One day, I got an unexpected call from one of my close friends who stays away from the phone mostly. We have the sort of equation where we talk only once or twice a year but we really care for each other. So, we were updating each other about what’s going on in our lives and all of a sudden, he came up with this lovely, meaningful line, “What’s the point of just surviving when you are not living?”

This really pushed me into a deep thought, “Are we living or just surviving?”

Honestly, how many of us are stuck in this 9 to 5 rut that we don’t have time to make ourselves feel something special. I have seen people who treat life as a collection of day-to-day activities and something that has to be dealt with. Every one of us has been guilty of accusing life to be pretty messed up at some point or the other. Some people try to cope up with their bitter past by masking away all the feelings. Is it a survival instinct or a coping mechanism? Isn’t life too mesmerizing and too short to just lose it over a ton of monotonous tasks and complaints? Have we forgotten to enjoy the essence of life in a hard-hitting race of survival? Maybe it’s time to hit the pause button on the meaningless race we are running and start thinking.

How do we live instead of just survive?

1. Let go!

We all have made mistakes and make mistakes. We are born to make mistakes and learn from them. Let go of the past. Let go of the guilt.

Do you have any idea what we are? We are just a couple of chemical reactions between a mass of atoms shaped in the form of a human being. In this universe of infinite size and lifetime, we are just an air bubble that can pop any time. So, why bother to make this tiny lifespan miserable? Let go of everything that’s bothering you.

2. Let’s live in the moment.

All we have in our hands is the moment. I know this sounds a bit cliché and repetitive to say. But isn’t it the truth? When we can’t change the past or control the future, why bother to worry about both of them? Live in ‘NOW’.

3. Loosen up a little. Keep the judgmental A-holes as far away as possible.

Almost all of us are scared to do a lot of things thinking about the consequences, what people would say.

Oh the famous, ‘LOG KYA KAHENGE’ line.

People tend to judge too much. But only very few people really care about what makes you happy. So, it’s better to ask the judgmental people to keep their ‘Holier than thou’ attitude to themselves and do what we feel. As long as you feel right about what you do, as long as you can justify the things you do to yourselves, nothing else matters. So, loosen up a little.

4. Give yourself some ‘ME’ time

Ask yourself this one very important question, “Who do you love the most in this world?” I would say, the best answer should be ‘SELF’. Isn’t it? This is not some kind of self-obsession. It is very important to come to terms with who we are and love ourselves. Let’s try to get to know ourselves better. Once in a while, our tired souls need pampering. If you are an introverted person, go read books, sit in peace and watch your favourite TV programs. If you are an outgoing person, go try new things, go to new places, explore new eateries and meet new people. Use the long weekends you have got to recuperate yourself.

5. Do something you have always wanted to do.

Take one step at a time towards what you love to do. Every day, after work, do something that matters to you, at least for ten minutes. Make it a habit so that you feel content that you are doing something you love every day. Trust me, you will feel a lot better with this routine.

6. Enjoy the little things in life.

Remember how we used to lie down under the open sky and count the stars. Wasn’t that amazing? Let’s do it again now. Why not sit under the open sky or on the terrace and watch the sky above and city lights below? Or enjoy a delicious piece of brownie. Or plug in your headphones and get lost in the world of music. We don’t need fancy things to experience the magic of life. All we need is to take a few minutes out and break those moments into frames and take it in like a slow-motion video.

7. Take time for your loved ones.

We tend to neglect or take our loved ones, maybe family, friends or a girlfriend/boyfriend for granted because of our tiring days and busy schedules. But take a few minutes out of your day and call/meet your loved ones. A few minutes of conversation with your loved ones is just what you need on a stressful day.

8. Smile, smile, smile!!

I really can’t emphasize this enough. Make sure you smile from within your heart. Let your smile light up your day and other’s day too. Have you ever tried smiling at a road-side vendor selling fruits or at a waiter who serves you food? Honestly, that makes the day much better. Smile at everyone who you interact with.

It is solely in our hands to make a mess out of the life or savour each moment of it. So, make your choice if you want to keep struggling or start living. Obviously, you are my smart readers. I know what you will choose. Come, let’s start living.