How to Live True to Yourself Without Regret or Delay
Living a simple life—what does that really mean? Today, I want to share a few thoughts about building a life that truly speaks to you. Too often, we chase after things just because they’re trendy or because everyone else seems to be doing them. We collect degrees, aim for the most prestigious job, dream of starting a company, making more money, buying the biggest house, having the perfect family, driving the nicest car, or moving to the “ideal” country. But is that really what you want?
The truth is, you need to take time to listen to yourself. Really listen. Get to know yourself. Stand in front of the mirror and ask yourself real questions. Use your own name, as if you were talking to a friend: “Pierre, how do you see yourself in five years? What steps will get you there?” Then, work backwards. Imagine yourself in that future, and rewind step by step to today. What would it take to get there?
Picture a lifestyle you could repeat forever. When we’re young, we often think we want a life full of parties, lots of friends, always going out. But if you did that every day, would it really make you happy? Probably not.
For me, I find joy in small things—like developing an app. I use AI, especially OpenAI and DALL-E 3, to create my app. I even generated images of pasta because, well, I love pasta! These little achievements make me proud. They might seem small, but they bring me real happiness. Sometimes, there are bugs to fix—like undefined values in my code—but solving them is part of the process.
The point is, do things that make you happy. Do things you love. Do things that make you feel alive. It sounds cliché, but it’s true. When you do what really matches your own desires, you stop living to impress others—especially people you don’t even care about. Too many people live a life that’s chosen or shaped by others, without ever asking themselves the right questions. One day, maybe in ten or twenty years, you might wake up and realize it’s too late.
Time never stops. It’s like a train that never slows down. You can’t go back. Time is the most precious resource we have. So act now. Make the right choices now, so you can have a life that fits you—a life you love. A life that makes you say, “Wow, this is really the kind of life that makes me feel alive.”
If the path is beautiful, don’t ask where it leads. Just enjoy the journey.
— André Gide
We only have one life. We’re here for a limited time—sometimes shorter than we think. The real goal in life is to be happy. If the journey is good, you don’t worry about the destination. Enjoy life as it is.
Ask yourself the right questions, as if you were talking to your best friend. What do you really want? What makes you happy? What would you like to do more of? What would you like to do less of?
I know from experience that life can change in an instant. Not long ago, I had a bad fall. I broke my nose, ended up on crutches, and even broke a tooth. I used to have perfect teeth, but now I have to visit the dentist. You never know what might happen. We always think these things happen to other people—until they happen to us. Then we wonder why we waited so long to chase our dreams.
Don’t put off your dreams. There’s no better time than today. If you think you’ll have more time or money in the future, you’re probably wrong. If something is important to you, start now. The best day is today.
Every evening, ask yourself: What did I do today that made me happy? What didn’t I like? Write it down. The next morning, look at your list. Decide what you want to do more of, and what you want to stop doing. Day by day, you’ll improve your life. It’s a snowball effect. Over time, your days and your standards will get better—and that will change everything.
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.
— Chinese Proverb
Key Takeaways
- Listen to yourself and build a life that truly fits you, not one shaped by others.
- Time is your most precious resource—don’t waste it chasing things that don’t matter to you.
- Small daily actions and reflections can lead to big changes in your happiness.
- Life is unpredictable; don’t wait for the “perfect” moment to start living the way you want.
Action Steps
- Tonight, write down what made you happy today and what didn’t.
- Tomorrow, review your list and decide what to repeat and what to avoid.
- Start taking small steps toward the life you really want—today.
Reflection
- What do I truly want from my life?
- Am I living for myself, or to impress others?
- What’s one small thing I can do today to move closer to my ideal life?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Authenticity #Carpe Diem #Living Without Regrets #Money #Self-Discovery #Simple Living #Tasks #Tech