Living Without a Dream: The Liberating and Terrifying Experience of Exploring Our Minds
In this article, we will delve into the complex relationship between the mind and our desires. It is not a guidebook or a list of solutions, but rather an introspective journey.
Sometimes, I feel vulnerable because I don’t have a clear dream or goal in life. It’s not something that I’ve experienced before, and it makes me question my own identity. But that’s not to say that I am in complete pain — I have everything I need, except for peace of mind.
Growing up, I have always been an ambitious girl who fought for things and get what I desired deeply, no matter how unreachable they seemed. I come from a typical Indian middle-class family, where the mother is often relegated to the role of a housewife, overlooked and underappreciated by other family members. It used to make me question my mother’s life choices, but now I understand her importance and the crucial role she plays in each family member’s life. In fact, I believe that every mother in the universe who selflessly looks after her family deserves a salute.
But while I admire mothers, I’m not sure that I’m ready to be one. Nevertheless, if fate chooses me for that path, I will accept it. In fact, my mind is often struggling with conflicting thoughts as my life circumstances change. For example, I left my government job to be with my husband in a different country hoping to discover something new for myself, but now his job is relocating us again. It’s difficult for me to put my mind into one place, as I’m always struggling with the thought of doing something productive in the meantime.
Despite these challenges, I believe that exploring our minds and understanding the relationship between our desires and our sense of purpose is an introspective journey worth taking. For now, I am content to explore my mind and understand why living without a dream can be both liberating and terrifying.
It can be a daunting experience. It’s like being lost in a dense forest without a compass, a map, or any sense of direction. You wander aimlessly, not knowing where you’re going or what you’re searching for. It can be a very frustrating and demotivating experience, which often leads to anxiety and depression.
However, there is also a certain freedom that comes with not having a clear goal. I am free to explore, experiment, and discover new things without any preconceived notions or expectations. Trying new hobbies, traveling to new places, meeting new people, and learning new skills. This can be a liberating and exciting experience that can open up new avenues and possibilities that I may have never considered before.
I often turn to hobbies that bring me joy and fulfillment. It could be anything from Baking, and painting to hiking to reading. However, I’ve noticed that hobbies can sometimes be undervalued, especially when they don’t have a tangible outcome or reward. In a society that values productivity and efficiency above all else, it’s easy to dismiss hobbies as a waste of time. Here your mind starts playing games about desires and productivity with plausible career options and you feel trapped in the loop again. But, always remember, they can provide an escape from the stresses of daily life and bring us joy and satisfaction. They can also help us develop new skills, meet new people, and broaden our horizons.
Despite the joys of exploring and discovering, I also acknowledge that living without a clear dream or goal can also be a double-edged sword. It can be difficult to find a sense of fulfillment and motivation without a direction or purpose to work towards. While it can be liberating and exciting to be free to explore, it can also lead to a sense of aimlessness and a lack of purpose. It can also be challenging to stay motivated and focused when you don’t have a clear destination in mind.
It’s important to appreciate and value the things that bring us joy, even if they don’t have a clear purpose or outcome. We should allow ourselves to indulge in our inner callings and embrace the joy they bring us, without feeling guilty or unappreciated. Ultimately, it’s the small moments of joy and happiness that make life worth living, and hobbies are a great way to find those moments.
It’s crucial to find a sense of direction and purpose in life, whether it’s by pursuing our dreams or embracing the freedom of the unknown. In the end, I believe that it’s the journey that matters, and hobbies can be a great way to find joy and happiness along the way.
