Society's Promises

Lately, I've often felt lucky. But I make sure to correct myself. It is not luck when it is the result of my choices. Life choices. Some of which have come easily. Some of which have been difficult. But all of which entailed compromises. It would be too easy to call it luck.

So instead, lately, I've felt rather quite positive. Amidst a world crisis. Amongst people living one of the worst years of their lives. Struggling for different reasons. Often reasons that do not appear to exist in my own life. But always reasons I can empathize with. Scenarios I can imagine almost too easily. Like I've come so close, so many times, to making those choices too.

Some worry about their kids. I do not have kids.

Some worry about a mortgage. I don't have that either.

Some realize they might not like the place they chose to live. Whereas, I've chosen so many places out of love. For the scenery. The vibes. The communities. And whenever that love has faded, I have moved on.

Some worry about what the future holds. I've learned to embrace the possibilities that come along such uncertainty.

Some discover, with so much time in their hands, that they don't like who they are. Or they simply don't know who they are. That learning is an endless journey I am glad I have started some time ago.

Some worry they might not get to live their big dreams, or travel to that one place at the top of their list. I've started on my dream list years ago. And although it is never ending, I feel quite satisfied with my progress.

Today, it dawned on me... Society and all of its promises of safety and security, has turned its back on its people. For years, we've been forced to learn that following the rules, walking the safe path, was the way to success.

Go to school, get a job, keep your job, get married, buy a house, have 1.5 kids, and you will live happily ever after. Prioritize your job and you will gain financial security, the key to happiness. Buy newer, shinier, faster things. They will make you more successful, a better person. Or at least give you the illusion of it. If you're lucky, you will retire and then you will see it was all worth it. If you are not ill, bored or lonely.

But plot twist. Close the schools, close businesses. Now what? Spend time at home with your partner, your family, realize you don't love them that much. Now what? Stare at the stuff you own, stare at yourself in the mirror, at what you've become. Realize you don't even love yourself either. Now what?

Is this the promised land? Is this what everyone has worked so hard for? Obeying the rules. Believing with their whole hearts that they were doing it right. That they were successful. That they had things figured out.

Today, navigating this whole mess with everyone else, I wonder... Could it be that the deeper one is involved in society standards, the harder the last few months have been? Could it be that the further away one is to those standards, the more they've actually figured out?

People living on boats, unaffected by closed borders.

People living off-grid, self-sufficient, and unfazed.

People working flexible hours, already experts at balancing work and personal life.

People who have chosen passion over security, keeping depression well at bay.

People who have made decisions out of love and not out of fear, still living their best lives.

I think of each positive aspect in my life now. I realize the more detached from the society standards a part of my life is, the more positive it feels.

I do not feel the need to question any decisions I've made recently. I do not feel the need to suddenly check in with my values or take a good look at myself. I do that regularly already. Everything is how it's meant to be. I am where I'm supposed to be.

Whether it's luck or not, one thing is certain... 2020 has so far only made me grow more eager to get away from those empty promises.