing we can learn from generations past, it’s that happiness is recognized from life in between the answers, not the other way around. By constantly searching for answers and happiness, we miss what’s right in front of us, which is a little thing called life. Try enjoying it and not over-analyzing so much.
