Today, I want to shed light on a topic that’s been on my mind—certain mentalities within society that can have a toxic effect on us.
While these mindsets aren’t always entirely negative, they can sometimes weigh us down or create unnecessary pressure.
In one of my previous blogs, I spoke about the power of slowing down —the importance of rest and taking a step back to refuel and gain clarity. This idea ties closely to what I want to address today: the trap of living in a fast-paced society.
It’s easy to fall into the loop of negative thoughts: Why am I not progressing faster? Why aren’t my efforts showing results? Why are others climbing so quickly while I feel stuck? These questions can creep in and make us question our worth or purpose and even progress.
I’ve experienced this personally, and I constantly have to remind myself to step back, shift my focus; from how quickly someone reached their goal to how am I progressing and what are my steps to take for success, and look at the bigger picture. Progress isn’t always about speed—sometimes, it’s about consistency, self-reflection, and moving forward at your own pace.
I believe that by acknowledging these feelings and consciously stepping out of this toxic loop, we can reclaim our energy, realign with our goals, and appreciate the journey rather than comparing ourselves to others. Or even having others compare us to them or others; look how my body looks after ddoing just the same workout as you, look how X business is thrieving better than Y's... You got what I mean and probably heard this or that.
And so, our topic begins. The first thing I want to share—based on my own experience—is how people, especially in their 20s, tend to rush through life. There’s this pressure to achieve certain milestones quickly: buying a house, owning a car, or making other big commitments. It’s something I was discussing just few weeks ago with my sister and a friend, and it’s a topic I often bring up with my husband as well.
We all feel this nagging thought, Am I late? Should I have done this by now? These questions seem to follow us, especially when it comes to major decisions that shape the course of our lives. For us, one of the biggest decisions is choosing where to settle down and buy a home—a decision tied to so much more than just finances.
As some of you may know, I’m Lebanese, my husband is French, and we currently live in the UAE. That means we’re juggling three different countries, three different systems, and three entirely unique environments. Each one offers something special, but it also adds to the weight of making the right choice.
Us in those three different - what we call - homes
This constant push to meet certain societal expectations can feel overwhelming. But it’s worth asking ourselves: Are we truly ready for these milestones, or are we just rushing because we feel we’re supposed to?
And here comes the part where inspiration and comparison intertwine. I wouldn’t call it outright comparison, but rather a way of looking up to people—whether from our circle or society—who inspire us. However, even with the best intentions, it’s easy to find yourself thinking, How can I get there? How fast can I achieve what they’ve achieved?
This is where the shift happens. What starts as inspiration can sometimes turn toxic. We push ourselves harder, forcing progress, and ignoring one crucial fact: most of these inspiring people, especially those in their 30s and 40s, have spent years—often decades—reaching that point. Yet, in our 20s, we feel like we’re racing against time, trying to minimize the journey to get there as quickly as possible. Just the thought of it can be exhausting, even before we take the first step.
This duality—the society that inspires yet pressures us—is something I personally struggle with. I constantly remind myself not to compare in unreasonable ways and to look at the bigger picture. It’s tempting to focus on how quickly you can achieve our goals, but you have to remember that
good things take time.
It’s not just about the destination, it’s about the journey—a cliché, yes, but undeniably true. If we focus only on the end goal, we risk losing sight of the process. We forget the small victories, the challenges we overcame, the people who supported us, and the lessons we learned along the way. Without acknowledging the journey, we rob ourselves of the joy and meaning that comes with growth.
And here’s the thing: if we don’t cherish the journey, how can we use it to inspire or help others? How can we share the blueprint of our success if we were too focused on the finish line to notice the details? So, here’s a reminder for myself and for anyone who needs to hear it: take a breath, trust the timing of your life, and enjoy every step of the way. The journey matters just as much as the destination.
I mentioned comparison earlier, and it’s interesting how, like most topics in life, there are different perspectives on it. You’ll often hear people say, Don’t compare yourself to others. On the other hand, some will argue, You have to compare to grow. Personally, I think comparison can be valuable—but only when done in a reasonable way and with the right mindset.
Comparison shouldn’t come from a place of hate or self-pity. Instead, it should be about growth, about asking yourself, How can I improve? or What can I learn from this person’s journey? It’s about drawing inspiration, not tearing yourself down.
Let me give you an example. Imagine you’re planning outfits for a vacation. For many girls, this means scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram, looking at how others dressed for a similar trip. You compare their styles to your own wardrobe, but not in a way that makes you feel forced to buy new whole wardrobe. Instead, you’re using those comparisons to get ideas and inspiration and create outfits from what you already have (raw material that you have in you that you can use for building your dreams). Even though it’s technically still comparison, the intention behind it is different—it’s constructive, not destructive.
So, it’s not about avoiding comparison altogether but approaching it with the right mindset. When comparison is fueled by inspiration and the desire to grow, it becomes a tool for bettering yourself, not a reason to feel stuck or inadequate. I hope this makes sense!
Avoid comparing yourself to the extent of exhaustion; think logically, create your plan, work gradually and efficiently, stay motivated, and dream because anything your mind envisions can be accomplished with the right dedication and positive attitude.
