Doing less
I think oftentimes many of us are racing to do more. To accomplish goals. To check things off the list. Because god forbid we end up missing out on an opportunity or make the wrong decision and regret it for the rest of our lives.
I’ve been feeling that pressure lately. To do more. It’s a feeling I haven’t felt in a while, but it’s crept up now that I’m out of school and back in the real world. There’s so many choices I could make, so many paths to choose from. What if I choose the wrong one? Wouldn’t it be better if I did them all? Then I would look back on my life with less regrets, right?
I’ve always been that person with five different back up plans, because I liked keeping my options open. But as I’ve gotten older, I think at some point, choices need to be made. To not choose in itself is a choice, and in doing so you gain nothing at all. Because that time spent doing something, building something, is instead wasted on rumination — the what ifs.
Which leads me to my 2024 word of the year: intention. To do less and focus on cultivating a few things that I know bring me joy, instead of giving into the pressure of doing everything and going everywhere. For me, that means building a life and career that lets me dive deep into topics I’m interested in, learn about the diversity of human experience and make genuine connections. Everything else is secondary.
Honestly, making the choice is sometimes the braver thing. It’s saying that you have confidence in yourself that the choice you make will work out. It’s letting go of dreams or ideas in your past that may have provided you comfort. Sure, I might still have a backup plan or two (what can I say, I’m an overthinker), but no more long lists of disparate plans in case something goes terribly wrong. Just take the leap of faith. Start building. Things will fall into place.
Do you have a focus word for this year? If so, please share!