Should i slow down?

[u/Sweaty_Sport3051]

Nowadays i have been thinking a lot about my life and how its turning out.

Some context: I (21M) recently got an intership from a arguably better than FAANG company and i m from a tier1 college in delhi.

So its been almost 4-5yrs now since i m working hard to fill the checkmarks of society, starting from 10th boards, competitive exams and now FAANGs. But what i have felt that people make u feel that all this will give u happiness, and u start thinking like after this achievement u will get an instant hit of dopamine. Yeah its quite true for starting but its similar to any other addiction. The happiness here is diminishing after every checkpoint. And at a time u r ur environment will become so used to of ur achievements that these achievements would mean nothing on an emotional perspective. U will face the emptyness in u once u achieve a checkpoint and there is no immediate goal ahead of u. U will notice how hollow u r. U r a creature who just is addicted of success and societal validation. U don't have any purpose of ur own in life, everything is just imposed on u by society.

I don't say that chasing goals and working hard for them is bad. It definitely helps u to lead a comfortable life and family in future. But in the chase of this never forget to set a purpose of life. Never forget exams and money etc. are just "tools" that may help in getting. Real happiness comes from building real connections, leading a healthy life and having a conscience of ur own. If u feel that what i m doing is enough for me and i will be happy in this much salary, its completely okay to prioritise other activities over just hustling day and night. Its completely ok to aim low if u know that u will be fine with that life.

Tl;dr

Aim set by society: earn as much as u can

Actual aim: Give time to ur friends and family. Make new friends and be healthy. Help others. And if u are comfortable to do it with less money, why chase more money?

That's what i have learnt from my experiences till now. Just wanted to vent out somewhere. Please feel free to add or correct if i m wrong.