Part pride, part information indigestion… my relationship with society often weighs me down. I imagine what my life would be like now if I had never stopped to hear what the issues were about. If I had somehow managed to be blissfully ignorant and unaware. Or maybe, if I had never taken that government job that was so doused in politics and worry.
I try to see those parts of my past as necessary steps in my evolution. But I can’t help but feel a bit cheated by it all. I know my creativity has suffered immensely through over-analyzing things I have absolutely no control over.
So, I’m letting go. I’m coming to terms with how little control I have over what happens in the world. Which is, seemingly paradoxically, giving me more control over my own life. Each day, I’m surrendering more deeply to the present moment. And some days it dawns on me just how often this strategy works.
It’s a Marathon Not a Sprint
My days are getting “slower”, but I’m getting more done. The more I surrender the less I need to escape my life. There’s joy in the simple things, like washing the dishes or cleaning the house.
Sometimes the fear of missing out creeps in. What if I miss the next big thing on the internet? Or miss that Black Friday deal? If I’m lucky, there’s a little voice that says “who cares?” and I get to avoid being stuck on my phone for an hour and ruining the flow of my day.
Knowing that the real joy of life is always right in front of me is slowly ending the escapist behavior that has gotten in the way of my creativity. I still get caught up some days, but more and more I find myself in the bliss of creating and doing.
Changing Our Worldview Is the Key to Overcoming Escapism
What if the world isn’t as bad as the news and the internet often portray it to be? What if the world is a beautiful place? And what if our own lives have much greater possibility and opportunity in them than we believe?
I think those realizations are what I’m coming to. And it’s not a matter of sticking my head in the sand and hoping for the best. It’s a part of growing up. And realizing what many people think is “staying connected”–and performing their civic duty–is just more escapism.
~ As ever,
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