“Stop dreaming?
People who say that are blaspheming.
They’re doing nine to five and moaning,
And they don’t want you succeeding when they’ve blown it
And your idols – who are they?-
They too dreamt about their day.
Positive steps will see your goals.”
– The Streets
It is easy, in our online era, to feel and fear that life is passing you by. That everyone else is having more fun than you, doing more than you.
Perhaps it is true. (In which case you need to get mad and make stuff happen).
But it is probably not true. People post a lot of nonsense online. And they definitely shout louder when showing off about the good bits of their life. People are less eager to update their Facebook status with updates about how boring, mediocre and disappointing their lives are. I’mll hold my hands up as being guilty of this. I seem to spend half my time worrying that the best days of my life are behind me whilst simultaneously posting cheerful pictures of seaside sunrises on Instagram.
Cities hum with energy. Life is fast, busy, noisy. Ideas bloom and burst forth into action. There’s always somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody who can help, who can inspire, motivate and facilitate. Opportunities abound, to do big things, to make your life extraordinary, to rule the world, to be the best, to become a legend.
Or maybe not.
Cities hum with energy. Life is fast, busy, noisy. Ideas bloom and burst forth into action all around you, but not for you. There’s always somebody else who seems to know somebody and thus get the breaks that you do not. Opportunities abound, to do big things, to make your life extraordinary, to rule the world, to be the best, to become a legend. But they never seem to fall for you. Sometimes it feels like that, right?
So, a few suggestions when you’re next feeling glum:
- Don’t compare your own life to other people’s, and DEFINITELY not to the online representations of their lives. The most interesting people I know do not even have a Facebook or Twitter page. The empty tin rattles loudest.
- Do not focus on all you have not yet done in life. Instead be grateful and thrilled by what you HAVE done. Look back on your greatest achievements and reflect on their improbability. Most people who have ever lived have not done the things you do. You are unique, you have done cool stuff that so few people on earth have done. Life is, by and large, a wonderful thing.
- It’s way more important to achieve things you are proud of than to be recognised for those accomplishments. Don’t get the recognition /achievement balance the wrong way round.
- “All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you…” – Gandalf
“All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you…” – Gandalf
— Alastair Humphreys (@Al_Humphreys) February 5, 2013
Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi there Alastair, you came to Abbey School today. I have a question. Did you ever say the wrong type of language in the wrong country? I really liked your talk. Thanks
Hi Freddie,
I’m glad you liked the talk. Thank you.
I tried my best to learn bits of language in every country along the way – enough to be polite and to get by.
“I seem to spend half my time worrying that the best days of my life are behind me whilst simultaneously posting cheerful pictures of seaside sunrises on Instagram.”
Are you kidding me? I didn’t feel like I was even getting started until I was 40 – and by then I already had 13 years of marriage, 20 years of work and a divorce behind me! Now I’m 50 and life just keeps getting better! Your best years are ahead of you Alastair!
Tony, I feel the same way! I’m 40 in a few weeks time and I feel way more optimistic and excited about what life has to offer, and have more confidence to grab it than I did 20 years ago!
Ironically this new lease on life has been sparked and facilitated by the great people I’ve met and friendships I’ve made online.
Oops, forgot to click the box to notify me of follow up comments ;).
That’s good to hear!
Was shown this page yesterday after a very trying day on teaching practice. Then, after an equally difficult morning, you turned up in our assembly this afternoon. Thanks for putting it all into perspective!
Excellent! Though what I do is FAR easier than being a teacher!
Cheers Al, an edifying and timely post.