Does Vienna wait for us, or is life a race against ourselves? [Discussion]

Submitted by TreatThompson t3_10ldf94 in GetMotivated

I know I’m not the only person in their 20’s that feels pressured to get what they want out of life right now.

It feels silly to even type that. I could have 80 years to live, but I want to accomplish everything in 10.

But it’s a common feeling, and I’m not sure why.

I can only think of one reason. Seeing people younger than me or around my age on social media accomplish remarkable things makes me believe I can get it all done now, and that I should be getting it all done now.

So, when I would’ve been taking my time, I now feel pressured to speed up.

Billy Joel’s song Vienna speaks to this. He sang:

>Slow down you crazy child
You're so ambitious for a juvenile
Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?
You better cool it off before you burn it out
Slow down you're doing fine
You can't be everything you want to be before your time
But don't you know that only fools are satisfied?
Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true
Take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while
It's alright, you can afford to lose a day or two
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

He said the song “was an observation that you have your whole life to live. A lot of people in their 20s think they have to get it all together by their 30s and they kill themselves trying to get the golden ring. You have an entire life to live.”

He also added that we tend to put older people to the side and make life all about the youth. We have this collective idea that you lose your chance to do remarkable things once you get older.

Life is many decades long, so it doesn’t make sense to try to squeeze all the juice out of it in just one.

I’m torn between these two philosophies.

Logically, Billy Joel’s, “slow down you’re doing fine” makes sense. But emotionally, I’m overwhelmed with the feeling to not spend any time leisurely. I feel guilty if I don’t spend most of my time building towards what I want.

Do you think we should get there when we get there? Or should we keep a high pace while the timer of life ticks?

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This post was from my newsletter

I share ideas from great thinkers so we can stand on the shoulders of giants, instead of figuring life out alone

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Comments

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TreatThompson OP t1_j5w3rnz wrote

It makes me think of this quote too:

“Man surprises me most about humanity. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the results being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”—Daila Lama

We can get so frantic about living that we forget to live.

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XueShiLong t1_j5w4nss wrote

stop putting your self-worth on others. Do YOU, you're the only one who can. There will always be someone bigger, stronger, faster, smarter, richer, etc etc than you, stop wasting time believing you have to be the best at everything, because that is simply not possible.

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TreatThompson OP t1_j5w5b3g wrote

Replying to XueShiLong (#1,495,188)

Yeah that’s a solid point to be more intentional about

When I operate in a vaccum, oblivious to everything outside of my life, it’s always the most peaceful and joyful times

It’s worth it to cultivate that environment and ignore fomo

Thanks for sharing! 🙌

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Philedendron_101 t1_j5w6eni wrote

Try to find happiness right where you are by paying attention to the moment.

If that means you want work hard now then go for it. Just as long as you remember to stop, look around, and smell the roses every once in a while.

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BobsReddit_ t1_j5w7yfh wrote

I'm in my 50s and I agree with you from somewhere towards the other side of your timeline. I began learning piano only during the pandemic, practice often and plan on getting good before I die, and one of the songs I've been working on coincidentally, is Vienna. I'm still having fun in life, not only learning new things but thinking in new ways that are more broad and optimistic than when I was younger. Physical strength and aesthetics fade, but I'm finding my mind to be a more enjoyable place to live

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TreatThompson OP t1_j5w98cs wrote

Replying to BobsReddit_ (#1,495,583)

Wow that’s awesome to hear

It’s motivating to see that we can pick up a craft and study it at any time

I hope to continue doing the same as you—learn, try new things, and explore

Thanks for sharing this 😄

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Blake198624601 t1_j5wasox wrote

Replying to TreatThompson (#1,495,825)

You prompted me to listen to the song after many years since hearing it last. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it on the regular since.

So… I’m 36. Divorced… in the midst of going back to school to pursue my passion. Moved to Canada to live for cheap with a friend. Struggled with addiction.

My advice… take it one day at a time. Some days you have to buckle down and get shit done. But others, you have to be still and know… enjoy… chill.

A song you might enjoy: “A little bit of everything” by Dawes.

Cheers!

