Try Harder... or not

A crab looking out to the future. What does she expect, or does she even think at all?

All my life I have lived by a central paradigm: the harder you work, the harder you try, the more you will succeed.

The problem with this linear thought process is that I ended up increasing my stress level, not necessarily working harder. It is true that a more determined effort supports a more accomplished path, but I don't need to live a life constantly thinking about how I can best use my time, most effectively use each minute, study most deeply, etc. Instead I need to live by one of my central tenets: trust. I need to trust that my life will be fine. I already have a mindset that prepares me for my goals and dreams. I still need to put forth the effort to achieve my goals, but I don't need to worry about it. I can let go, breathe and accept the fate that life is offering me.

Therefore, today, I am going to try to stop trying so hard. I am always looking up self-help guides to improve my personality, relationships, life, academics, and health, but perhaps I need to stop trying to find the easy fixes in life, and just go and live. Living is much more difficult that fulfilling my brain's craving for instant gratification. I need to stop living for hope, and start living for real meaningful purposes. We'll see where this road takes me. I will still do the things that work, running, studying, friendships, but I'll stop trying to make them the ultimate achievement.

Letting go.... now.

"Turning Tables" - Adele