Journal
Back to soul
Is there a moment — maybe even several in the span of a month — when you suddenly realize you’re busy living a life you never actually chose?
A recurring sensation that you want something else.
A different kind of life.
A slower pace.
More space.
A different ideal.
Deeper interactions.
Time.
More soul.
It seems like many of us carry this longing.
It also seems like many of us constantly prioritize against that longing.
We say we want time.
We say we want ownership of our energy.
More meaningful connections. Conversations that touch something deeper.
Not the same old, superficial stuff without soul or charm or warmth or mystery.
More beautiful moments without demanding anything to be something else than what it is right now.
Yet we start each morning with email or TikTok – and continue through our days and weeks and months with intense reactivity, endless comparison and ego-driven impatience.
Not much vibrance, soul or enthusiasm.
We struggle to give our closest friends — or our partner — ten minutes of real attention, yet we pour endless time and energy into our digital lives, curating them carefully for hearts and likes.
Optimizing for productivity.
Chasing for status.
Contorting for approval.
Wearing our polished, shiny armor on the outside while slowly falling apart on the inside.
If we want a life that feels more soulful – with higher energy, more enthusiasm and a greater sense of meaning – we need to prioritize differently.
And we need to work with it daily.
Otherwise we’re like the 17-21-year-olds who dream of becoming professional football players, hockey players, or whatever — but that’s before they understand what it actually takes to become great.
Talking the talk is so easy.
Walking the talk – day after day, step after step – is something entirely different.
Most people choose convenience, instant gratification and the approval of digital strangers.
That’s why, when most people go right, you have to go left.
Instead of starting each day mindlessly — ignoring your breath, choosing speed, news and relief – you pivot toward better alternatives.
Meditation. Journaling. Shadow work. Deep conversations.
Space between thoughts and to-do’s.
Consistent NO’s to low-minded activities, so you can invest more time in one thing.
None of that is easy.
And instead of chasing mechanical praise and superficial interactions – you lean into real vulnerability with high-minded people.
Expressing what you believe in.
Sharing what you stand for.
Listen to what’s being said and instead of planning what you’ll say next.
And not just listening when others share their inner world – but daring to go deeper. Asking the hard questions, knowing the answers might be even harder.
That is NOT easy.
But when you go left, dig deeper and live truer, you discover your people.
People you actually feel something with. People who have something – a strong presence, fire in their eyes, depth, some mystery.
Just being around them is often enough to touch your soul, ignite inspiration, curiosity and the longing to know more.
To detach from mediocrity.
To embody creativity.
To live your standards.
Chasing shiny objects and social status without intrinsic value or a meaningful journey – that’s not a rich life.
Staying in a job that eats you alive.
Constant productivity.
Success addiction.
Contorting yourself for the likes of others.
We don’t actually want that.
The price we pay is often relationships, joy, peace, humor, spontaneity – and that hard-to-describe-feeling of awe.
Of course we can enjoy a new car, a golden Rolex, a one night stand, or the two-week-high of being appointed the CEO. But that’s not enough.
If we aren’t capable of stopping to smell the roses;
being kind and generous;
loving from the core of our soul;
enjoying the sun on our face;
a deep breath;
a slow morning;
great company;
and doing things simply because we love doing them —
then what are status, power, money or being the CEO really worth?
Not much.
Not nothing. But not much.
I can’t think of many things more deadly to creativity — more in the way of awe, joy, intuition, warmth, harmony, gratitude, deep connections, and rich conversations — than impatience, fear of failure, and the constant chase for approval.
The endless puzzle of productivity, efficiency and speed.
It may be the ego’s demand, but it is not our soul’s longing.
This is not about not possessing material things.
It’s not about avoiding earthly pleasures or letting go of ambition.
This is about creating a real life with more depth instead of a stressful one with no soul.
About your ego – or other people’s egos – not owning you.
Our ego wants to feel significant, yet it always fails to feel that way for more than a few hours. It will never be satisfied. It always wants more.
More praise.
The next position.
The next goal.
A bigger house.
A higher number.
The chase never ends.
This is where the metaphor of the hungry ghost comes in.
According to Eastern philosophy:
”A hungry ghost is a being driven by insatiable craving — a state of endless wanting that can never be satisfied.
These beings are depicted with huge stomachs and tiny throats, symbolizing a life defined by desire but incapable of true nourishment.”
Not a life we want.
Not a person that we want to be.
Or be around.
In the end, your life won’t be shaped by what you wish for.
It will be shaped by your standards, your behaviors, and your daily decisions.
By your courage to walk the talk.
By what you’re willing to return to day after day.
Step after step.
Breath by breath.
Your longing is your compass.
Your true north.
But a compass is useless unless you actually start walking.
And hey — living your best life is very much about helping others live theirs.
No one knows how much time we have.
Do the work required for the life you want to live.
But don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers.
Be kind and generous.
Love from the core of your soul.
Enjoy the sun on your face.
And do things simply because you love doing them.
Don’t be a hungry ghost.
Back to soul
Live your standards.
Photography by
Marcus Falk Olander
