The Best Advice I Never Took (On the beauty of a 'mundane' life lived with purpose)

One of the greatest things in life is friends who love you so much they want all the best for you. They push you, support your dreams and plan life with you.

Let me tell you a story about a friend, who didn’t understand the life I was building.

My friend kept on telling me I’m missing out because I’m a stay-at-home wife. She says I should have a career. She wants me to build a backup, just in case.

And I appreciate her concern for me. It would be wise if I had a backup. Just in case.

However, that wasn’t what I wanted for my life. While I do want to be a successful author someday, I do not want to climb the corporate ladder.

What she doesn’t understand is that the quiet mornings with my matcha latte, the hours of uninterrupted silence to write, and the peace of owning my own time — this was what I was building. I built this life brick by brick. Every decision I made is so that I can have this specific life. I purposefully chose this life and I am so happy with it.

Sometimes, people who love us don’t understand our decisions and they sometimes try to push their dreams on to us. This could be a friend, a relative, or more often than not, our parents.

Not out of malice, but because they think what’s best for them is what’s best for you. It could be because they are living vicariously through us. Or it could be because they subscribe to society’s expectations, and think you should, too.

It’s important that you take a stand for the life you are building. Not many will understand, and that’s okay. This is especially true if you have been purposeful with your life choices.

And if someone whose life you do not want to emulate, comments on your life and tries to provide you feedback or criticism, please know you do not have to accept it.

You know what you want.

Not everyone wants to be doctors and engineers. Some want to be artists, writers, and dreamers. And that’s valid too.

If you are happy and content with your life, don’t let society dictate what your life should look like.

One of the things I learned early is that you have to know your “why”. This will keep you grounded. This is where you go back to when you’re confused.

Imagine your desired daily life. What do you want your life to look like? Why?

You have to be truthful to yourself, and make sure your answer wasn’t influenced by your partner, your friends, nor your parents. It has to be from the deepest part of you. It has to be what would make your heart swell with happiness simply by living it.

When you have your answer, and you were truthful to yourself, you’ll be able to create a life that is so fulfilling, no matter how mundane it is.

The next step is to make sure every decision revolves around your “why”. Your decision’s results have to make sense for your goals.

To be a successful author, I have to have time to write. If I went into the corporate world, I wouldn’t have that. Hence, my decision to stay at home makes sense for my goals.

Your life is your OWN masterpiece. Don’t let someone else hold the brush just because they think they know which colors you should use. Build your “why”, stay grounded in it, and the rest will fall into place.

And now, I ask you… If you stripped away everyone else’s expectations, what does your “why” look like?

I’d love to hear about the life you’re building.