Are You Living Your Life or Just Racing Through It?

Sometimes, I sit back and wonder, What is life really about? And to be honest, I have no idea. Every day feels like a marathon. Work stress, money stress, future stress—it’s all-consuming. And in trying to juggle everything, I realize I’ve started neglecting the things that truly matter: spending time with loved ones, cherishing small joys, and just living.

Honestly, I feel like I’m just giving life advice here, but the funny part is, I hardly follow it myself. I know these things in theory, but in practice? That’s another story. One of my friends once gave me a piece of advice that stuck with me (even though I forget it most of the time). She told me, “Don’t compare yourself to others. Not everyone has the same situation in life.” It sounded simple when she said it, but it hit me hard.

Comparison is such a sneaky thing. It creeps into your mind without you even realizing it. “He’s earning so much more than me,” “He’s already settled in life, and I’m still figuring things out,” or “Look at how perfect their life is on Instagram.” Sound familiar? I’ve been there. And honestly, it’s exhausting.

Here’s the truth: Everyone’s life is different. The struggles, the challenges, the opportunities—none of it is the same. Yet we all fall into this trap of comparing ourselves, forgetting that we’re all running our own race. And let’s not even start with social media. What we see there is just the highlight reel of someone’s life, not the full picture.

But the problem isn’t just comparison. It’s also forgetting the golden rules of life. You know, the small things that everyone tells us to do:

• Live in the moment.
• Be grateful for what you have.
• Stop worrying about things you can’t control.
• Spend time with the people who matter.

They sound so simple, don’t they? But in the rush of daily life, we forget them. I know I do. And when I realize it, I feel like I’m making my life harder than it needs to be.

The other day, I watched a movie where the hero was obsessed with becoming rich and successful. He thought that was the ultimate goal of life. But as the story unfolded, he realized something important: Life isn’t just about chasing big dreams or earning money. It’s about the small joys—spending time with friends, being with family, and loving the people around you.

That movie made me pause and think about my own life. I’ve been so caught up in the “what’s next” mindset that I forget to enjoy the “what’s now.” But then, it’s not easy, is it? Life is competitive. We need money for the basics—food, shelter, clothes. And in this race to survive, we sometimes lose sight of what it means to live.

In today’s world, distractions are everywhere—starting right from your mobile screen. At your fingertips, you have an endless flow of information, ads, and so-called success gurus asking, “Are you middle-class and want to earn crores?” These billionaires and millionaires, with their shiny lifestyles, often make us feel like failures or dissatisfied with what we have.

But if you take a moment to look at your parents and their lives, you’ll notice something different. Their needs are simple. For them, having two meals a day, a roof over their heads, and their family’s happiness is enough. That’s contentment. Now, I know some of you might argue, “Are you mad? Times were different back then! Life wasn’t as expensive as it is now.” Sure, I agree. Today, we have additional demands—mobiles, grooming, trendy outfits, eating at big-brand restaurants, and maintaining a certain lifestyle.

But here’s the thing—do we really need all of it? Ask yourself how much of what you chase adds genuine happiness to your life? Keeping your needs small and manageable doesn’t mean you stop dreaming big or striving for success. Of course, it’s natural to want to be rich; after all, we work hard and pursue education to earn a better living.

The real question is—Are you happy and satisfied with where you are right now? Because at the end of the day, no amount of money will ever feel “enough” if you’re not at peace with yourself.

Over the past year, ever since I started my professional life, I’ve experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. I’ve learned so much, and it feels like I’ve lived half my life between the ages of 20 and 30. This phase is like a crash course in adulthood—work, relationships, failures, successes, and self-discovery all rolled into one.

I’m writing this blog not to preach or give advice but to remind myself and anyone reading this to take it easy. Life is beautiful, but only if we take a moment to stop and look around.

Yes, we all want to achieve great things. We want to make our mark, create our identity, and fulfill our dreams. But in doing so, we shouldn’t forget to enjoy the journey. Because no matter how much we earn or achieve, what really stays with us are the moments—the laughs with friends, the family dinners, the sunsets, and even the quiet mornings with a cup of tea.

So here’s my takeaway: Stop comparing. Stop stressing about things you can’t control. Start living. I’m not saying this because I’ve figured it all out—I haven’t. In fact, I’m probably the last person to follow my own advice. But I’m trying. I’m on this journey, just like you, learning, falling, and getting back up.

Life isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes overwhelming. But it’s also beautiful, exciting, and full of little surprises. Let’s just promise ourselves one thing: We’ll try to live each moment as it comes, without worrying too much about the future or comparing ourselves to others.

Because at the end of the day, life isn’t about reaching the destination—it’s about enjoying the ride. 😊