Don’t Be Afraid To Follow Your Own Path

I know how it feels to do something different in life, something that is not considered to be ’the norm’. I didn’t go straight to university after high school; instead, I started to work as a full-time model, which allowed me to travel the world and learn about myself.

Because I have chosen a different path, I am often asked, ”When are young going to study?” or ”When are you going to get a real job?” Which brings up a question within me: What is real?

It seems that “real” is defined as something which is socially acceptable—for example, a doctor, a lawyer, a banker etc. By the way, I think these are all great professions and I respect them all, but these are not the only real professions.

If you’re doing something slightly different than the social norm, people can look at you with a critical eye.

We often look at people and their lives based on our personal experience and what is familiar to us. However, every person is unique with different dreams, desires, talents, and life vision. At the same time, we all have similar struggles, fears, and doubts. All of us long for connection, love, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose.

For example, a person in a well-established job may ask themselves if it is the right job for them. They may fear the future as well as someone who just quit their job to travel the world. At the end of the day, we are all humans and we all fear the unknown.

This is a reminder that we all know just a little about someone else’s life. So, we should be more sensitive to how we label, judge, or criticize people based on their life situations.

The way that we perceive things isn’t necessarily true. Instead of judging someone, we can practice seeing the world through their eyes, be more gentle and more compassionate.

Oftentimes our life decisions are based on financial security. Indeed it’s true, money gives you freedom in many ways, it can make life easier and more comfortable. In the end, money can’t buy you happiness.

So, what makes us truly happy?

What I have discovered is that nothing external will ever solve anything that is going on inside. We have to look inward and get in touch with ourselves to find out what we truly want in our life.

When I started to get more into self-development, yoga, and mindfulness, a whole new world opened up for me and I started to become more conscious. I took responsibility for my life and the way that I feel.

One of the things that has helped me is meditation. It makes me feel good and grounded and helps me to work through challenges. It allows me to distance myself from a situation and gain perspective. With perspective, I can ask myself, ”What is the next right move?” and take my next step with awareness.

I have learned to listen and to connect to myself, which has encouraged me to continue to follow my own path.

Of course, I fear the future from time to time, and I do ask myself if this is the right way to go. However, I am trying to replace my fear with trust.

I haven’t figured my life out yet, but I also wonder if there will ever come a time where I can say, “I have this figured out.”

I think life is about experiences that move us from one place to another. These experiences teach us and prepare us for the next thing. There is no destination; the journey is the way.

We have to find the power and strength within to keep on going our own way and do what feels right for us.

When following my own path, here are some questions I like to ask myself: What is the next right move? How do I want to feel and which person do I want to become? If money was no issue, what would I do for free? What brings me joy? How do I want my life to look? When do I feel alive? What do I want to create? What inspires me? When do I feel free, creative, or happy? Do I invest my energy wisely? Are my friends supportive or bringing me down? Do I focus on the negative or positive?

Activities which support me on my path: meditation; yoga; journaling; affirmations; being in nature; spending time alone and reading

My final words that I would love to share with you are simple: Follow your heart and do what makes you happy.