*edit, typo

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TreatThompson OP t1_j5wbvn7 wrote

Replying to Blake198624601 (#1,495,936)

Damn, things seem hectic but you still come off as composed—really putting your life in your hands and driving it

That’s inspiring to hear

Also, I’ve often thought about going to school later in life for a passion of mine (animation) so that’s a nice thing to see from someone else

Really appreciate this insightful comment! Thanks for sharing your current experience 🙌

Also glad I could remind you of the song Vienna again haha! Going to listen to “A little bit if everything” right now

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Immediate_Ad4404 t1_j5x10fs wrote

I think most people your age live like today is all that matters. Sm is filled with them ridiculing anyone over 40. That's old to them, and they really believe they will look live and feel the same at forty. Unfortunately for them, the people 40 and over have what they aspire to. The assumption is that they had it easy, and the bottom line is that everyone must work for what they want. It's okay to feel the way you feel just work smart and understand sustainability. The sm impact will change as you guys age. It can't last like this it breeds envy hatred and greed and insecurity.

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lurkur88 t1_j5x8j3w wrote

As someone with chronic illness, I ended up choosing to do what makes me happy over societal expectations. That meant going and working seasonal jobs in national parks and at ski resorts. I made no money, lived nomadically, and have had a blast. I had family pressuring me to get a real job while I watch people my age now getting houses, starting families, making 100k a year. The pressure adds up as you begin to reach your 30’s. I succumbed and got a ‘real’ job with health insurance as my condition is worsening and NOW I feel like Im rushing, trying to catch up. Hoping to go back to seasonal life after 5 years of working on my career. Stop focusing on money, stop focusing on material items that dont pertain to survival, focus on acquiring experiences and friends. Wish me luck in the rat race folks.

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j592dk_91_c3w-h_d_r t1_j5xse4h wrote

Replying to BobsReddit_ (#1,495,583)

Can you share more on the new ways to think and perceive life? I am going through an awakening and find myself becoming more bold, optimistic, and generous in mg daily thinking/habits. Wondering if it is a similar change. Cheers.

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LoneWolfThrowAway t1_j5y8gxy wrote

I think it's mostly because of 2 things:

- I am aware that I'm currently at my prime, so now's the best time to take advantage of life by living it to the fullest (doesn't mean just having dumb fun, it means just that, give 100% if not more);

- Other people are going fast too. If I relax too much, I'm gonna be left behind and be seen as odd and weird (my non-existent love life is an example of that).

Is it silly? Absolutely. Does it make me feel pressure nonetheless? Yes, because the things I'm anxious about rely on others, and I can't trust others to be on the same page as I am.

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bxbyfzgh t1_j5zg154 wrote

It’s a balance between hard working nature + being steady and focused so as not to get overwhelmed.

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wtfINFP t1_j60iomw wrote

Your 20s are going to end. This probably sounds true but abstract to you now, but your 20s are going to end. How are you preparing for that?

If you’re like me, you’re probably preparing by rushing to accomplish things, feeling bad that they’re not enough, pushing yourself harder, rinse and repeat. You might have a bucket list of things you feel like you “have” to get done before you’re 30. And when the big day comes, you might stay up all night repeating to yourself, “I’m still in my 20s. I’m still 29. I’m still in my- auuugh!” as the clock hits 12:00.

What I wish I had done was prepare myself for a seamless entrance into my 30s. By viewing the decade as another opportunity to get things done, to become who I want to become.

Let’s be real, the only reason why we think our 20s are the end is because all our favorite characters in books and movies are supposed to be 20s or younger, right? We’ve been conditioned to see only young people go on the hero’s journey and do big things. Start searching for the source of that narrative and challenge it. Because 30 is coming for you and nothing you can accomplish will be big enough to keep you from feeling like a failure when it does, unless you accomplish that paradigm shift first.

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beingbetter317 t1_j61dbs2 wrote

This doesn't mean to throw asside all of your ambitions. It is just telling you not to be blinded by them. Many of the people on social media don't show the full story. Why post the bad, right? Chase everything you want in life, but don't forget to love everything you can on the journey.

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