The Shift from High Achievement to Simple Fulfillment: My Personal Journey

When I was a teenager, my life was a whirlwind of activity. I was what you might call a high achiever – someone who juggled multiple responsibilities and excelled at them. My days were packed with school, music lessons (violin, music theory, composition), ballet, and participation in folk bands. I was also a babysitter, a math tutor, a volleyball player, and a scout. From the outside, it seemed like I had it all figured out, but the reality was far different.

The Pressure of Achievement

Despite all the accolades and accomplishments, I didn’t feel fulfilled. In fact, I felt weighed down by the constant pressure to do more, to be more. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy some of these activities – I did, some of them – but the sense of obligation overshadowed any joy I might have found in them. It felt like I had to do it all, not like I got to do it all. The satisfaction of high grades, the thrill of a well-played violin piece, the camaraderie of a folk band – it all felt empty because it was driven by external expectations, not internal passion.

The Shift to Simple Fulfillment

Fast forward to now, and my life looks very different. In the past few months, I haven’t been ticking off a long list of achievements or racking up accolades. Instead, I’ve been going for walks, taking my meds, volunteering a bit, supporting people on the Vent app, planning my future with my fiancé, and being there for my best friends. On paper, it might not look like much, but for the first time in a long time, I feel fulfilled.

Starting this blog has been a particularly rewarding experience. It’s something I’m truly passionate about, something I’ve chosen for myself. I can’t wait to see it grow – to set up a newsletter, track how many people are reading, and connect with others through my writing. I’m achieving something that feels meaningful to me, and that’s a feeling I never quite captured during those years of relentless achievement.

The Desire for More

Yet, even in this fulfillment, there’s a part of me that still craves more. I want to go back to university, volunteer with a cat rescue team, maybe even help out at a food bank. These desires aren’t driven by a need to prove myself or to live up to anyone’s expectations. They come from a genuine place of wanting to grow, learn, and contribute in ways that align with who I am now.

Understanding My Worth Beyond Achievement

It’s taken me a long time to realize that my worth isn’t based on how much I do or how many achievements I accumulate. Growing up, I was conditioned to believe that my value was tied to my productivity, and it’s been a tough belief to shake. Even now, I sometimes struggle with feeling like I’m not doing enough, like I’m not enough. But I’m learning to redefine what it means to be “enough.”

For me, being enough means living a life that feels true to who I am, not one that meets someone else’s standards. It means finding joy in the little things, being present for the people I love, and pursuing passions that genuinely fulfill me. It means acknowledging that sometimes, rest and simplicity are just as valuable as hard work and achievement.

Moving Forward with Balance

As I move forward, I’m aiming to find a balance between ambition and fulfillment. I want to achieve more, yes, but I want those achievements to be meaningful, to come from a place of passion rather than obligation. I’m learning to be kinder to myself, to appreciate the value of the small things, and to recognize that true success isn’t just about what you do, but how you feel while doing it.

I hope that by sharing my journey, others who feel the pressure to constantly achieve can find comfort in knowing that it’s okay to slow down, to redefine success on your own terms, and to seek fulfillment in whatever way feels right for you.