Society bombards us with expectations from a young age, and by the time we hit middle age, we start feeling overwhelmed. If we don’t have a spotless home, a high-powered career and the perfect family, we could start to feel as if we’ve failed at life. Not to mention that your youthful looks start to fade, and you realize that expensive eye cream hasn’t kept the wrinkles away. What if the key to a happier life isn’t about having and achieving more, but about questioning these expectations entirely? A simple and happy life needs to be defined on your own terms, and not society’s.
What if your idea of success and happiness is being able to pick up your kids from school and spending time with them? We’re often happier when we prioritize experiences over possessions.
We’re told we have to retire at 65, but maybe you’d rather work part-time for longer or take mini-retirements throughout your life. There’s no one-size-fits all. Lateral moves or even stepping back from your job for a while can sometimes lead to greater satisfaction. Your worth isn't measured by your job title or salary, and you don’t have to be available 24/7. Work-life integration, or where your career fits into your life, not the other way around, might serve you better than the elusive work-life balance.
How many events have you attended this year because you felt you had to go? If a gathering doesn't bring you joy, connection, or serve a meaningful purpose, you have permission to decline.Let go of keeping up with your friends, family or even the neighbours. Their new car, renovation, or vacation has nothing to do with your happiness. Unfollow social media accounts that trigger comparison, and make you feel depressed. You don't need to see your college roommate's highlight reel if it makes you question your own choices.Create boundaries with toxic family expectations too. Just because "family always does Christmas this way" doesn't mean you can't create new traditions that work better for you.
It’s important to take care of your body in a way that honors its actual needs. You don’t have to get up at 5 a.m. to meditate or to go jogging, because an article on social media told you so. Rest when you need it without feeling guilty. Embrace aging naturally if that feels right to you. Create routines that energize rather than deplete you. Maybe you want to swim or do gardening as part of your self-care, rather than meditation and yoga. Or, you’d rather read a fantasy novel rather than the latest self-help bestseller. Trust yourself to know what you need.
Living an authentic and simple life isn't about following a new set of rules, it’s about writing your own. Start by questioning just one societal expectation today. Trust your intuition rather than everyone else’s advice. Your life doesn't need to look like anyone else's to be successful. Ultimately, only you can define what it will mean for you to lead a good life. Which expectations are you going to challenge first?
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