Living in the moment sounds a bit cliché and saying it sounds cliché might sound a bit cliché, but it’s something that I’m terrible at so I’m going to write about it.
Every Friday night I sit alone in my room attempting to manifest a 4.0 GPA, but instead, I’m met with the overwhelming urge to party. I’ll see people posting on social media and I’ll hear people on the streets playing music, laughing and having a good time while I’m wallowing in loneliness, thinking why am I over here and not over there? This need to unleash one’s inner party animal is also known as FOMO or Fear of Missing Out. This is defined by Urban Dictionary as being “a compulsive concern that one might miss an opportunity or satisfying event, often aroused by posts seen on social media websites.” Because of FOMO, I rarely get any schoolwork done. Instead, I’m too busy feeling sad about myself solely because some strangers on the street are having fun without me, which is completely absurd when you think about it. It’s so important to remember that YOU are the main character. By focusing only on what other people are doing, you’re shifting your narrative onto them, causing you to become the side character in your own movie. Always remember that you’re the star, and you shouldn’t let anybody get in your way of that.
The other day I went to William’s Cafe and I got an egg, bacon, spinach and avocado bagel. Instantly after I ordered it, I realized that there was an egg, TOMATO, spinach and avocado bagel. I was shocked, bewildered and flabbergasted. I was contemplating for the next four hours; did I make a huge mistake? Did I do something that I’m going to regret? Is this going to shift my entire life’s path? Tomato is a healthier, more refreshing option and I was feeling very conflicted. Although this is a bit of a silly example, it applies to many other situations, such as choosing which university to go to, deciding to move to a different city, changing your career path and so much more. There are many ways in which our choices can leave us debating whether we made the right decision. Instead of dwelling on the past and on what could have been, we can accept the outcome and make the most out of it by adopting a more positive mindset. Live your life to the fullest with no regrets.
To end off, I’m going to offer you some obtusely cheesy quote to inspire you to live a beautiful, happy and fulfilling life. The absolute legend, my best friend and my hero, Winnie the Pooh, said it best: “Yesterday is a history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.”