Have you ever looked up at an apartment building and caught brief glimpses of life through the windows? In one, there’s a group of friends having a movie night. In another, a couple is dancing, lost in their own rhythm. Further down, a party rages on, filled with laughter. These fleeting views serve as an important reminder: every person behind those windows is living a full, complex life, entirely separate from our own. We often forget that the world does not revolve solely around us. Stepping back to acknowledge that people are having their own unique experiences at the same time we’re living ours is a beautiful way to appreciate the diversity of human existence.
“Human Beings,” not “Human Doings”
We are all just humans—yes, “just.” And that “just” holds more significance than we may realize. Often, especially in the whirlwind of college life, we become consumed by the weight of our expectations. Academic pressure, social demands, future ambitions—they can make it feel like the world will fall apart if we don’t check off every item on our to-do list. But here’s the truth: your existence is not defined solely by your accomplishments. You are not a “human doing,” you’re a “human being.”
Existing, in and of itself, is enough. While we often measure ourselves by how much we achieve or how fast we climb the ladder, it’s important to remember that just as we pass countless strangers every day without questioning the worth of their lives based on their accomplishments, others pass by us with the same indifference. They recognize us as fellow humans, not as walking résumés.
The reality is, you’re sharing the world with millions of people who are navigating their own struggles, joys and dreams—most of which you’ll never know about. So, if you can release the pressure to perform, to be perfect or to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, you’ll find something liberating: life continues whether or not you conquer every task or meet every expectation. And that’s okay.
The Bigger Picture
By embracing this truth, you can start to free yourself from the burden of feeling like you must always “do more” or “be more.” You can simply live, experience and appreciate the richness of your own journey without feeling like it’s a competition. Because it isn’t.
The world doesn’t revolve around you—and that’s what makes it so beautiful. Tweet us on X with your thoughts at @VALLEYmag!
