In praise of the ordinary life.

From a young age we are taught to aspire for greatness in every area of our lives. We must be the best in class, the best in sport, the best in drama, go on to be the best in our careers, the best romantic partners, best parents, best everything. I drank up that script in Primary School and High School. I was the best in whatever I gave my attention to.

It’s been many years since High School and as I approach 31 I am realizing that I’m over that part of the story. I don’t want to be a great anything or the best in anything. Wait, I want to be the best version of myself. By showing up every day and giving life my all I am already the best at being me and I’m content with that.

I was just thinking today that I don’t care for a great life by any measure. I lead an ordinary life and it makes me happy. I really just want to be happy. I don’t ask for much. My therapist made me laugh today when she was saying how I really just go to work for the paycheck. I put enough effort in my job and do what is expected of me. I really just want my paycheck and to go home.

I don’t want to strive for any greatness. When I write I’m not trying to be the greatest writer that ever lived. I write because I love it. I always want to do things because they bring me joy not because I want to be the best at them. We are the generation that killed hobbies by monetizing them. I am protective of my hobbies because I want to enjoy my beautiful, ordinary life.

I love that I write every day be it on my blog or in my journal. I finish work at 5 then go see my boyfriend’s family on most days. I find joy in such ordinary things. I am able to fully immerse myself in moments shared with loved ones. I’m convinced the secret to happiness is in an ordinary life. Whenever I’m on leave from work I revel in the fact that I know nothing is falling apart cos of my absence. I’m not what’s holding the company together and I’d like to keep it that way for a very long time.

I am grateful for spaces like this on the internet that allow us to invite the world to share in our joy as writers. I’m not a published author but I have a corner of the internet that belongs to me. That makes me so happy. I don’t want to wait until I’m a published author to enjoy sharing my work with the world. Small, ordinary things bring me so much joy.

I have nothing against greatness. Strive for it if that’s what you want but know that there can be so much beauty too in an ordinary life!