Normality today governs that we don’t know enough. That we need to go to school, then get a job, and follow our manager’s instructions to complete the tasks given to us, and meet deadlines. And somehow, in this process, we lose ourselves completely. We turn into a flock of sheep without a purpose, or direction of their own. We wait for somebody else to tell us what to do. And without them, we feel lost. Ultimately, we become completely dependable on our employer.
Moreover, our choice of work is entirely based on the salary it promises, rather than our passion and desire for it. And we often neglect our innermost desires and dreams, out of fear. Fear not only of not getting a salary at the end of the month, but also of not having that power figure that “keeps us on the right track”.
We end up working towards somebody else’s objectives, chasing their goals, fulfilling their dreams. While, we stay behind.
Nevertheless, we don’t mind that. Because, we feel secure, we feel comfortable.
The paradox, however, is that this so-called security often traps us in lives we don’t actually want. We trade our authenticity for a pay check, our creativity for approval, and our freedom for routine. Deep down, we long for something more meaningful—but we silence that voice because it doesn’t come with guarantees.
Yet, true security is not found in external structures or job titles. It’s found in self-trust—in the quiet confidence that we can adapt, create, and thrive even when the path is uncertain.
We all saw what happened during Covid. Millions of people were laid off unexpectedly—people who had been loyal employees, who believed their jobs were secure, who followed all the rules.
In a matter of days, the illusion of stability disappeared. Suddenly, the “safe” path didn’t feel so safe anymore.
And the people who suffered the most were often the most loyal—those who had dedicated 25, 30, even 35 years of their lives to a single company. They had built their entire identity around their role, trusting that their loyalty would be returned in kind.
But when they were let go, they weren’t just losing a pay check.
They were losing a sense of purpose. A daily routine. A place they thought they belonged.
They lost their guide.
And so many of them became depressed and didn’t know which way to go.
That’s only showing that “security” as we all know it, it’s just an illusion.
The truth is that no matter what, things will keep on changing. And the only way for survival is adaptation.
If we truly want security, we need to learn to rely solely on ourselves. We need to learn to trust ourselves and continue steadily forward.
There is a famous meme. It goes like this:
How To Draw An Owl
Step 1: Draw two ovals.
Step 2: Draw the rest of the owl.
The funny thing is, that the title promises clear instructions on how to draw an owl. However, Step 2 jumps way ahead of Step 1, where from two ovals you are expected to draw a complex and intricate pictura of an owl.
Life is just like that. There is no instruction manual for it. Nobody can ever tell you what are the right steps for you. And looking up to someone else and waiting for their guidance, only takes us further away from our true selves.
But don’t despair!
There’s good news.
Whilst no other person can clearly outline what the right steps towards your dreams are.
There is a hidden guide within each of us, a quiet voice that whispers about our dreams, purpose, and potential. Tune into that voice instead of getting lost in the noise of doubt and distraction. It won’t reveal the entire path at once, but it will gently uncover one step at a time—and that’s more than enough. Each step, no matter how small, brings you closer to the life you’re meant to live.
Trust that inner guide. It has a way of making you realize just how capable you are of navigating life’s changes and challenges. When you listen to it, you’ll find strength and clarity in unexpected places. You’ll see obstacles not as roadblocks, but as opportunities to grow, knowing you have the resilience to move through them. The beauty of this journey is that you don’t have to see the whole picture to take the first step—just trust, and let the path unfold as you go.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
Lao Tzu