Many ways of looking at life, as ideal as they are, can seem really difficult to grasp.
“Live each day like your last,” “have no regrets,” and “don't worry, be happy” are all great ideas, but human emotions get in the way of such positivity.
I am a big promoter of living as positively as possible and we know how hard the city can be to make that a reality. So as a starting place, here are my top reasons to live your life in the fast lane, with no regrets, in New York City.
Literally everyone around you is messing up, too
Making mistakes isn't something you're doing more than others, as much as it can feel that way. While you are a unique person, many parts of your life aren't unique to you.
There is a universally-shared human experience, and messing up is part of that. For the most part, we only see others people's positivity and we compare it to our negativity. What isn't as visible are their mistakes because most people keep those things private.
Also, the positive things in those people's lives may not be as positive as you think. In such an insecure time as our 20s, many people do their best to give off an aura of success to deal with their insecurities. However, such an image gives others anxieties about their lives, as they start to compare their real lives to someone else's image. The only way to avoid that is to never compare yourself to others.
If you're still here, you're doing fine
This is a tough city. Point blank. Only the smartest and hardest working will survive here independently. So if you're still here, week after week and month after month, then that should proof enough that you're doing something right.
You may not be working towards what you want at the moment, but you're one step closer by just being here.
On top of that, don't make excuses for the positive things if your life. Many of us have a decency to think we don't deserve what we have. We'll tell ourselves, “Oh, I just got that out of luck. If this circumstance hadn't happen, I wouldn't have been so lucky.” Whether that's true or not, it doesn't matter. It still happened and you're still doing alright. Take pride in the positivity happening to you, because it's what's keeping you afloat.
,Regret hurts your future decisions
Let's use a lighter scenario as an example. Say you went out drinking one night and went a little harder than expected. Seven whiskey gingers later, you wake up with an atrocious hangover. You're so sick that you can't do any of the work you needed to do. Are you going to let this ruin all other chances of going out in the future? “Guys, last night was too crazy, so I don't know about doing it again.” Uh, no way.
That example may sound frivolous, but you can apply that logic to any related situation. Yes, you made a poor decision or just a decision that could have been a little better. But living in fear of repeating that decision, or mulling over how it affected you, does nothing. Diffuse the energy you're using to regret, recognize what went wrong, and put that energy towards ensuring a different future. This leads us to my fourth reason...
Don't waste the limited energy you have
We're all going to die some day, and we should both laugh at that and keep it in mind. There's a big misconception that growing up involves taking life more seriously. Losing the ability to brush things off and laugh will just strip you of the energy it takes to enjoy yourself. In turn, you'll miss the chance to enjoy the precious moments left.
NYC also requires a lot of energy to survive. Just existing in this environment can be exhausting. Rewarding, but exhausting.
If you make room for regret in your mind, that regret is going to demand more attention and take away the energy you need to be happy or just function in general. The best remedy for regret: laugh it off. Mistakes can be funny, especially once you've learned better.
Most days here really are better than any day elsewhere
This statement can sound a little oversimplified, especially when people who don't live here get defensive and start listing the cons are NYC. Cons that we are fully aware of. But, when you think about the opportunities to work, live, and play that we have here, that idea makes a lot more sense. You may not go see foreign films much, but at least you have the chance to do so here.
The majority of cities don't have 8 million residents. That's 8 million chances at friendship, and a ton of more chances at love.
So even if you go about your day in a typical fashion (i.e., going to work, getting work done, and going home), imagine all the chances you had for something unique to happen. Seeing a celebrity, bumping into your soul mate, discovering a brilliant piece of art, whatever. It's hard to say that could happen in cities or towns that don't constantly surround you with people and places.
Regret has no place with those chances.
If you enjoyed this article, check out 11 Things New Yorkers Need to Stop Caring About!
[Above Photo Courtesy:Instagram]