Many a time my mum has seen me spend hours and hours in from of the computer writing stories or articles or there are cases when I refused to go out with friends because I was reading an interesting book or watching a series. My mother as well as my friends strongly complain that I don’t spend enough time with them and they always come to a conclusion like “DO something meaningful in your life, because time goes by very quickly. Feel alive!”
But what does it mean to be alive? What does it mean to live? Criticizing other people’s activities and asking them to change, even if we have good intensions, is too easy. We forget that we cannot force someone to do something because we consider it right or good. Every person lives their life in the way they desire. Family and loved ones may be able to offer a piece of advice, but each person is responsible for their choices. I, for once, am enjoying spending time reading books and watching series, I’m not planning to stop these activities that satisfy me so well just because others reject my way of spending my time.
However, I ought to think about the advice these people offer me since I am aware that they do it for my own wellbeing. The truth is that to develop as personalities and acquire practical and social skills we have to leave our comfort zones, such as our home, go out and come into contact with others, socialize. We are the ones who need to live through different experiences in our lives, not some fictional character, to discover our true strengths of our character which we might not even have knownexisted before and improve our weaknesses.
To set theory aside, I’d like to offer some examples which I have applied in my life to feel that I am not wasting my youth away. First, I have looked and have found a job which makes me feel independent and autonomous. Additionally, I am now well and in-peace with myself, as I am chasing after my dreams by sending out my papers in hopes I’ll be chosen to attend lessons on my field of work abroad, and by posting articles and stories regardless the result. Finally, I have started taking part in volunteer work, which has showed me the glee of belonging in a team which aims at social good. So, just follow the next chance which will cross your path as scary or pointless it may seem at the moment, because you don’t really know the results or the unexpected benefits that may lie with it.
The point of this article isn’t to change your every-day life. Everybody needs some time alone to watch the adventures of our favorite digital, literary or tv-show characters. Just don’t forget the numerous adventures awaiting you to experience as a person, otherwise you may spend your whole life not knowing about the world around you or your true potential.
Translation: Niki Saridaki