The Race of Opportunity, The Race of Changes

This article is about realizing the importance of slowing down, prioritizing self-growth, and balancing life beyond the monotony and pressures of work in your early 20s.

Life in your early 20s feels like an endless race. There’s a rush inside—a constant need to achieve, to prove something, to run ahead in a competition we don’t even remember signing up for. For the past two months, I found myself tangled in this rush. My days had dissolved into a monotonous loop: wake up, go to work, come home, make dinner, watch a series, and repeat. A rigid routine, with no space for myself or joy, left me feeling empty and disconnected from the person I wanted to be.  

One day, I broke.  

It wasn’t a dramatic moment but a slow buildup that burst out in frustration and tears. I realized I was burning through my early 20s—years meant for self-discovery, exploration, and memories—not by living, but by merely surviving. My job, instead of being a stepping stone toward a better life, had started to consume my sense of self. The irony hit me hard: I was working to make a better life, but in the process, I was not living at all.  

It was in that moment of breakdown that clarity struck. Jobs are not life; they are tools to support it. They are meant to provide the resources and opportunities for us to live well, but they should not replace living itself.  

I decided to pause and recalibrate. I reminded myself that this race, this pressure to succeed, is not about speed but sustainability. It’s okay to slow down, to wait until your heart is ready, and to let life unfold at its natural pace.  

 Patience is Power

At my age, I believe this is a universal feeling. We’re all trying to make sense of our purpose, navigating through career pressures, personal expectations, and societal timelines. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to run at someone else’s pace. Life is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. And like any long journey, it requires patience, self-awareness, and breaks.  

So, to anyone in their 20s feeling this same rush, I urge you: stop for a moment. Listen to your inner self. Ask what you truly want—not just for the next day or month, but for the kind of life you wish to build. Let go of the temporary frustrations of a job or a phase, and focus on building habits and memories that feed your soul.  

After all, we do jobs so we can live better—not so they become the entirety of our lives. In the race of opportunity and change, remember to breathe, reflect, and occasionally step out of the track to enjoy the view. You owe it to yourself.