“When a person can’t find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure.” – Victor Frankl
This quote is enough to make any materialist or binge-watcher uneasy. Nothing against moderate pleasures, but it makes a lot of sense.
We’re often afraid of thinking so we distract ourselves with indulgences. And we distract ourselves with work when we’re too terrified of taking on other responsibilities.
Who knows, maybe at our deepest core, we’re afraid of asking ourselves what is it that we really want.
And it’s a valid point
I haven’t had much leisure lately.
When I get time, I make a choice between reading or scrolling through YouTube. Or I walk out to get some fresh air but return where my laptop is.
The mixed pattern of working and finding spare time is like anyone else’s. But do I have enough time to look inwards and introspect deeply? Not as often.
The same may be the case with you.
This monotony can be concerning
“Is this how I want to go on in life, mindlessly?”
This question stays at the back of my head, nibbling on my attention, and reminding me that there’s more to life.
It’s usually difficult for me to go on with daily activities without untangling my thoughts. I must pause, reflect, and check if I must stir up a change.
I need a breather, not just physical but rather an emotional one to recover. Otherwise, I feel nothing more than a programmed robot that does what’s it’s meant to do anyway.
Stuff gets done, days pass, and I may enjoy myself too – but that doesn’t necessarily bring in the desired satisfaction. It’s the ‘meaning’ part that I yearn for and admire.
Concisely, this
It’s easier to go through life without answering the questions that our intuition poses. But is the avoidance worth it?
For now, I have the lid on. I’m curious what happens when I loosen my hold on it.