HOW CAN I MAKE PROGRESS? | CRMSNCHRYSNTHS

overthink

əʊvəˈθɪŋk/

verb

think about (something) too much or for too long.

           I am not really sure who said that life is a race. That basically, life is all about competitions and who will get it first. But you see, if that really is the way people will define life, how about those who can’t run? How will they make a progress if they are being left behind?

It is difficult.

Thinking of a way to solve things that are way too complicated for our own good—it is difficult.
The feeling of being burdened by the thoughts that ever so slowly but surely eats our sanity—it is difficult.

But if the sun still rises and show off its brightness and glory,

If the chicken soup still reaches its boil,

If the reflection you see on the mirror still acts up,

It is possible.

         There are a lot of things going on Ida’s mind. One, she is frustrated. She is getting older but she still feels like she hasn’t done anything fulfilling yet. Another thing is that she is sad. She browses the newsfeed on her Facebook account and sees nothing but people trying to be pretty on social media. She is sad because of the first reason: frustration. Got nothing accomplished, got nothing to show off.
And there is also a reason why there is the need to show the world what she wishes she got.

Ida was a very talented girl when she was young. People will compliment her ability to create art and music, the power to speak up, her performances on school. But the odd thing is as she grows up, she kind of like lost the track. Where did the talented Ida go?

Her fingers can no longer strike strings of a guitar. She can no longer press the keys of the piano. Her vocals were locked inside the box and were thrown to somewhere no one can find—making her that kind of person people will prioritize hearing the least.

She became mediocre.

Because of that, getting up from bed makes it even more harder. Finding the confidence that was lost long ago seems impossible. And the word progress became what’s beyond the bounds of possibility.

These domino effects are what make her stagnant. The still, motionless, lifeless life no one wants but is certain—like death.

Then again, how can she develop?

If life is a race, Ida was already a hundred years left behind. The routine of having no ability to even start the day is the reason why. And if you even lost the interest on doing what you love, frustrations and hardships are real. They are not state of the mind. They are physical and certain. They will surely affect you.

So maybe, start by dropping off the unnecessary thoughts that runs on your brain. I get that sometimes, we do not have any control over that. But overthinking is destructive. And even if we are a hundred percent aware of that, we just tend to do it.
If you are like me, who don’t have money to seek for professional help, you can do what I always do. First, I take a deep breathe. Then I close my eyes, relaxed. After that, I do not think. I will focus not on the following day or what happened yesterday, but on the very present time. For example, if I am eating oranges. I will divert my mind to the sweet and sour taste of oranges—and only to that.

Next, take time. Do not rush things. Start little by little. Begin with reviving the interest you lost on the things you love. Have time with your family and friends. If you are taking longer time than what you need, challenge yourself. Plan and set your goals. It’s never going to be easy, I must tell, but it is possible.

Do not just focus on yourself. Help those who need help. Be the shoulder your loved ones can cry on. Give and do not expect for anything in return. Love and be more grateful. Trust me; you will even feel way better than what you expect.

Life can be a race or not—it really does not matter. Your definition of life is only a set of words that depends on your perspectives and what you do for it to have meaning. Everyone can make a progress. It is never too late.

It is never too late.