Ever find yourself wishing the world would just get it together?
Maybe if your job wasn’t so stressful, your relationships were simpler, or the universe handed you a better hand, you’d finally feel happy and fulfilled. The truth, though? You can’t really change the external forces around you—those are here to stay. But the way you respond to them? That’s a whole different story, and this is exactly what Henry David Thoreau was getting at when he said, “Things do not change; we change.”
Let’s get this out of the way: Life can be frustrating. Traffic, annoying coworkers, social expectations, existential crises at 3 a.m. about what it all means—none of these are going anywhere. And that’s where most of us go wrong. We spend so much time waiting for the world to change so it’ll fit neatly into our idea of what would make us happy.
But Thoreau was onto something big: The world isn’t going to change for us. The change has to come from within.
Here’s the kicker—life doesn’t come with a pre-packaged sense of meaning. There’s no instruction manual telling you how to live a fulfilling life. That’s where existentialism comes into play. The meaning of life? You’re making it. Every single day, whether you realize it or not, you’re crafting what life means to you by the choices you make, how you react, and the mindset you adopt.
It’s pretty empowering when you think about it—you’re not stuck in a story where you have no control. You’re the one holding the pen, deciding how each chapter unfolds. So, instead of focusing on all the things you can’t change, like the economy or the fact that your neighbor still hasn’t taken down their holiday lights in April, maybe it’s time to turn inward. What can you change about yourself? How can you respond to life’s challenges differently?
Reflecting on Your Own Journey
For those of us on a self-discovery journey, this quote might be the key we didn’t know we were looking for. Self-reflection is a powerful tool, and it’s through reflecting that we begin to understand where we’re resisting change within ourselves. Take a moment to think: Are you waiting for external things to change, or are you actively working on changing the way you see and respond to them?
Here’s an example: Say you’re overwhelmed by your job—endless emails, meetings that should’ve been emails, and a to-do list that seems to grow overnight. Instead of hoping for the perfect work environment (spoiler alert: it doesn’t exist), what if you change the way you manage your time, set boundaries, or even reframe the way you view your work? Small internal changes can make a world of difference.
Or maybe you’re on a personal growth path, trying to find more meaning in your day-to-day. Journaling could be a game-changer. Writing down your thoughts not only helps you process emotions, but it’s also a great way to reflect on where you’re resisting change or clinging to external expectations. It’s all about shifting your perspective from “If things were different, I’d be happier” to “What can I do to find happiness with things as they are?”
Existentialism: The DIY Philosophy
Now, let’s talk a little existentialism—yes, the idea that life has no inherent meaning and it’s on you to create it. Before you start spiraling into an existential dread, think of it like this: You have the freedom to make your life whatever you want it to be. That’s pretty exciting, isn’t it?
Instead of waiting for life to hand you a sense of purpose on a silver platter, start small. Ask yourself, “What’s something that gives me a sense of meaning today?” It could be as simple as connecting with a friend, working on a passion project, or even spending time in nature (channel your inner Thoreau and get into those woods!). Life’s meaning isn’t some grand, elusive thing—it’s made up of the little moments where we actively choose to find value.
Call to Action: Reflect and Change
So, here’s a challenge for you: Take a few minutes today to reflect. What’s one area of your life where you’re waiting for the world to change? How can you change instead? Maybe it’s adjusting your mindset around a stressful situation, practicing gratitude for what you have, or even letting go of that thing that’s been holding you back.
The world is going to keep spinning. Traffic will still exist, people will still annoy you, and life will continue to throw curveballs. But you? You have the power to evolve, to grow, and to find meaning in every twist and turn.
The real magic happens when we stop waiting for the world to change and start changing ourselves.