What Is a Normal Life Anyway?
What Is a Normal Life Anyway?
“I’d just like to live a normal life.”
How many times have I asked myself this? Is it just me, or are there more of us out there wondering the same thing? What does "normal" even mean? Because if we’re talking about the traditional definition—a married couple, two kids, a dog, and a white picket fence—that was never really part of my plan. I didn’t grow up with that strong paternal instinct–- I actually wanted to live a fast-paced corporate life as a creative executive at an ad agency. Oh my…
So I guess it comes down to comparison, doesn’t it? We see these snapshots of other people’s lives—on TV and social media, at our work, even in our own families—and we start to measure ourselves against them. "Am I missing something?" we ask. "Is this what it’s supposed to be like?" “Why aren’t I like that?” “What am I doing wrong?”
For most of my adult life I’ve been measuring myself against this vague, societal idea of what a "normal" life should be, and, frankly, it’s exhausting. I look at others and wonder how they seem to have it all figured out, while my life feels more like a series of twists and turns. A destructive ‘marriage’, layoffs here, a health scare there… and one day I realize this path I’m on has had some dead ends. Not saying I’m not at fault for some of the wrong turns on this journey– because I’ll own it - I’ve made several poor choices over my years.
But, have I ever imagined my life going a certain way? Not really –I’ve always been a bit of a free spirit, —until the burning sage guided me straight into a whirlwind of challenges I never saw coming. For real! I saged my house for peace, prosperity, and to reject evil just two weeks before the total upheaval of my life. And any idea of "normal" was sucked right up the chimney. So now I’m finding my way again.
But here’s the thing: I don’t think many people are living that perfectly curated, "normal" life anyway. The more I talk with people, the more I realize that everyone has their own version of chaos, their own behind-the-scenes struggles, their own ‘crazy’. And we all seem to be asking the same question: "Am I doing life right?"
Maybe I’ve been asking the wrong question all along. Instead of seeking some sort of "normalcy," maybe it’s time to redefine what that even means for me. What if my version of normal is simply figuring out what makes me feel fulfilled and at peace, without comparing my life, my anything, to anyone else?
Because when I strip away the comparisons, I realize that what I want isn’t to fit into a mold but to live a life that feels authentic to me. It might not look "normal" by traditional standards, but maybe that’s okay. Maybe it’s more than okay. Maybe it’s just life—my life.