Letter To Myself - 1

Right now, you think you have time. You believe life is a straight road….success, happiness, and meaning waiting for you in the future, as if they are milestones you will naturally reach. But that road is not endless. One day, you will stop looking ahead and realize you’re already standing there. And when that moment comes, you will see that the things you once chased no longer hold the same meaning. The security, the recognition, the achievements….they won’t feel as important anymore. The question will no longer be about what’s next, but who you are. Iba introduced me to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and it makes so much sense. In the beginning, you chase security, stability, and belonging. You work hard to build a solid foundation….because survival and external validation seem like the most important things. And that’s necessary. But once the foundation is built, then what? This is when a shift happens. You begin to look inward. What once drove you no longer does. Success starts to feel less about what you have and more about who you truly are. Maslow says this stage looks different for everyone. Some change their work to align with their values. Others focus on creativity or personal growth rather than external rewards. It’s a shift from seeking achievement to seeking meaning. The truth is, most people never venture into this journey of self-awareness. They stay where it feels safe. But for those who do, life becomes about something deeper….fulfillment. Midlife isn’t a crisis. It’s an awakening. If you feel restless, it’s not a problem to fix….it’s a calling to step into your full self, to embrace not just the version of you that the world sees, but the one you’ve hidden. And so, as I step into this journey of self-actualization, I’ll let you know what I find. But for now, I’ll leave you with this: the things you are chasing now? They are just the beginning. What truly matters is yet to come.