FOMO. Revenge consumption. Survival mode. Quiet quitting. Languishing. These are terms given to describe the emotions or behavior of most of us at one point or another. It’s acceptable; we’re human beings, after all. The trouble begins when we start using them to justify the unproductive things we do.
When we start chasing every shiny object and say, “I have FOMO, I can’t help it.” When we’re exhausted because we’ve let circumstances and situations fling us around like cows in a tornado in a Hollywood flick. When we do the bare minimum at work just to get by, spend the rest of our time binging on Netflix, and blame bad bosses for our state.
These terms make us comfortable knowing there are more like us out there, but they do nothing to get us out of the rut we’re stuck in. If anything, we get sucked into the quicksand of unhappiness even further.
It’s okay to feel stuck or down, but don’t stay there. Be aware of your feelings and bounce back. Focus on terms that can make you a little better every day. Like “lifestyle redesign,” “flow,” “value creation,” “habit-building,” and “morning routines.” You are in control of your perceptions, actions, and willpower. Don’t relinquish it to others. Be a lion, not a dog.
Your story will only be worth reading if you write it.