Important Questions To Ask Yourself
How I'm Currently Navigating Through Life's Challenges & How You Can Too
Background: I just turned 25 this past Wednesday and had an overwhelming feeling of melancholy. I went to work, and I recently got a promotion to become a behavior technician. It's ideal because it's right where I want to be, as I am studying psychology at university. I'm doing quite well for myself overall. I have health, I have a loving family, I have decent work, and I have a direction in which I am going in the form of school. I don't believe I am experiencing the popular 'quarter life crisis', but I am experiencing something. But why I asked myself? I turned to the most actionable resources I have, my books.
Crisis Management: I think everyone has moments in life where they have deep moments of reflection where they evaluate their life. Some may be upset about their career, their financial situations, and the life choices they have made. None of this is unique to man, as Marcus Aurelius so eloquently put it: 'There is nothing new: all things are both familiar and short-lived.' Me, I used this moment of reflection to see if what I was currently doing was what I wanted. It's important, to be honest with yourself and not lie to yourself because your feel you're too deep in & can't start over. Upon asking myself the following questions I was able to regroup and continue on this odyssey.
Am I doing work that is benefiting others?
Do I have enough free time when I'm not working to do other things I enjoy?
Does my work make me feel like I have a purpose in this world?
If ten-year-old me saw the path I was on, would he be happy?
If I were to die today and meet my maker would I be happy with the life I led?
Conclusion: These types of questions might seem dramatic, however, there's nothing more important for you than doing what you truly want to do. These questions don't have to be your questions, these are simply the ones that align with my current beliefs, goals, and stage in life. The questions a single 25-year-old in school asks himself are different than that of the 35-year-old father with a family to support, or the 18-year-old trying to figure out what their first steps outside of high school are. As long as you are honest with yourself, and ask yourself the important questions, then you're on your way to where you're supposed to be. Some books that helped me in this process included:
The Alchemist
Meditations
When Breath Becomes Air
The Midnight Library
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