Do you live your life or just follow a routine?
I always feel that life is an endless cycle of responsibilities. Waking up everyday, preparing myself for another busy day, fulfilling my duties, attending to the people who need me, and eventually going to bed, only to do everything all over and over again the next morning. Sometimes, I become so occupied with my daily responsibilities that I forget to ask myself a simple question if am I really living my life, or am I just following a routine?
Perhaps I would confidently say that I still live my life, even with all the responsibilities I carry every single week
My weekdays are usually filled with work and responsibilities. From Monday to Friday, I am at school serving as a School Head. It is a position that requires commitment, patience, decision-making, and the ability to deal with different situations. There are meetings to attend, documents to prepare, teachers to guide, learners to look after, and unexpected concerns that need immediate attention. Sometimes, even after class hours, my mind is still occupied with things that need to be accomplished.
When Saturday comes, my role changes. Instead of spending my day in school administration, I become a part time professor handling classes for Graduate Studies students. It is another responsibility that I truly enjoy because teaching and sharing knowledge allow me to connect with people who are also working hard to achieve their academic goals.
And then there is Sunday. While some people consider it their day to rest, mine is sometimes spent serving as a panel member or thesis adviser during research defenses. Listening to presentations, checking manuscripts, providing recommendations, and helping graduate students improve their research have also become part of my weekly activities.
Looking at my schedule, someone might probably say that I barely have time for myself.
Honestly, there are moments when I feel tired and exhausted, too. I am not going to pretend that managing all these responsibilities is always easy. There are days when I just want to sit quietly, disconnect from everything, and enjoy a little peace.
But here is something I have learned. Being busy does not necessarily mean that I have stopped living.
I realized that life cannot be measured only by how much time I have, but by how I use the little moments available to me.
Whenever I feel like going somewhere, I allow myself to do it. If I suddenly want to visit a coffee shop, enjoy my favorite drink, or spend a little time in a beautiful place surrounded by nature, I try not to make too many excuses. I do not always need a special occasion, a long vacation, or a perfect plan to enjoy something. I even file for a wellness leave.
The photos that I am sharing today reminds me of one of those simple pleasures.
Sometimes, all I need is a cup of coffee and a comfortable place where I can breathe.
Sitting inside a cozy coffee shop, with a refreshing drink in front of me and beautiful greenery outside the glass windows, feels like pressing a pause button in the middle of a busy life.
There is something comforting about these little coffee shop visits. I can sit, enjoy my drink, observe my surroundings, and allow my thoughts to wander without worrying about the next task waiting for me. For a while, I am not thinking about school documents, administrative concerns, classroom responsibilities, or research manuscripts. I am simply enjoying the present moment.
I also find happiness in visiting places where nature is present and even more relaxing with my comfort food.
Green surroundings, fresh air, beautiful landscapes, and peaceful destinations have a way of refreshing my mind. Sometimes, an unplanned trip becomes one of the most memorable experiences just like what I shared in my previous blog. In fact, hapiness can be found in discovering a new place, taking photographs, enjoying good food, or simply appreciating the beauty around me.
I do not want my life to become a checklist of responsibilities.
Yes, I have commitments, and I take them seriously. I love what I do, and I understand that every role comes with expectations. However, I also understand that I have a life beyond my professional titles.
I am not just a School Head. I am not just a professor, a panel member, or an adviser. I am not just a teacher. I am also a person who wants to explore, appreciate beautiful places, enjoy good coffee, take photographs, and create memories.
For me, living life means knowing when to work hard and when to give myself permission to enjoy something. It means being responsible without forgetting my own happiness. It means understanding that rest is not a waste of time and that it is already a good enough reason.
Perhaps the secret is not to escape my routines completely. So, do I live my life or just follow a routine?
My answer is simple. I do both, but I make sure that my routine does not take away my opportunity to live.
Because someday, when I look back, I do not want to remember only the meetings I attended, the documents I completed, or the responsibilities I fulfilled. I also want to remember the places I visited, the coffee I enjoyed, the beautiful views I witnessed, and the moments when I allowed myself to simply be happy.
And today, I choose to live it.