Hard Questions to Ask Yourself inspired by Angely Dub’s Life in Progress Podcast

My answers to Angely Dub’s “Hard Questions to Ask Yourself” podcast episode (Life in Progress).

1. How do you define success?

Growing up, I’ve always believed that success meant graduating from University, getting a good job, and earning enough money to live a comfortable life. Now, that I’ve achieved that, I think that success means more than just a degree, a job, and money. Success is surviving the struggles in life to get to where you are in life now. When people say it’s not about the end goal, but about the journey, I completely agree. I think the journey weighs more than the end result.

2. Is there anything you know you should let go of but you haven’t yet and why?

I need to let go of items that no longer make me happy or add value to my life. I have been hoarding many things because I’m so scared to get rid of things I spent money on. But the more cluttered my room gets, the more distracted I get. It kind of feels like a weight on my shoulders and I can barely move. I haven’t gotten rid of a lot of them because of sentimental value as well. I always think “Someone from my past gave it to me, they were so kind to give it. It feels wrong to get rid of it.”

Now that I’m writing about it though, what if you’ve been friends with someone for years and now, you’re just two different people, and no longer make each other happy. Do you keep that person in your life because of your history or you let them go, so you can both move on and make other people happy? (WOAHH, I might use this when getting rid of things now haha)

3. Is there anything your job gives you besides money?

ABSOLUTELY YES! I don’t think teachers got into teaching because of money anyways, if you know what I mean.

I’ve always known I wanted to teach ever since I was about 5 years old. At that time, I liked writing on the board and pretending to teach my teddy bears and dolls.

Then, during my teenage years, insecurities and anxiety got the best of me, so I started to consider my options. One time, I wanted to become a writer, and I later realize, I can do that whenever… like what I’m doing now.

But I always went back to wanting to teach. I loved learning and I knew I wanted to share the knowledge I’ve gained to help other people reach their full potential. I believe I’m achieving that with this profession. The best feeling is when you actually see the impact you have as a teacher on many students, and that is something money can’t buy. Is it worth the struggles? Yup!

4. What mistake do you keep making and why do you keep making it?

I still let my emotions make decisions for me. Not all the time though, but I still make that mistake, and I have no one to blame but myself. I’m still working on it.

5. What fears are connected to your pursuit of success?

I guess the fear of getting hurt. However, I know I have control over this, I’m just not good at managing it yet. Getting hurt is just an emotion that you feel because of an incident, but you get to decide if you’re going to focus on that pain and remain hurt longer, or you suck it up and move on.

Like I said earlier, success for me is overcoming the struggles to get to your objective, but in order for that to happen, you have to move. You have to keep moving and take big steps. I think what’s really stopping me is the fear of tripping because I know it will hurt and I don’t feel like going through that again.

It’s hard because you really have to experience that to learn, but often times, we avoid it to avoid getting hurt. I guess we just really need to define our goals, so that we know if it’s worth the pain.

6. What realizations have changed your life or your perspective over the years?

I’ve come to the realization that not everyone are meant to stay in your life. Some just come to teach you something about the world or about yourself, and no matter how your relationship with them ends, you have to be grateful because at the end of the day, you’ve learned something.

7. Are you too hard on yourself or not hard enough?

I am too hard on myself, but I’ve gotten better at congratulating myself when I know I did my best. I used to cry a lot because of small mistakes I’ve made in the past, but now I just tell myself that I’m just a human being, and that I’ll do better next time.

8. Is there anyone or anything you’re jealous of OR what are your insecurities and who is triggering that?

My #1 insecurity has always been my birthmarks despite my family saying it’s a gift to have those birthmarks. Anyone who ever sees it and comments it triggers that insecurity, and I can’t blame them because if something looks different, I’d be curious too. However, it’s up to me to figure out how to handle those comments. I’m working on it!

9. When was the last time you did something outside your comfort zone?

Yesterday, I went out to have a long discussion about life with a friend in-person. That is something that I don’t usually do. I don’t really make plans like that because I like staying home and just texting if I ever want to talk. But I feel like, I needed to get out, meet that person, and be put on the spot. I didn’t have the time needed to think of something to say, and when I was asked a question, I learned that when I couldn’t think of an answer, it could mean that I had to work on that aspect of my life, so that eventually, I figure out what the answer is.

10. Do you ask yourself if you deserve something or someone?

Other people say that I deserve a certain type of person in my life. Some people say that the man I’ll date or marry would be lucky to have me because of how I am as a person. Honestly, I haven’t thought much about the person I deserve in my life. I just know what type of person I don’t want in my life. I also know that I have what I’ve always wanted in life, and at this point, I’m just searching for something that will enhance what I already have.

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