He suddenly collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, and since then, his health has only worsened. He is unconscious, in a vegetative state. All he complained about earlier that morning, before the unfortunate event unfolded, was mere fatigue, and as usual, he didn't pause the 'hussle' until it mussled his health. "The grind must continue" is the hyperused phrase on the lips of individuals with a barrage of responsibilities in this part of the world, but little did they know that the grind would even go on without them - Their employer is not as nice as they thought, it's all transactional to them, and neither are they irreplaceable. The people they want to fend, the bills they need to pay, the fortune they desperately desire, will remain mere wishes or dreams when their nonchalant attitude towards their health lands them in a hospital and even worse, a cemetery.
This is a true-life story of a young man whose life was unintentionally paused by him because of how much he shrugged off non-severe symptoms of his declining health condition. I stumbled on this post on a friend's social media feed, where he narrated the story. I felt a surging emotion of sadness while reading it, and I wished, "If only he had paused and taken some time for himself" and said, "Life can continue to revolve, but I'll catch up with it after taking some ME TIME ".
I’ve always been the type of person who prioritizes finding a balance between work and life. Throughout this journey, I ensure that my mental health remains intact. That's why I often let go of many things—people, places, and job offers—if they negatively affect my mental well-being.
Sometimes, people perceive me as quiet, but I'm not really that. I’m simply someone who prioritizes her mental and emotional peace and desires a calm environment around me. I often remind myself to take life easy: to pause when things get tough and to take breaks when challenges arise. After all, while we strive to achieve our goals and pursue our purpose, maintaining mental stability is essential for reaching those dreams and ambitions.
At home, we learned to share responsibilities from a young age so that no one would be overburdened with them. Every one of us has their chores and most times don't need to be reminded before discharging them. I see myself continuing this practice in the near future, so that everyone contributes to the smooth running of the home without getting physically and mentally stressed, and feels more grounded and less overwhelmed.
The Picture Is Mine!
