I should agree, so they won’t think I’m stupid.
(Even though I’ve got a different point of view.)
I should go to that party, so they won’t get mad at me.
(Even though I don’t like to hang out with them.)
I should go to that event, because everybody’s going.
(Even though I’d rather stay at home reading a good book.)
I shouldn’t do that, that’s so not done.
(Even though I’m really excited about it.)
I should be easy-going, or they’ll think I’m arrogant and self-centered.
(Even though I really don’t wanna go see the movie they wanna go see.)
I should want that promotion, because that’s what reasonable people do.
(Even though I’d rather steer my career to a new path.)
I should lead that project, because that will boost my career.
(Even though I’d rather work from the background – that’s where I excel.)
I shouldn’t read that book – if anyone sees I’m reading this, they’ll think I’m losing it.
(Even though I’m really intrigued by it.)
I should do this.
I should have that.
I should be like this.
I should behave like that.
All choices disguised as non-negotiable truths.
Pretending there’s no other option.
Turning us into passive bystanders of our own life.
Living out those seemingly unbreakable rules imposed on us.
Instead of making our own choices.
I choose to do this.
I choose to have that.
I choose to be like this.
I choose to behave like that.
Choices – with consequences.
Options – waiting to be explored.
Decisions – that can be made and changed.
Putting the power back where it belongs.
With us.
Choosing.
Living.
Instead of being lived.
What shoulds are you living out?
What choices can you make instead?
Photo from here.
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2 Responses to Living out the shoulds. (And forgetting to live our life.)
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I work with smart, dynamic and driven people that are ticking all the boxes of success, yet feeling as if they are living their life with the brakes on. I work with caring and generous people that are trying to be everything to everyone and forgetting themselves in the process. I work with savvy, fun and creative high achievers that want to reconnect with what they really want in life, instead of living out everyone else’s expectations and worrying they’re not good enough. Together, we dive in. Together, we dive deep. I offer a different perspective. I offer tools and concepts and a space to explore. You explore. You take action. You emerge. Bubbly. Sparkly. Infectiously inspiring. The way you’ve always been. You just didn’t realise it yet.
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The content on this site is intended to inspire readers to live their life instead of someone else's, to ditch the burden of perfection and who they think they're supposed to be. The content on this site is intended to inspire readers to embrace their unique brilliance and share their brilliance with the world, to serve the world from that loving, abundant, creative place of possibility, so that in turn that world becomes a more loving, more abundant, more genuinely generous and compassionate place. The intent of this content and site is not to tell readers how they should live their life. Nor should it be used as a substitute for treatment by or advice of a professional therapist, counselor, psychiatrist or any similar professional caregiver. Any decisions taken by readers are their decisions and their decisions and responsibility only.
Great words! As usual.
This brought a big smile on my face: “I shouldn’t read that book – if anyone sees I’m reading this, they’ll think I’m losing it. (Even though I’m really intrigued by it.)”
You know what I’m talking about… isn’t it? 🙂
I’m still laughing here! 😉
Already looking forward to your next post!
Thanks, Lenny! And yes, I think I know what you’re talking about 😉 xo