You Need to Pursue What you Love

Love it, or leave it is what I always say.

No, I’m not talking about your pets or your kids—that would be cruel. (And let’s face it, the grammar would be awkward). I’m talking about what you do with your life. You know, the thing you are living right now?

Let me explain. Every single day, you’re given a window of opportunity to experience the world. And what are you going to do if you don’t like the view? I’ll tell you what. Over time your dissatisfaction and lack of inspiration will eventually consume you, leaving you bitter and in despair.

And let’s be honest: bitter and desperate people are tough to be around for extended periods of time. They’re either forever chasing distractions to avoid confronting reality or, worse, projecting their resentment and dissatisfaction onto others. Sometimes, they even manage to do both simultaneously—an impressive but deeply tragic feat.

So how can I avoid becoming the person outlined above? Well it can be summed up simply… you need to pursue what you love to do. Whatever that thing may be.

Without pursuing what you truly love, you’ll always feel incomplete. And that emptiness will gnaw at you, driving you to seek solace in fleeting pleasures—the kind the world is all too eager to sell you. The world is a glittering maze, brimming with promises of shiny, temporary fulfillment. Venture too far into that maze, and you risk losing yourself there entirely. Some people even start working in that maze. It certainly happened to me a few times in my life. And it left me feeling like a lost and overused tube of toothpaste, my soul squeezed out until there was nothing left.

But how do you know you’ve found the thing you love?

Well, you may already know. I mean subconsciously you already have a inkling. It’s the thing that always drives your curiosity, it’s the thing you keep going back to, it’s the thing that provides a deep sense of fulfillment, which you would do even if the monetary rewards were low or even absent. It’s the thing that matches your skills, curiosity and the needs of society. And it’s also the thing that you are probably running away from because you are too consumed with thoughts of failure. Yes, it’s that thing! Now that you have remembered it, make a note of it so you don’t forget it again.

So now all that is left is for you to work your ass off to make it part of your life.

When you pursue what you love, you embark on a journey to express your truest self. It’s a fundamental part of your identity. Carl Jung called this individuation: the process of realizing your full potential.

And here’s the kicker: when you find what you love and commit to it, you don’t just change your own life—you inspire others to do the same. Passion and the drive that comes along with it is contagious, and so is authenticity. It starts a ripple effect, one that begins with you taking that first, bold step toward the life you actually want.

So you also owe it to your family and your community and the world to follow what you love.

So, find your thing. Hold onto it. Nurture it.

Because at the end of the day, you’re not here to simply exist. You’re here to live with purpose, to burn brightly, and to leave the world better than you found it.

Your long-term mental health depends on it. And, if it were necessary to say more, the health of everyone around you does too.

The Curses of an Introvert?

The word introvert is originally from Latin, meaning "inward turning." So, the question is: are you someone who turns inward? —or just someone who has a panic attack every time the phone rings.

For the longest time, I didn’t realize I was an introvert—well into my 30s, in fact. I just thought I was weird. Honestly, I figured preferring books over parties and fantasizing about Irish-goodbyeing every social event was just a personality quirk. Turns out, it’s a whole mode of being.

But I wouldn’t recommend waiting as long as I did to figure it out. Recognizing the signs earlier can save you from years of confusion—and maybe also from trying to “fix” yourself by forcing awkward small talk at happy hour. Trust me, you're probably not a complete freak. You’re just wired differently.

So for my introverted extended family, or those who just want to get a better insight into our behavior and tendencies, here is my list of the classic signs of an introverted individual. Enjoy!

1. Time Alone is Your Elixir

Introverts need alone time the way fish need water and birds need air. Birds can’t fly in the ocean, and fish can’t swim in the sky (unless, of course, you’re on some next-level psychedelic trip). Solitude is our natural element—a non-negotiable.

As an introvert, your world thrives in the inner dimension. Without time to yourself, you can’t connect with who you are or process the absurd amount of information life throws at your brain on a daily basis. Too much socializing—smiling, nodding, and entertaining the whims of extroverts—will drain you faster than a Duracell bunny with a cracked ass. Protect your solitude like it’s the last slice of pizza on the table.

2. You’re the Go-To Listener

As an introvert, you naturally gravitate toward the listener’s seat in conversations. People might even call you an excellent listener—probably because you don’t interrupt their life stories with your own commentary. But beware: this power comes with its own kryptonite.

Immature extroverts (the ones who still haven’t found their own pause button) can treat you like a verbal punching bag, unloading their mental clutter with the enthusiasm of someone hosting a one-person festival. So, while listening is your strength, don’t forget your boundaries—or risk being stuck in an eternal loop of monologues.

3. You’re Frequently Misunderstood

Introverts are often misunderstood. Since you project far less information into the external world, people might find you hard to read—like a Shakespearean soliloquy or IKEA furniture assembly instructions. Some might even mistake your thoughtful silence for…well, being a mute. It has happened to me several times.

