You've Been Lied...
Here are some subtle cause of your mental burnout
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Do you remember the first time you held a coin in your hand and were told about the magic of saving?
That piggy bank sitting on your dresser wasn't just a container.
It was the gateway to dreams—a bicycle, a new video game, or that action figure everyone at school was talking about.
It felt like a simple equation: Save today, reap the rewards tomorrow.
But as we grow older, the complexity of what we're saving for evolves, and so does the narrative around it.
From piggy banks, we move to bank accounts. From small desires, we shift to larger ambitions: a car, a house, an education.
And with each step, the story we've been sold thickens.
We're told that if we work hard enough, save wisely, and invest smartly, we'll achieve a life of comfort and security. It's a narrative deeply ingrained in us, often unquestioned, a blueprint for success handed down through generations.
But isn’t this blueprint flawed?
For many, the reality of chasing these dreams feels like running on a treadmill—constant motion, but no real progress.
The job that was supposed to be a stepping stone becomes a cage.
The house that represented success becomes a chain of endless debt.
The savings that promised security seem perpetually insufficient in the face of life's unpredictability.
We've been fed a diet of half-truths which is more dangerous than a lie.
We're led to believe in a one-size-fits-all formula for a fulfilling life, ignoring the diverse paths and experiences that truly enrich human existence.
Today, I want to peel back the layers of these myths and share insights that challenge the status quo. Let's explore together the misconceptions surrounding success in careers, personal development, and beyond...
The Money Scam
Let’s cut the crap right from the start. You’ve been spoon-fed a lie dipped in glitter and served on a golden platter: "More money will make you happier."
BS.
This is the anthem of the capitalist choir, humming in your ears since you were in diapers.
Every billboard, Instagram ad, and flashy car commercial sings the same tune: Chase the cash, catch happiness.
It’s like they believe cramming your garage with sports cars and your wardrobe with designer labels is the key to eternal bliss.
But self-help gurus and luxury influencers conveniently forget to mention: happiness isn’t a commodity you can buy.
Chasing wealth often becomes a never-ending treadmill. You run faster, earn more, yet the finish line of fulfillment sprints even further away.
It’s a mirage in a desert of consumerism.
Sure, being broke as a joke ain’t a laughing matter either.
Money matters, but only to a point.
It can lift you out of misery, but it’s not a VIP ticket to joy.
Look around. The wealthiest moguls are often the ones popping antidepressants like candy at a rave.
Meanwhile, someone living in a van, traveling the world, might be sipping on the elixir of life, far richer in happiness than those billionaires.
It’s time to debunk this myth.
I am not suggesting money is bad. No. Never.
Money is a tool, not a destination.
It’s about what you do with it, how you earn it, and knowing that no amount of zeros in your bank account will patch up the voids meant to be filled with experiences, love, and self-acceptance.
So, before you sell another hour of your precious life for overtime, ask yourself: Is this really worth my happiness?
Don't buy into the lie.
Invest in experiences, relationships, and memories.
Those are the true currencies of happiness, and guess what?
The inflation rate on those is zero.
"Life's Timelines Are Set in Stone" is a Fairy Tale for Adults
You know the drill – the societal assembly line where every milestone is scheduled with the precision of a Swiss watch.
Graduate by 22, married by 30, first home at 35, retire at 65.
Miss a step, and suddenly you’re the family’s black sheep, dodging pitying glances at Thanksgiving dinners.
The truth is life isn’t a race. And those timelines?
Fabricated by people who probably still believe in the Tooth Fairy.
They’re arbitrary, restrictive, and, frankly, outdated.
Yet, this lie persists, worming its way into our psyche, whispering that we’re falling behind, that we’re failures.
Let’s get real.
The most fascinating stories are those of late bloomers, the rule-breakers, the ones who dared to challenge the status quo.
Think of the entrepreneurs who didn’t find their calling until their 40s, the artists who were discovered posthumously, or the adventurers who didn’t start exploring until their retirement.
Their lives weren’t bound by the ticking clock of societal expectations.
They wrote their own timelines.
Vera Wang didn't start her iconic bridal fashion brand until she was 40, after decades in the fashion industry as an editor.
Stan Lee, the father of Marvel Comics, was 39 when he created his first hit comic, "The Fantastic Four," after years of writing filler content and minor comic strips.
Samuel L. Jackson was 46 when he landed his breakout role in "Pulp Fiction," despite being in the acting scene for years.
Julia Child published her first cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," at 49, revolutionizing American cooking.
Colonel Harland Sanders franchised Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) at 62, after a lifetime of different jobs and failures.
Laura Ingalls Wilder published the first of her "Little House" books at 65, which became classics of children’s literature.
Dame Judi Dench was well into her 60s before she achieved international fame, proving that talent knows no age limit.
And I can go on and on.
My point is this pressure to conform to a pre-set schedule, is a life killer.
It stifles potential, cages dreams, and breeds a cookie-cutter existence.
Life is unpredictable, messy, and beautifully chaotic.
It refuses to adhere to a neatly organized plan, and that’s where its magic lies.
So, if you’re reading this and thinking you’ve missed the boat because you haven’t checked off some arbitrary box by a certain age, take a breath.
Your journey is not a race against time; it’s a personal voyage of discovery.
Your milestones, your achievements, are on your schedule, not society’s.
Embrace the freedom to create your own timeline. Celebrate the detours, the late starts, and the unconventional paths. They’re not just acceptable; they’re the essence of a life well-lived.
After all, the best stories are those without a predictable plot, wouldn’t you agree?
The Hustle Culture Hoax
One of the most toxic lies peddled by the modern workaholic wizardry: "Free time is bad."
This mantra is the beating heart of hustle culture, a relentless demon whispering, "If you’re not grinding, you’re failing."
It’s as if every minute not spent in productivity is a sin against the holy scripture of success.
What a load of crap.
The idea that your worth is measured by how little you rest is not just flawed. It’s dangerous.
It’s a one-way ticket to Burnoutville, population: too damn high.
The badge of honor for working 80-hour weeks and sleeping under your desk?
It’s not a badge. It’s a red flag.
Free time is not the enemy. It’s the unsung hero in the story of creativity, innovation, and, dare I say, sanity.
It’s when the mind wanders in the meadows of imagination that ideas bloom like wildflowers.
Ever noticed how your brain solves problems in the shower, or how inspiration strikes on a lazy Sunday afternoon?
That’s free time working its magic, not a sign of laziness.
We’ve forgotten the art of doing nothing.
And by nothing, I mean basking in the glorious act of simply being.
It’s in these moments of stillness that we reconnect with ourselves, our passions, and the people we love.
It’s where we recharge our batteries, not just to work better but to live better.
So, next time someone tries to guilt-trip you for taking a day off or enjoying a leisurely morning, remember this: Free time is not bad.
It’s essential.
It’s the lifeblood of a balanced existence, a reminder that we are human beings, not human doings.
Ditch the hustle culture’s Kool-Aid and sip on the sweet nectar of leisure.
Your mind, body, and soul will thank you for it.
👉 If this post resonates with you, forward it on to your buddies!
And please, don't forget to hit that ❤️ button.
If you’re NOT using the app, respond with the word “Awesome.”
It helps others find it on Substack.
Thanks for the support! 🙌