What’s Actually Important in Life? You Tell Me…

Hello my lovely blog readers. As many of you know, I wrote a post about the start of September and as a consequence, the end of summer. In said post, I wasn’t exactly happy about that! But since then, I have received a job offer for a Copywriter job and therefore, my future is looking a little less messy – woo!

However, this job offer has come with many complications that I won’t go into, but these complications have started to get me thinking – what is actually important?

So many people have sat and driven themselves crazy when contemplating the true ‘meaning of life’. I personally think that this is a waste of time. As dismal and depressing as it sounds, life ends the same for everyone. We all die. There’s no changing that and truly no perfect way of postponing it. So, in short, I think, the meaning of life is to live happy. To ensure that when you meet your end, you can smile and greet death with somewhat open arms…right?

Therefore, whilst we’re living, what is important? What should we dedicate our time to? And I genuinely would like people to tell me what they find important in their lives, because I’m at an awkward stage in my life where I’m trying to find what fits. What makes me happy? What’s ‘worth it’? I’ve wanted to go on holiday with my boyfriend for some time now, because, well, we’re awesome and we deserve a break from everyone else, right? But my manager isn’t exactly the best of managers and didn’t tell me whether I was granted this holiday time. Then, come the time for the holiday, I was like “arrragh can I go or not?” With this new job happening too, I need the money in order to relocate and so I was faced with the ever-so-dire question ‘money or fun’… What would you choose, damsels?

Well I didn’t actually choose. The decision was kind of made for me in the situation but once it was done, I was relieved. It was only from crying in one of my manager’s arms that I realised – I’m frickin’ stressed!  I’m tried and bored and irritable and confused and overthinking like a crazed rabid squirrel. So I was given the holiday time and I’m going to Blackpool next week; even though I’m nervous about my first holiday with my boyfriend, I’m totally excited to not work for a week or have to deal with this and that.

Yes, as my brother likes to say, my problems will still be there when I return home. But the idea is that when on holiday (as long as it’s not a super expensive one that you truly can’t afford) you get to relax. Your mind can clear and recuperate. You can return home with fresh eyes and a clear head in order to deal with things from a new perspective and a stronger mindset. Well, that’s the idea.

By not working I’m only losing around £50 and when I put that into perspective, I realised £50 isn’t as important as a smile. As laughter and love and some god damn fun! Money in our world is such a big deal that people chase it. Chasing it is fine and it will bring you happiness for the most part; I do realise that.

{It should be noted that I believe money can bring happiness. Not because money is happiness but because I believe money = freedom. With money, you can do most of the things you dream of…}

But when it comes to money or spending time with someone; or money versus following your dream, I’m sorry but I’m going to go with the latter. As a writer, and you writers out there will be nodding in agreement, we don’t make a lot of money. Sadly, writers aren’t repaid for what is actually the most important part of any process. With films or TV shows or manuals or speeches that the president makes or songs that your favourite artist sings, there is a small writer who sat for hours or days or weeks or years crafting it. And yet, you probably don’t know the name of the writers of ‘Inception’, a beautifully complex film. Instead you know Leonardo DiCaprio, who is indeed a beautiful and brilliant man, but he was not the genius behind the concept. Sad, right? Anyway back to my point. Yes, writers are generally poor and unappreciated, but writing makes me happy. Shouldn’t I be a happy little writer who works other jobs for more money whilst writing, over a sad, overworked accountant making big bucks? I hate numbers! Don’t make me be an accountant!

I think, therefore, I’m starting to see what I think is important. Of course, I want money and to travel and to have a big house in several countries and nice cars and enough money to help the people I love and the less fortunate – but all that can’t be at the cost of my happiness. And nor should you sacrifice yours. Do you know what most people have said on their death bed? (Yes, I’ve researched it). They said they wish they had worked less. Think about that for a minute. Is working a 9-5 job you hate really and truly worth it? Life is short, why bother doing that and being unhappy whilst you sit on your big pile of money?

These are the things I’m thinking are important:

Your loved ones – they’re little treasures if only you seek their riches.
Travel –  see the world; don’t make a very small world for yourself or you’ll suffocate.
Your passion/dream – chase that thing whilst you can; if it’s possible, do it; even if it seems impossible, rethink and make it possible. We’re happiest when we’re sleeping and that’s because we’re in our dreams where nothing is impossible.
Loving yourself – don’t let someone else love you more than you love yourself. I’m not talking about narcissism, I’m talking about appreciating what makes you, you .
Art – whether it’s literature, film, TV, blog posts, paintings, buildings or whatever, sit and appreciate art. It can change you and heal you if you let it. Find the art that suits you and create it too. This world was built and shaped by artists with a vision, nothing else.
Living – doing something! Not going with the current with work, sleep, repeat but actually living. There’s so much out there. Such a vast space of unmarked land for you to see and experience. Do it! Find your true calling!

So, consider this, damsels. Do you want to die having left loads of money but no love for your family? Or do you want to die leaving a legacy behind from a life of love, fun and adventure? Where everyone you knew, truly knows and loves you. Where your mark is left on the world for something meaningful and wonderful. Just think about it. You’re not winning if you’re rich. You’re winning if you’re happy. Don’t compare your life to others, live your own without fear.

[Feel free to comment listing the things you value ]

~ Damsel