Life is You vs. You | Weekbook #9

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this blog may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product through this link, I may earn a small...

January 22nd, 2023

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this blog may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product through this link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, the reader. Thank you for your support.

Since the dawn of humanity competitive spirit has been fundamental to survival. To gather enough food to stay alive, it was essential to beat the competition. To reproduce and ensure the survival of your DNA, it was essential to be the most attractive mate. With tens of thousands of years following this strategy, it is no wonder that competitiveness remains a core part of modern society — but is it the only way to approach life?

If you’re lucky enough to have your physiological and safety needs met [1], it is likely that you don’t need to rely on your competitive nature for the very reason it was formed. Instead, the competition often comes in other forms; friendship groups, sports, careers. However, is this out of necessity or biological habit? There is a strong case to support the latter.

To truly explore this topic, it is essential to ponder a question that has plagued the mind’s of philosophers for centuries; what is the meaning of life? Is it to find happiness? To simply survive? To spend time wisely? The truth is that it doesn’t matter. What matters is the common denominator to all of these questions, they are entirely individualistic.

With that in mind, why do we spend our whole lives focused on those around us and how we compare? Lusting after the flashy car, the big house, the lavish lifestyle and jealousy inducing career. Perhaps it is because we haven’t shifted our mindset to the true competition in life, the one against ourselves.

Adopting this mindset is incredibly powerful. Rather than the irrelevant expectations of others, the expectation on yourself becomes what matters. The choices you make don’t have to be justified, providing you are comfortable with any consequences. Most importantly, it enables you to spend your time on crafting a life that you are satisfied with, whatever that means to you. No longer will you be weighed down by the competitive expectation that society places upon you.

In truth, life is a single player game. Whilst there are other players, their progress through their own story is independent from your own. This is your journey, only you can choose where to take it.

Book Notes

I am currently reading Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life.

To some, Jordan is a controversial character, often providing the foundation for heated debates in social media comment sections and in society more broadly. However, I believe that one must be prepared to listen to those we may disagree with to avoid forming incomplete opinions.

  • “People who live by the same code are rendered mutually predictable to one another.”

  • “We are not happy, technically speaking, unless we see ourselves progressing — and the very idea of progression implies value.”

  • “There is nothing so certain that it cannot vary.”

  • “The acts of life we repeat every day need to be automised. They must be turned into stable and reliable habits, so they lose their complexity and gain predictability and simplicity.”

Try This Podcast

Ending Quote

“The reality is life is a single-player game. You’re born alone. You’re going to die alone. All of your interpretations are alone. All your memories are alone. You’re gone in three generations and nobody cares. Before you showed up, nobody cared. It’s all single-player” — Naval Ravikant

Thank you for reading Here to Where. If you enjoyed reading this post, please share it.

Reference Material