Everything Is Your Responsibility, and Life's Short—Embrace It!

#### I mean that in a positive way

Reflection on April 25, 2024: “Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you respond.” Is that really true?

Hey there! How's everything with you? What have you been up to today? Just kidding—I don’t really want to know. I’m merely attempting to engage online like everyone else seems to do, influenced by the endless stream of self-help and productivity posts flooding my social media.

When did the digital realm become dominated by the hustle culture propagated by tech enthusiasts? Just wondering.

I’m part of a one-person wolf pack!

Twitter threads, so profound!

I prefer writing each thought on its own line!

I appreciate bumper stickers!

That’s how these voices come across to me. It baffles me why people pay attention to them. They often have little to say, yet they proclaim it loudly, as if they have a revelation. The Internet is overflowing with this nonsense, and people seem to eat it up.

As someone who enjoys thinking and has a few years of life experience, this phenomenon frustrates me.

The hustle culture advocates share an array of questionable advice about how to navigate life. Work hard, play hard! Go into “monk mode”! Seize the day! Believe, and you’ll achieve! Only positive energy! In summary: an unethical work ethic wrapped in toxic positivity.

A Major Offender: The Law of Attraction

The Law of Attraction suggests that the universe operates like a catalog from which you can order whatever you desire simply by maintaining positive thoughts. Alright, I’m summarizing, but that’s the gist. Positive thinking supposedly leads to favorable outcomes, while negative thoughts yield adverse results.

This sounds nice until you pause and consider it for even a moment.

I truly don’t understand why anyone listens to these individuals. They proclaim loudly and proudly, almost like they’ve found a new religion.

Advocates of the Law of Attraction believe that any misfortune is your own doing. They inhabit a bubble filled with toxic positivity. "Only think happy thoughts." If something unfortunate happens to you, it’s on you. Did you lose your job? You should have been more optimistic. Are you struggling financially? You should have trusted the universe. Faced with illness? More positivity was the answer. Tough luck for you.

As a somewhat cynical person, this viewpoint doesn’t resonate with me. Thus, I suggest a different perspective:

Everything is your responsibility, and life is finite. I mean that in a constructive way.

When I say everything is your responsibility, I don’t mean it in an absolute sense. While yes, life is short, I’m not suggesting you are to blame for everything. Rather, it’s essential to recognize that while the circumstances may not be your fault, taking responsibility for your response is crucial.

Here’s a light-hearted concept for your consideration:

Embrace extreme personal accountability for your life.

This might sound a bit self-help-ish, but it has proven effective for me, and I strive to live by it. The healthiest mindset is to feel no guilt or shame for your circumstances while also claiming full responsibility for your actions. It’s not about blame; it’s about ownership.

You aren’t accountable for the state of the world, but if you do what you can to improve it, then you have no reason to feel guilty.

Remember this: you will eventually die.

Much like the Stoic philosophers that social media influencers often quote but rarely understand, take complete responsibility for every aspect of your life—the good and the bad. This includes everything that isn’t necessarily your fault. Ultimately, you are the only one capable of making changes. Expecting someone else to handle it for you is still your choice. By framing it as ‘your responsibility,’ you empower yourself to take action.

Focus on Personal Responsibility

Life is fleeting. You will die. So, it’s best to take charge and do what you can.

#### And I'm not just rambling

My ideas align with numerous psychological and behavioral theories, supported by scientific research:

It’s all about your Locus of Control. Accepting personal responsibility fosters a sense of control in your life. While you can’t dictate what happens to you, you can control how you react. This mindset promotes motivation, enhances problem-solving abilities, and increases resilience during challenging times.

Self-Determination Theory echoes this sentiment. It emphasizes the importance of feeling in command of your life choices. When you feel in control, you generally experience greater happiness and are more equipped to achieve your goals.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy encourages individuals to modify their thoughts and behaviors, teaching them to take charge of their mental state. This can be particularly beneficial for managing anxiety or depression.

Positive Psychology focuses on happiness and strength, urging individuals to take ownership of their choices to feel more in control and fulfilled. Ah, what a twist—I’m echoing some of the tech bros’ sentiments!

I often say: “You can control your actions, but you can’t dictate others’ reactions.” And conversely: “You don’t control others’ actions, but you can manage your responses.” These concepts shouldn’t be viewed as separate.

