Are You Living on Auto-Pilot? Here’s How to Live a Life You Can Be Proud Of

Do you ever feel like you’re living life on autopilot? Most people I talk to are extremely busy with work and raising children. They work long hours and feel depleted.

What if you paused for a moment and asked: Is the path I’m on right for me? What if you took the time to get to know yourself so you can focus on goals that matter?

A Life That Looked Right, But Felt Wrong

I am a classic example of someone who thought I had my life figured out. On paper, my life looked perfect. But inside, something felt off. Here I was, working for top tech companies, but I felt like a fraud among all those passionate about technology. I didn’t care about being an engineer.

Growing up in India, computer science was the most coveted field. It was lucrative and opened lots of opportunities. So, my parents naturally nudged me into it at an age when I didn’t know what I wanted out of life.

I never stopped to think if I was a logical person or if I liked math. It’s a no to both of these questions. Before I knew it, I had a bachelor’s, a master’s, and 15 years of experience in tech under my belt. I eventually moved into roles that better suited who I was, like program management.

Lacking Awareness in Childhood

It didn’t strike me to ask the right questions at a young age. Looking back, I realize I never had the luxury. The innocence of childhood and the promise of a better life held me captive.

I’m not alone in this. Many people grow up without the space to explore who they truly are or how they want to contribute.

They end up chasing socially approved titles like doctor, lawyer, or engineer or take the first job that offers financial security to support their family.

We Weren’t Given the Choice — But We Have One Now

This pattern isn’t unique to me. I see it in friends, fellow parents, and other working adults I speak to. They are living life on autopilot and chasing goals that aren’t fulfilling. They’re exhausted and work long hours.

It makes me wonder, even though we didn’t have the freedom or wisdom to choose our paths as children, can we give ourselves a chance now?

When I Stopped Chasing Someone Else’s Goals

It wasn’t until I finally stopped chasing someone else’s goals at work that I stopped to think about my own.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the time I gained by working from home led to the discovery of my love for writing and self-expression. When I quit my job to pursue it full-time, my wide-open calendar gave me the chance to examine my life more closely.

It made me think about how I want to contribute to life. What skills do I want to keep learning that are meaningful to me?

Learning to Listen to Myself

When I stopped being in auto-pilot mode, I started to really look at life. I began paying attention to my thoughts and feelings and listened to my intuition.

Journaling, daily meditation, long walks, and books like Think Like a Monk and The Artist’s Way have had a significant impact on me. They helped me get to know myself better, reflect on my purpose, and release the need to please others.

The Questions I Could Finally Ask

In quiet moments, our minds open up, allowing us to see where we stand. We tend to ask, Am I happy? Is this the adult I wanted to be? Did I get the opportunity to explore everything as a child to be the adult I am today?

It’s during life pauses that you will ask yourself questions that you have suppressed for a long time. You will stop postponing the things that matter in your life.

A Life That Feels Like Yours

When was the last time you paused to reflect? Are you constantly overloading yourself for others or yourself? Does the thought of not being busy every moment scare you?

What if you pause and reflect? When you stop running, what do you notice? Will you be proud of your journey and the choices you’ve made? Or are you putting everything off for another lifetime?

When we choose to tune in to the quietness, we begin to hear ourselves and become self-aware.

We may not have had the freedom to choose as children — but we do now.