Burning the Midnight Oil

It’s a race and if you don’t run fast enough, someone will overtake you. There’s a constant fear of someone being better, someone being faster and letting yourself down. You compel yourself to put your best foot forward, to give your one hundred percent, to “burn the midnight oil”. 

But have you ever stopped to think, what happens when the oil in this lamp runs out? What happens when your flame, your fire, extinguishes and denies lighting again? What happens on that cold, dark night when you need warmth and comfort the most, but all you have is a burnt wick and a dry lamp? 

You all are running the same race but under different circumstances. What if your competitor is blessed with a naturally agile body? What if one is running with a million-dollar shoes and another barefoot? So what if you finish first but with feet so blistered you can never run again? So what if you finish last but you waltzed across the track, pirouetting your way through the race?

It’s common to find yourself constantly comparing, competing in this rat race. But let me tell you this, if you let this desire to continuously ace consume you wholly, this short heat transforms into an incessant relay of uncounted laps. And once you start running this relay, you’ll only stop when you can never run again. You’ll say you gave it to your best shot, you put your best foot forward, you burnt the midnight oil, but what now? The oil in your lamp is exhausted, the wick is charred, how will you rise now? 

You spend too much time and energy behind a deed you only later realize to be petty. A cold, dark night is approaching, you need warmth and light the most, but what now? Your lamp is burnt out, you are burnt out, that flame of ambition, that fire in your belly, that desire to excel, that is burnt out. And now when things have begun to finally matter, when you need yourself the most, where are you? 

Stuck in a rat race I fear.

Avoiding the rat race involves a combination of mindset shifts and lifestyle changes aimed at escaping the endless cycle of work without fulfillment. Here are some practical tips to help prevent yourself from getting stuck:

1. Clarify Your Values and Priorities

• Define success for yourself: Determine what truly matters to you—whether it’s financial security, creative freedom, family time, or personal growth. Don’t follow society’s or others' definitions of success.

• Set personal goals: Establish long-term goals that align with your values and break them into smaller, achievable steps.

2. Prioritize Well-being Over Materialism

• Simplify your life: Focus on experiences, relationships, and personal growth rather than accumulating material possessions.

• Take care of your health: Physical and mental well-being are key to staying centered. Regular exercise, mindfulness, and self-care help reduce stress.

3. Embrace Lifelong Learning

• Keep evolving: Continuously develop new skills and knowledge to stay adaptable. This not only enhances your career prospects but can also open doors to new passions.

• Be open to change: Don’t be afraid to switch industries or career paths if it aligns with your long-term goals.

4. Build a Support Network

• Surround yourself with like-minded people: Build relationships with people who share your values and aspirations. They can inspire and support you in avoiding the pressures of the rat race.

• Seek mentors: Learn from those who have successfully avoided or escaped the rat race. Their insights can help guide your own journey.

5. Take Breaks and Reflect

• Regularly assess your path: Periodically step back and evaluate whether your current work is aligned with your goals and values. Make adjustments as needed.

• Schedule downtime: Avoid burnout by taking time for hobbies, vacations, or simple relaxation. Life isn’t just about work.

-Tansee Sugla