What are your thoughts? What do you mean I overanalyze things? I’ll ponder that.

Sometimes I contemplate becoming a satirical motivational speaker, crafting a jumble of marketing buzzwords, clichés, and ideas borrowed from others. Would anyone recognize the satire? Would they get the joke? I worry they wouldn’t.

You exist for a shorter time than you’re gone. The ultimate life hack is to accomplish everything before you’re born and retire upon death. Sign up for my course, and I’ll teach you how.

I used to jokingly refer to my online writing as antisocial media—before it morphed into a chaotic space. So, the humor has definitely worn off.

I previously penned a humorous piece titled ‘Do the Work’ is the Ultimate Lifehack. I still believe that “doing the work” is solid advice. But why continue working once your basic needs are met? Is it boredom or a quest for purpose? I won’t dictate how you should live.

As a child, I thought art revolved around self-expression, unaware that it was more about marketing.

From now on, if anyone inquires, I’m a productivity expert. I’ll instruct you on how to earn money online. Stop procrastinating and pursue the life of your dreams. Stay tuned for updates. Buy my book. Enroll in my course. Please like and subscribe.

Who am I to make such grand statements? I’m no billionaire—I’m just a writer.

I’m a freelance journalist, author, and writer. For those interested, I’m an NCTJ-qualified multimedia journalist. Not that anyone asked. This doesn’t even impress my mum. I come from a working-class background. I’m the first in my family to attend university and earn a degree. I later obtained an MA in Creative Writing, and I’ve been essentially self-employed ever since. In essence: I transform tea into words and words into cash.

Americans are puritanical. They seem more fixated on sex than on guns and violence. It’s perplexing.

Hustle culture advocates utter the most absurd things. If you can’t commit to years of relentless effort with little reward, then you might as well forget about achieving results. Then the audience claps like seals while glued to their phones—YES! WORK HARDER! COMMIT!—before returning to their inaction.

I propose a different interpretation that could yield better results.

If you can’t consistently show up for years—who can these days?—then set aside the urgency for results. Not in the sense that you’ll never achieve them, but let them simmer in the background. Concentrate on the present moment.

Create Without Worrying About Results

Write. Paint. Draw. Create. Whatever it is, disregard the outcome.

Over time, you might find yourself accomplishing an unexpected amount and enjoying the process much more. Focus on the journey, not the destination. On challenging days: brew tea, sit down, and write while sipping it. Then take a walk or engage in different activities. Repeat as needed. On better days: aim to write frequently and early.

As Carol Burnett wisely stated:

> “Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it.”

I appreciate that sentiment. It resonates deeply. However, the math is off. It’s not merely 90%. It’s more accurate to say that life is 100% about your reactions. What befalls you is inconsequential. Don’t let it serve as your excuse or sob story. Be kind and strive to leave the world in better shape than you found it. That’s the essence of it.

For most of your brief existence, you’re likely just meandering.

I openly share my battles with mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. I’m far from perfect. However, I’m also not trying to sell you fairy tales on the Internet. My writing is rooted in my experiences. I suppose I’m a bit unconventional in that regard.

I’ve always aligned more with the ‘Wednesday Addams’ vibe than ‘Summer Vibes,’ but one does what they can.

You exist for a significantly longer time in death than in life. The ultimate life hack is to accomplish everything before your birth and retire at the moment of death.

They say you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

That sounds like far too many individuals to surround yourself with. A cold shower? Not happening. Waking up at 4:00 a.m.? That’s usually when I’m just settling down after a night of curiosity-driven exploration. And no, that’s not a euphemism.

Productivity is a long con. Hustle culture resembles a pyramid scheme.

Work hard, play hard? You’re misunderstanding it!

Productivity is meant for those who lack the wisdom to embrace laziness. Most endeavors aren’t worth the effort. When I need to accomplish something, I do it. I pour my energy into what matters to me and readily abandon anything else if given the chance.

I’m not lazy; I’m simply efficient.

My Productivity Lab is currently closed for a sabbatical. Act now, and you can still preorder any available merchandise from third-party retailers. Sorry, what I meant to convey was: “I’m heading out for a walk. Do you need anything from the store?”

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