“I hate this world forcing me to follow dreams and passion. Why do we need to think about tomorrow’s happiness?”
Said, my Korean friend who I used to work with at the engineering company. It was the day I published ‘To Become Great, Build Something Great’ and it made me think. So I decided to write a follow-up article.
Looking back, am I forcing people to follow their dream, whatever it takes? Am I telling people to ditch your today’s happiness for tomorrow’s happiness? All those inspirational quotes and photos, are these make people unhappy?
Hope not.
People often ask me what’s my advice to the first time travelers. ‘Travel in comfort’ is the answer. I’m an independent traveler and a backpacker. But I’m not saying this is the only way to travel. If the suitcase comforts you, go for it. If you are more comfortable with a group of people in the place, sign up. If the little village with no electricity freaks you out, don’t go. Traveling is not about doing something ‘cool’. It’s about learning about the world, and yourself. And it applies the same for the life in general. Life is not about doing something ‘cool’. I’m not walking on a path of the entrepreneur to be ‘cool’. It just was happened to be my calling.
Are we looking down on people?
One of many accusing arguments I got from my decision was I was looking down on people who were dedicated to living the conventional lifestyle. People said I was looking down on people because they thought I was like ‘I am better than you all, you suckers.’ Well, was I really? Is there any chance that you are projecting your unhappiness toward me?
I didn’t choose to live my own life because it’s a cool thing, and neither should you. Everything is relevant. If you think your office life and steady income make you happy in average, why not a pursuit that? If today’s happiness is more important than dreaming about traveling the world ‘someday’, you don’t have to. If you can find the creativity and inspiration in your daily routine, good for you. I’m saying that’s just not for me.
Think hard. Did anyone actually say your conventional lifestyle is a terrible mistake? Don’t dump your needs to others who are making their own just because they are the easy targets. Just like every success and failure on the road is on me, your happiness at home is on you. Since you are the one who made the choice to go to work every day in a suit, you can’t blame someone else for that. You can’t say your traveling friends make you unhappy.
Because I’m busting their bubble
One of the lessons I’ve learned while dealing with the people over the years was no one likes to acknowledge their bubble. And if someone’s bursting their bubble? Forget it. That’s the difference between people who are seeking for the inspiration and those of are not. People who are still accusing me of being childish, selfish, spoiled and cocky are actually mad at me to bursting their bubble. I’m making them realize the world is big and out there. To see me travel around the world is agonizing for them. But think really hard, I am not the one making you unhappy, you are.
I’m sorry I’m not an average girl with less desire and passion. If I was, Runaway Juno was never born. I’m not sorry for my decision, and I never will.
