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- Letting go of the Rat Race for Good (Two-part Series).
Letting go of the Rat Race for Good (Two-part Series).
Part 1: Understanding the Rat Race and When It's Time for Change
Dear online family,
It’s been a few months since I last wrote to you! In that time, I backpacked from Colombia to Guatemala and landed in Mexico for a few months. I’ve had a *serious* digital detox, swam with whale sharks and now, I’ve shifted the purpose of this newsletter.
‘Struggle to Simplicity’ is an exploration of the challenges we encounter in the chaos of modern life. Plus, how we overcome those challenges on our paths to simplicity and freedom.
I highly appreciate anyone who reads, comments and supports this newsletter in our collective pursuit of a simpler and more joyful life.
How often do you think about quitting the rat race?
Take a moment to reflect on what's been running through your mind lately.
When I worked in corporate London- ALL I could think about was getting out.
My mind and body vehemently rebelled against the monotonous routine of the daily grind. Sandwiched between meetings, I’d have multiple tabs open on my laptop of my plans to escape. I used to daydream relentlessly about the possibility of grabbing a backpack and embarking on a journey to enjoy more freedom.
Yet… I didn't anticipate that even after achieving that dream and travelling the world long-term, I could STILL find myself grappling with burnout.
If you’re reading this article, I guess you’re familiar with that burnt-out feeling, and you might resonate with some of these statements:
You’ve felt drained, lacking the energy or motivation to accomplish your daily tasks.
You've been researching new career paths, in search of that elusive spark again.
You are thinking of quitting your job and going solo / starting your own thing.
The rat race has left you yearning for adventure, making you contemplate travelling or relocating abroad and starting completely afresh.
We’re coming to the end of 2023… If you are dissatisfied and contemplating any of these options, I say go for it! I’ve stood at those crossroads many times before and know that taking a leap of faith is the scariest part. But it’s a decision you won’t regret.
However, while it’s one thing leaving the rat race behind. It’s another to unlearn the societal habits ingrained deep within our psyche.
I learned brutally this year that untangling the engraved conditioning of the rat race is another art to master.
Cue Bob Marley: “Ohhh what a rat race…”
The Rat Race, The Grind, The Matrix- Urgh, banish it…
“The problem with the rat race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat”
Lily Tomlin
The term 'rat race' describes the daily, competitive routine of modern life, often in a corporate context. It signifies the relentless pursuit of success, often at the cost of personal well-being and happiness."- ChatGPT
In May, I realised that I’d entered a whole new rat race. The world of personal branding and content creation had captured me in its grasp. With countless platforms inundated by posts, courses, eBooks, discovery calls, and a myriad of digital products, my mind felt something like my social media feed. A messy stream of information that was telling me I needed to get better at X in order to be Y.
As full-time employees or solopreneurs, we tend to follow the so-called 'leaders' or those who have achieved financial success in our fields, believing they can guide us to similar success. But, while attempting to ‘keep up’ with the creators bagging 1000s of likes for simple posts on LinkedIn, I fell into a downward spiral when the numbers did not match my efforts…
…The rat race reminds you that you have something to keep up with.
…That no matter where you are, you are either ‘too much’ or not ‘quite’ enough.
…It's a mindset that runs far deeper than any definition can encapsulate.
Rat-racing thoughts…
“What’s the point? No one is reading your work anyway”- My mind quietly questioned.
A seemingly minor thought that sounds harmless. But it sent me into a sea of self-doubt earlier this year. Wondering not only what’s the point of the writing, but what is the point of any of this(?!)
The questions circled my mind as I lay there, scrolling, liking, and commenting on various platforms. Once again, I had hundreds of tabs open, but this time I was lounging in hostels with beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea. Feeling numb…
The whole thing was unnatural, and the absurdity of it all struck me: even after you’ve left the rat race, the pressure to chase, achieve, and meet societal expectations is deeply ingrained and damaging to our minds, bodies, and souls.
The rat race sucks the joy out of today, in the hope that you will find solace tomorrow.
When is enough enough?
After 2.5 years of living a life of travel and freedom, I know now that pursuing a simpler way of life means that balance and creativity go hand in hand. Yet the rat race offers neither of these.
Breaking free from the burnout cycle isn't a one-time thing; it's a continuous journey of self-discovery and growth. It starts with recognising the absurdity of what the rat race is, and realising that your value is not found in chasing success.
Followed by a brave choice to rewrite your life's story.
But how can we TRULY let go of societal norms that perpetually leave us exhausted and unsatisfied? In part 2 of this series, we’ll dive deeper into the practice of letting go of the rat race for good.
People are beginning to see that there’s another path besides just sleeping, eating, going to work, and having a couple of hours each night to devote to friends, family, and maybe a hobby. It's time for us to redefine our paths and carve out lifestyles aligned with our personal and collective well-being
Stay tuned… And welcome back!
This is a free post. If you would like to support my writing and journey, maybe you would consider buying me a coffee. For more info about my work and services, I have recently redesigned my website.
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