My life, one foot in front of the other, very often
My Life.
An article of philosophical content for your attention. Thought provoking article I would even say. Life is life and there are many things that can be misunderstood.
To see important ads, turn off your ad blocker! Article continued below:Just keep moving towards the future I long for, to see my plans become reality, to imagine the safety of thinking I could stop. But that road had come to a dead end, and I felt what I wanted, my life rushing past me.
My life, list.
All around us are ideas of the “right” timeline on which to do anything. To graduate college, to find our calling (which better be what we majored in), to get married, to start saving for retirement, to have children.
An ever-expanding list that spans the professional and personal. Then, there’s layered assumptions. That the earlier you choose your path, the more you must have wanted it. That if you really wanted something you would’ve prioritized sooner.
My life, ambition.
I wasn’t alone in the sensation that time and ambition were linked. “The need to maximize time was kind of the original ambition. My life at the intersection of industrial capitalism, where time is money, and the Protestant work ethic, where time is worth.
The larger system we exist in shapes so much of time, as well as how and when different parts of life unfold. When we fall “behind,” it gets positioned as a moral failing when in reality it is personal experiences bumping up against “cultural norms that valorize speed.”
And those so-called norms leave out so many experiences of timelines and ambition.
The Queer time.
The idea that disabled people experience time differently than able-bodied people, as well as labor, noting that “that your worth cannot be determined by the schedule on which you operate.
Queer time, used to describe “ideas outside of heterotemporality,” offers different means of moving through time and life events than those ascribed to stereotypical “adult” milestones.
In fact, achieving so-called markers of adulthood has always been somewhat tied to circumstances like economic standing.
Fixation on certain timelines often skim over how many people move though time differently, or are impacted by systemic crises, offering individual achievement as a solution to structural failings.
The idea that we’re running behind unless we’re always running toward the next best thing and our next best self doesn’t just bypass the million ways our time is shaped and spent. It limits our ambition.
We discover new things, people, and places we love. We meet new versions of ourselves, who often come with new needs or new goals.
Without pausing to notice when one track is gone and a new one appears, we lose out. We miss opportunities to celebrate milestones or accomplishments that might not fit a social script of achievement but are significant to us.
We miss sitting with ourselves when we fall apart, the urge to patch over grief or heartbreak or feeling lost with more churning forward. We miss–I was missing–this, the right now. The only moment we’re ever guaranteed.
My life, into the margins.
Time is a guideline that can help us coordinate behavior, or provide some direction. However, when we use it as a context-free standard by which to judge our worth or well-being, it pushes our very lives.
The unexpected grief and growth, joy, and loss that it means to be human—into the margins.That choosing to step forward when the future is smudged and uncertain was choosing a different kind of ambition. It’s not a race I’m running, trying to catch up to where I thought I’d end up.
My life, ambitions how to curb or improve it.
Here are a few suggestions.
Identify your most important goals and prioritize them. Focus your energy and resources on achieving those goals rather than pursuing too many things at once.
Set realistic goals.
While it’s good to dream big, setting unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and disappointment.
Make sure your ambitions are achievable within a reasonable timeframe. Break them down into smaller, manageable steps that you can work on consistently.
My life, practice self-reflection.
Take the time to reflect on your ambitions and assess whether they align with your values and true passions.
Sometimes, we may pursue goals driven by external expectations or societal pressure. Aligning your ambitions with your core values will give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Find balance.
Make time for activities that bring you joy and help you relax. Engage in hobbies, spend time with loved ones, and take care of your physical and mental well-being.
Balancing your ambitions with self-care will help prevent burnout and improve overall satisfaction. Recognize and celebrate your achievements along the way. Acknowledging your progress and accomplishments will boost your motivation and provide a sense of fulfillment.
It will also remind you that your ambitions are within reach and worth pursuing.
My life, seek support and feedback.
Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, mentors, or colleagues who can provide guidance and constructive feedback.
They can help you stay grounded, offer valuable insights, and keep you accountable on your journey. Remember, ambition itself is not a negative trait. It’s about finding the right balance and ensuring your ambitions are aligned with your personal growth and well-being.
Maija.
All the best my friend!