The truth is, you’re not mute; you’re just……selective. Why shout your thoughts into the void when most of the noise out there is fucking bullshit anyway? Unfortunately, this can make it tricky for others to relate to you—especially those who equate quiet with boring. But hey, their loss. Not everyone can appreciate a classic novel over a comic strip.

4. You’re a Master of the Outer Fringe

At social gatherings, you instinctively gravitate toward the edges of the action—walls, corners, banisters, chairs tucked into shadowy alcoves. Anywhere but the center of the room, where the spotlight-loving extroverts roam like free-range chickens.You’re not avoiding people exactly; ah who am I kidding, you probably are. But why compete for attention when the wall offers stability, a view of the entire room, and zero risk of being dragged into an impromptu dance circle? Call it strategic positioning. Extroverts may have the limelight, but introverts own the corners—and let’s be honest, that’s where the food, alcohol and exits are anyway.

5. Animals > Humans

Let’s face it—sometimes animals just make better company than humans. They don’t talk your ear off, demand small talk, or ask awkward questions about your job or weekend plans. As an introvert, you may even feel like you have a telepathic connection with them.

Dogs? They get your need for quiet companionship. Cats? They respect your personal space. Birds? They serenade you without expecting a duet. Meanwhile, humans can barely understand that “I’m busy” means “leave me the fuck alone.” Honestly, animals just get you. Plus, they’re way better at keeping secrets.

6. You have an eye for details

As an introvert, you pick up on details others completely miss—like subtle shifts in body language and the subtext to conversations. This superpower makes introverts fantastic writers, artists, and observers of the human condition.

But with great power comes…a massive thorn in the ass. You can spot people’s true intentions long before anyone else, and sometimes, ignorance really is bliss. It’s like having X-ray vision, but instead of bones, you’re seeing the skeletons in everyone’s closet.

8. Boundaries? What Are Those?

As an introvert, you might struggle with setting boundaries—especially when it comes to saying “no.” Maybe it’s because you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, or maybe it’s because you’d rather avoid the confrontation altogether. Either way, you might find yourself agreeing to things you really don’t want to do.

The result? You end up overcommitting, drained, and daydreaming about your couch while stuck at yet another social gathering you wish you’d skipped. But hey, learning to say “no” is a superpower in itself—and once you master it, you’ll feel like a boundary-setting ninja.

9. Your Secret Talents Could Blow Minds

As an introvert, you might be hiding some seriously insane talents that no one—not even your family—knows about. Maybe you can play the piano like a concert virtuoso, write poetry that could bring people to tears, or whip up a five-star meal without breaking a sweat.

Why doesn’t anyone know? Well, you’re not exactly shouting it from the rooftops. Introverts tend to keep their skills under wraps until the perfect moment—or until someone accidentally stumbles upon them. But when your talents do come to light, prepare for jaws to drop and people to wonder, “How did we not know this all along?”

9. Public Speaking = Your Worst Nightmare

For an introvert, the mere thought of public speaking can be enough to trigger a full-blown panic attack. Standing in front of a crowd, all eyes on you, with nowhere to hide? No thanks.

It’s not that you don’t have anything to say—it’s just that saying it in front of a group feels like being thrown to the wolves. Your brain races, your palms sweat, and suddenly, you’re questioning every life choice that led you to this moment.

But here’s the twist: when you do muster the courage, you can blow people away. Introverts tend to be thoughtful communicators, and your words carry weight. Just, you know, let us hyperventilate in the corner first.

10. Your Imagination is a Universe of Its Own

Introverts often have incredibly rich inner worlds, filled with vivid daydreams, creative ideas, and endless “what-if” scenarios. While extroverts are busy sharing their every thought out loud, you’re off mentally scripting an Oscar-worthy movie or solving life’s mysteries while staring at a blank white wall.

The downside? Sometimes your imagination gets a little too creative, and suddenly you’ve overanalyzed a two-second conversation into a full-blown existential crisis. But hey, that’s the price of having a brain that’s basically a 24/7 Netflix subscription, complete with drama, comedy, and the occasional horror film.

Conclusion: Embrace Your Inner Introvert

So, there you have it: being an introvert isn’t a flaw; I mean it is sometimes but it’s also a beautifully complex mode of being. Sure, you might dodge phone calls like Neo dodges bullets, or silently analyze the social dynamics of a party from the safety of the table. But you’re also the person who notices the little things, treasures the quiet moments, and holds a universe of crazy ideas inside your head.

Introverts may not always be the loudest in the room, but when we do speak—or create, or act—our impact can be very meaningful. So next time someone asks why you’re so quiet, just smile and know: the world would be boring as hell without people like us. Plus, someone has to keep the corners warm.