Looking sideways
If there is something I wish on everyone? I wish everyone believes in their hopes and dreams
Often times, we feel exhausted, tired, drained and overwhelmed. The root cause of these feelings is trying to keep up with the expectations put on us. They could be put on us by either ourselves and others or both. A failure to match this elusive image of 'perfection' drives this feeling of exhaustion. Our way of living stigmatizes people who cannot keep up or who, simply slow down due to their continuous struggles.
We are all social animals (I have heard this phrase more times than my memory can recall). We all look for belonging. However, if we dare even resemble 'slowing down' in this fast-paced world, it will be made absolutely clear to us that we can't keep up and we will be isolated. I know the inquisitive of you who read me, will be thinking keeping up with what? My answer is, exactly. We don't even know what we are keeping up with. We just know that slowing down is a no-no.
The focus of today's man is quite like the horse who runs tracks. Singular and without any peripheral vision. Even in the human ability for vision, we can choose whether or not to focus on the periphery i.e. the sidelines of the field of vision. Rushing towards a rigid target without regard for what is happening sideways. We lose the complete picture our senses provide us with. Looking sideways means to focus on things that perhaps escape our attention in day to day life.
Often times we get so exhausted with our singular focus that we detach ourselves from what is happening around us. Now, this is not to say that having focus is a bad thing, this is to say having the same focus for a long time on a goal can and more often than not, exhaust us. The consequences of getting exhausted or feeling mentally fatigued can be dire. Serious things start to occur in our body and minds. Our mood directly influences our brain chemistry, our physiology and our overall homeostasis for the worse. Our immunity goes down, blood pressure drops, vision blurs, our bodies ache and mind hurts.
We might lose sight of our life and the joyful experience it can be, because our mood is drained. I am referring not a singular disorder or condition, but to plethora of domino-like after effects that follow. For some this might result in loss of all hope, people with depressive tendencies move a step closer to feeling worse, anxious people might start to lose control by worrying, etc. Life loses joy and it becomes a hopeless venture to many.
Looking sideways means to reflect on how far one has come. It refers to taking a breather. Being kind and compassionate to oneself as one would to someone they love. It is truly important to be kind to ourselves. Let ourselves know that at the end of the day, the life, however elusive and confusing, is still ours. We were born because the universe conspired to do so.
A healthy amount of exhaustion is fine and I believe a change in focus can help it. Looking sideways can help it. It worked for me. Death of Sushant Singh Rajput has given rise to a wave. A wave of people reconsidering and changing their views of what is truly important to them, or at least, talking about it. Usually my blog is rooted in technicality and psych lingo, but the one today is just an honest reflection. If you feel exhausted, I pray that you consider looking sideways.
R.I.P to Sushant and so many more like him, who suffered in silence. In hope, that we all can be a little more kind to each other and, most importantly, ourselves.
Anand