“How often have we said, “I want to do what I want to do,” to our friends and family? While I don’t have scientific data behind this claim, I’m fairly certain that 99% of the population has echoed this sentiment at some point in their lives.
We often attend school, graduate, and then promptly land in a job, hoping it aligns with our studies. I count myself among the lucky few who landed a job directly related to my college studies. For years, I thrived in my role, building wireless transmitters that transformed microphones into wireless wonders. My passion for technology and hands-on work was evident. But as time went on, a nagging feeling of something being “off” persisted.
Initially, I thought it was about money. If I could just climb the corporate ladder, buy more stuff, then surely, I’d find happiness, right?
But the real challenge was deeper. The first step to understanding what we genuinely want is to become more self-aware. And before we can do that, it’s crucial to ascertain whether we’re perpetually operating in ‘stress mode.’ Many don’t realize they’re submerged in stress because it’s become their norm. When all your energy is spent managing this stress, there’s little left for personal growth or even basic observation. To truly understand our desires and our surroundings, we need to free up mental space.
So, how do we break the cycle? The key is learning to downregulate our nervous system—a term that might sound foreign but is essentially about slowing down our minds. This pause provides the room to observe without judgment. While various techniques can help achieve this, from yoga to meditation, a simple and effective starting point is intentional breathing. Just one deliberate, deep breath can regulate stress responses, offering a clearer perspective on our environment and ourselves.
By mastering the art of calming our nervous system, we foster awareness. And with this newfound awareness, we gain the power to choose, leading us closer to doing what we truly desire.”