Millennialism with some first word problems and a sprinkle of dry humour
I’ve been lucky to witness a new beginning for a loved one. I am starting to internalise the complexities of feelings one goes through when moving out of your mother’s home for good, buying a new house that is yours to keep forever and truly stepping out of your comfort zone that was your childhood home for so long.
Change is daunting. Humans by nature tend to be somewhat averse to the concept. Heck, even when it’s for the better such as moving to a bigger and better home – it’ll cause you some anxiety. Be it the new job which comes with a better pay and sure – more responsibilities. You will feel yourself pulling back and hesitating just a little bit. You may shiver from the unexpected drop in temperature as you step out of your comfort zone.
I’ve always found this sort of attitude incredibly calming – it’s just paper, it is just money. It forces perspective with three words, automatically sorting out your value system. It’s a reminder, one that we no doubt need.
Many of us tend to be a bit of a career-holic. Obsessively trying to climb that ladder, wanting bigger and better, a better title, better money, bigger desk and a shiny car with a personalised number plate. And then when we hit a bit of a speed bump and obsess when we find life is more difficult than expected. Take a moment and prioritise what is material and what is real.
We have an innate desire to be remembered and to leave a legacy. The things we do to have our existence be marked. The need to be continued to be thought of even if we aren’t around to do so directly. Whether it’s in secondary school, carving your name into the playground bench reading ‘Maddie waz here’ or leaving something behind at your workplace so that whenever people do see it, they think of you and your legacy. To plant something for an infinite amount of time which represents you. The whole – “this is your song” is synonymous for “Remember me when you listen to this”.
Granted, pride is often used as a negative. Making up part of the 7 deadly sins in Christianity and just getting an all-around bad rep among most religions. Even folk tales rarely look kindly on it. It’s always about modesty and humility – but are they really at odds?