RUNNING AT MY PACE

Have you ever found yourself in a state where you can't quite understand what's wrong? A state where everything seems blurry, and you feel like you're running in circles, going nowhere?

In this race of life, where everyone is moving forward while you feel left behind, running but making no progress. But they will tell you, in fact, every day you hear people say, “Run at your own pace, it is not about being the fastest” but your pace often feels lethargic, and you start questioning whether you're making any real progress.

You look around at those who started with you, those you were once behind, and those who were ahead, and you see their growth, whether small or significant. It makes you wonder if you're lost in this journey called life.

You wonder if you are different from them If you need a friend, if you can’t do it alone, if it is even possible. You called for help, but they were too busy to hear you, you screamed for help but it looked like no one could understand you. And then the thought of giving up comes in, comes in like an illusory savior, it looks like the best option- no, like the only option.

Haha, I’ve been there.

Music has heard my voice, a solace during such times. Back then, at times like this, I sabotaged myself with more depressing music, but I realized I needed a change. I turned to motivational and uplifting songs to fight my self-sabotaging tendencies.

Let’s take a look at “The Use in Trying” by Alessia Cara. I have always loved Alessia Cara's music, they are always motivating and uplifting. “The Use in Trying” has become one of my favorite songs since I first heard it.

I have been listening to Alessia Cara's songs but I only found “The Use in Trying” a few months ago, and it is one of the songs I can’t go a day without listening to.

“The Use in Trying” is a single released in 2021, Alessia sang this song in an Animated movie “Paw Patrol”, although I have not watched the movie but I’m considering it. Let me share what makes this song special to me.

Just a jump away from where you wanna go
But you're too afraid of doin' it alone
So gettin' halfway there is all you've ever known
I've been down that road.

When I hear this first verse, it quashes my self-doubt. it keeps me going because I abjure to stop halfway, I want to know how it ends, how all my hard work pays off. It also reminds me that I am not the only one who is in this crusade; there are thousands of people going through the same thing. Why should I stop halfway?

Just a search away from what you wanna find
But diggin' through the dirt won't get you diamonds every time
Seein' the sun's a good enough reason to get through the night
So close your heavy eyes

I know giving up is not an option but an excuse. I don’t need to compare my growth, my pace, or myself with anyone else’s. I’m proud of the little progress I have made because I know there is more to get tomorrow. I’ll run at my own pace every day, I will grow and learn. I don’t want to be too drained before I get to where I am going. I am surely going forward, not slowly, but at my best pace.

Every day is like you're playing in
A different game that you can never win

Hold your head up
You'll find your way home
You won't get what you give sometimes
When the dust all settles
And the smoke all clears up
There's pieces of yourself you're gonna find
Maybe that's the use in trying

When I feel lost in this race of life, I sing along to tell myself that I will find my way. I await disappointment, I know that the journey won't always be a bed of roses. I'm prepared for whatever comes.

Remember, you are not just running in circles; you are actually moving forward, even if you can’t see it. you are not left out in the race, you are running at your own pace and learning along the way. When all smoke clears up, you'll find pieces of yourself that you never knew existed.