The Life Waiting to Be Lived…
We spend a lot of time chasing the version of ourselves we believe we should be. We build walls around our dreams based on what we think we should do. Such as the career path that looks respectable. The milestone degrees, titles, earnings and achievements that society tells us mark success. The routines that keep us safe, predictable, and—at least on the surface—acceptable.
But in the process of building this “should” life, we often block the view of other possibilities, we miss the quiet invitations to explore what our life could be like.
The Trap of “Should”
External expectations: Family, culture, and social media all whisper (or shout) what we ought to do. Graduate, marry, buy a house, climb the ladder.
Internalized pressure: We absorb these voices until they become our own, convincing ourselves that deviation is failure.
Result: We end up designing a life that looks polished, seems to feel acceptable to our families, but also feels hollow, a checklist of accomplishments rather than a canvas of possibilities.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
The Cost of Missing “Could”
We all have responsibilities. It can be scary or feel irresponsible to think of our lives outside of what we have been conditioned to believe is acceptable - and so we conform. There is value in conforming, especially when we have families, for example providing safety, stability, security etc. However, when we’re consumed by “should”, we limit ourselves. We overlook the subtle sparks of curiosity and joy that point toward our authentic path.
The hobby we dismiss as impractical
The building of relationships we don’t pursue because it doesn’t fit the timeline
The dreams we silence because it feels too risky
These are the seeds of the life we could live—one rooted in freedom, creativity, and alignment with who we truly are.
Shifting the Lens
What if we paused the endless pursuit of “should” and asked: What could I do? What else is possible? How can I make it happen?
Listen inward: Notice what energizes you, even if it doesn’t fit the mold.
Experiment: Try small steps toward curiosity—take the class, write the story, start the conversation.
Redefine success: Instead of measuring by external standards, ask whether your choices bring you closer to feeling alive.
A Life of Possibility
The truth is, the life we could live is often waiting just beyond the boundaries of “should.” It doesn’t require abandoning responsibility or structure—it asks us to be brave enough to imagine more.
When we shift from “What do I have to do?” to “What do I want to create?”, we stop living someone else’s script and start writing our own.
The Invitation is Simple
Try to pause long enough to ask:
What makes me feel alive?
What am I curious about?
What have I silenced in the name of being responsible?
How can I stop building walls and blocking the possibilities?
The life waiting for you isn’t reckless—it’s real. It’s rooted in freedom, authenticity, and the courage to imagine more.
You don’t have to tear everything down.
You just have to find the window—and be brave enough to look through it.
