Hey,
Just wanted to write this brief blog post here for you before I release the long-awaited new episode of ‘The Highly Sensitive Journey’ podcast in the upcoming week.
So What’s Up?
Well… today it’s Friday!! And I’m not going to party tonight.
“WHAAATT, what’s wrong with you man??”
Yeah, that’s a typical response I get if I’m asked what I do on a Friday night – and I answer that I’m NOT partying AT ALL.
I DON’T know if it’s just about the fact that I’m an HSP (highly sensitive person), an introvert (someone who likes to enjoy quiet time to recharge his ‘battery’), have been going through a lot of self development to become a better person myself (including a massive change of priorities as a result), or that I’m simply Mario Montreal (just kiddin’)…
I DON’T know what it is that makes people look forward to things like the weekend or let’s say ‘work-free time.’
Probably because it’s just that.
Enjoying the free-time they finally get after working for 5 days in a row doing a draining job they completely hate – dealing their precious time for cash… and 2 days of freedom.
However, I DO know that I’m not enjoying this kind of stuff.
I don’t enjoy talking with a group of strangers … in an environment I don’t know & can’t control … where the level of noise and music (well, sometimes both are the same) is way too loud … drinking stuff that’s harming my body and making me lose control (perhaps throwing up), doing stupid things, and waking up the next morning FULL OF regrets and discomfort.
If you haven’t noticed I’m talking bout partying here. (Just my 2 cents.)
No, but no thanks!
And even if it’s just a fun night out chillin’ and chillaxin’…
I never got what’s so inspiring when you have nothing to do and just ‘chillaxe.’
It’s pretty boring, isn’t it?
At least, for me. Sooner than later I want to do something meaningful… I don’t wanna waste my time.
It doesn’t have to be work (though I love to create and that’s something I do most of my time, thus working long hours that doesn’t feel like hard work anymore) …
…BUT, at least, something that’s meaningful to me like a good plain old chat with a good friend in a good (quiet!) place.
So, what is it you find meaningful?
What would you love doing tonight?
What would you love experiencing?
Go do that.
If it’s reading a book, do that.
If it’s taking a walk, do that.
If it’s (fill in the blank), do that!
Don’t be afraid of what others may say to you or think of you.
- I found out they don’t really think of you, because guess what most people are thinking about most of the time? Themselves! Yep. How they appear to others, what others may think of THEM. See the paradox here?
- I don’t like to say this phrase, but it’s so true: You only live once (or YOLO). If you died tonight, would you care if someone makes fun of you that you simply stay true to who you are? That you’re doing activities that are fun to YOU?
I go a step further: That you live YOUR LIFE? - You don’t need to justify or apologize for who you are.
And since you can’t change the essence of who you are, you better appreciate yourself and decide what you really want to do … what it is that really makes you happy.
If partying makes you happy after an extensive day of (hopefully productive) work … then, great! Go do that. But if not, don’t feel like you have to.
Because you DON’T.
Decide today what truly makes YOU happy and go do that.
If you take that piece of advice to heart, my job is done here.
Thank you,
–Mario
P.S. It’s funny: Since I’ve studied successful people in my free-time and were able to work with, receive mentorship from and network with six and seven figure earners in my professional life … I got the following EPIPHANY:
Successful people in ANY area of life (ok here it’s finances, but it applies to any area) are doing the opposite of what everybody else is doing.
So, how is that relevant to you now?
Here it is:
If you feel guilty about not doing what all the people around you are doing, know that you’re on the right track. Why?
Because you’re questioning things, and you’re not doing what everybody else is doing!
You’re doing what’s right for you.
I believe –as highly sensitive people (HSP)– we got to stand out and be ourselves.
That’s our mission. We got to decide to show up as our most authentic selves!
In turn we’ll function as excellent role models for our HSP community and make the world a better place, while also feeling better about ourselves and our lives.
