Over the years, I've learned to redefine success, and I'm grateful for this shift in perspective. Coming from an academic background, I was often caught up in a relentless pursuit of numerous milestones. This led to harsh self-criticism that words can't fully capture. Despite my efforts to avoid comparison, I constantly felt the pressure to do everything right, leading to a perpetual sense of falling behind. This isn't unique to academia; it's a widespread experience across various fields.

We need to pause and ask ourselves: Who are we racing against, and why are we even running this race? Is it necessary to run, or can we walk at our own pace and still reach our goals? More importantly, is this race genuinely aligned with our dreams, or are we merely following the crowd without questioning our path?

While revisiting my old diary, I found a note from my former roommate quoting Lord Krishna: "Shreshth nahi Uttam bano" (Don’t strive to be the best, strive to be excellent). This profound wisdom resonates deeply with me, emphasizing the importance of seeking excellence over superiority. I hope we all learn and implement this invaluable lesson.

Success can be personalized. It's high time we stop forcing ourselves into a one-size-fits-all mold, like ready-made garments.

Hope you have a great day.

© Sarah✨️