Just Say No

In the madness of today, it seems like there’s a pharmaceutical answer to every diagnosed ailment. Uppers, downers and everything in between. While many are antidotes to legitimate concerns, almost all narcotics (legal or otherwise) have an effect on our ability to create. 

Indeed when we find ourselves ‘depending’ on anything in order to go about our daily lives, it’s important to reflect on its inherent importance and ask who’s leading who. 

When I was living in Berlin, I saw so many young souls soothing their pain with all the wrong antidotes. Almost everyone I met during my year-long stint in the German capital professed to be running from something.

They hated their family, their job or the rat race and instead wanted to decelerate and live out their own dreams. Almost all had creative aspirations and while these confessions left me inspired, few seemed to be actively pursuing anything other than excessive indulgence.

Even more surprising, it was rare to meet anyone who seemed to actually be enjoying themselves. People spoke about going nightclubbing every week like they plunged clogged toilets for a living. Escape from reality had become reality itself and everyone seemed to be inadvertently stripping away agency over their life. 

No matter how difficult it seems, it’s integral to take stock and ask yourself if you’re in control of your choices. Like anything, the more you lean on something, the greater the incidence of addiction.

Have the courage to confront your crutch and put it under your thumb where it belongs.