I’ve Learned the Beauty of Living Life Fully

by Jaya Saxena · February 3, 2016

So many of us are content to just sleepwalk through life without giving it another thought. I was like that. I was unhappy and confused and didn’t know why. But now, I’ve embraced the beauty that comes with living fully. Living the whole way. You know, being alive all the time, 24/7, no breaks.

Being full of life takes work. It gets tiring. And according to the government, it’s selfish. Once they built the grid to run on the kinetic energy created by human organs, we were all expected to inject ourselves into DeathSleep for hours or even days at a time, giving over our precious lifeforce so our overlords had the ability to conduct their intergalactic business. But escaping from the Death Tanks and taking up pilates has been worth it. I’ve resolved to spend 2086 getting rid of the toxic habits in my life, which absolutely includes spending time every day legally dead. 2086 is about exploring all life has to offer!

Lord Mirgoz asks us to pledge utter devotion to Mindcell that powers the planet, but excuse me if I want to spend some more time on self care. Living fully is what helps me take care of me. Being awake, pursuing my own interests, taking time to relax in a hot bath with a nice glass of wine every now and then, and not allowing my blood to be harvested to fuel the mutant army. I’m ready to be kind to myself. I am not just a citizen united against the intergalactic invaders. I am enough!

Sometimes we just need check in with ourselves and get some “me” time. Even if it means abandoning my watchpost at the west wall for a few hours just to curl up with a good book and some strong tea, so be it. After all, I’m not much use keeping a lookout for Them if I’m not fully rested and recharged.

Honestly, life has just been so much better since I started living fully. It’s hard, but it’s worth it. Sometimes you just have to say “screw ensuring what remains of humanity stays intact. I’m living for me!” Ooh, and I’m also teaching myself how to crochet.

 

[Image via]

Jaya Saxena is a Staff Writer at The Toast.


47 Comments

  3. karimil +77

    But are you living life on life’s terms? Are you aware that it is what it is? Can you live and let live?

    I would kickstart the hell out of someone who could come up with some young, fresh cliches. We haven’t disrupted the cliche game yet.

  4. perianwen +19

    I would teach you how to crochet if I lived near you, Jaya. Sorry to have failed you in the future.

  5. sausagedog +119

    I’ve been reminding myself to be mindful. Mindful of my words and actions, mindful of how much time I’m spending “plugged in,” mindful of the gaping earthmaw that has opened up next to my house and has been trying to swallow me every time I walk by… y’know, just mindful

  6. fromafar2013 +61

    “Once they built the grid to run on the kinetic energy created by human organs, we were all expected to inject ourselves into DeathSleep for hours or even days at a time, giving over our precious lifeforce so our overlords had the ability to conduct their intergalactic business.”

    I can’t decide if this is too on the nose or if I’m just reading too much into it because I REALLY don’t want to be at work right now.

    2. megalesias +47

      I dunno, though, because I’ve been at work for all of 5 hours and right now DeathSleep sounds like a GREAT option, as long as it involves minimal effort and maximum unconsciousness.

  7. kilks401 +7

    but really, is humanity in any meaningful intact if people are forced stay in DeathSleep. I mean, I guess we already spend 8 hours a night on average doing that, but c’mon.

  10. Xolandra +13

    This is both hilarious and chilling at the same time, and i do not know how you do it, Jaya

    also. i will totally teach you to crochet.

  12. deleted7541601 +75

    Mindfulness robs me of my rich fantasy life, which in some respects is far superior to reality. Also: No special outfit is required.

    1. permanentteal +58

      My dad, who is pretty much a Yoga Mom: You should try to live in the present!
      Me: There are no dragons in the present

  13. Either_Ada +33

    I think I’m fine with not living to the fullest 24/7. Sounds exhausting. Bring me my death nap, or whatever it’s called.

  14. CleverManka +36

    “screw ensuring what remains of humanity stays intact. I’m living for me!”

    Yeeeeeeeeeeeeep

    2. swords-and-spindles +13

      I think they’re some kids in Tadfield. Better stay away, they’re rascals, always up to no good.

  19. damanoid +73

    Best of luck. I thought I was finally living for myself, and emotionally ready to commit to a self-actualized, mutually reciprocal trust-based relationship. However it turned out that my partner was a vat-grown agent of the Dream Harvesters who infected me with an invasive quantum cortical microtubule nestwork, and now I no longer know where i am or where my limbs are

  20. maryling83 +3

    Come to my knitting/crochet/spinning/weaving group and I will totally teach you to crochet. We’re in Little Neck!

  21. femmefan1946 +15

    Okay, I just found my Hugo short story nominee for 2016.
    And it will drive the puppies nuts. Or nutsier.

  23. lacey +23

    oh thank goodness thank goodness i thought for just a second–the photo, the first line–that maybe it was real, and i was so so scared that everything good had just fallen apart

    thank you

    thank you

    i’m sorry that i didn’t trust

  25. halloweenjack64 +18

    I tried living fully once, and the earth trembled. Incidentally, if anyone was building houses of cards or doing delicate surgery during that, sorry, my bad.

  26. Halloween Jack

    I tried living fully once, and the earth trembled. Incidentally, if anyone was building houses of cards or doing delicate surgery during that, sorry, my bad.