Waiting Too Long
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Waiting Too Long

What if our lives are escaping us?

396
Waiting Too Long
pixabay

"What if?"

The two words that have plagued me for as long as I can remember. The "What ifs?" that tell me to wait for the perfect moment, to wait for a better idea, have no regard for a future. They are simply a voice of caution in a world more dangerous than we admit, yet made worse by our own inaction.

In this life, we are encouraged to live safely, yet thousands die in preventable ways. We are encouraged to love without fear, yet I find myself living as a member of a cold-blooded people. Our values and goals have become inverted, putting death around the corner and love into myth. Maybe it is the fact that when the adrenaline hits, safety is forgotten, explaining the unending accidents in the world. And what if people are not open anymore because of "what if?"

What if we were hurt in the past? What if what we thought was love was something else? What if we are afraid of letting go of someone? What if we are afraid of letting someone in? To be...ourselves, unfiltered. What if someone sees the real you and doesn't like who they see? What if you lower your guard and someone sees how broken you really are? What if you waited too long, and you never know what could have been?

In terms of physical safety, what if is the greatest thing since hand rails. If no one thinks about the damage that their actions could cause, then this world would be a lot crispier. But the frustrating thing about people is that we are not simple creatures. Yes, we are motivated by pain and instincts, but there is so much more to life that cannot be put into simple terms. And it is times when the complicated things go unsaid, that other kinds of damage are caused. When a word of comfort is withheld, and a friend turns to other means to cope with pain. When a compliment is bitten back in fear of sounding too soft. When love is never given a chance to burn, and the world becomes that much colder for it.

Why? Why do we stay silent about the wrong things? Why do we find it so cathartic to complain and get angry over foolish things or lose our minds in the endless memes and clickbait that dominates media? Why do our pastimes involve doing nothing but scrolling as if we are waiting for life to happen on-screen when it is literally passing us by? As I have entered adulthood, I regularly find myself drifting into that oblivion of scrolling; looking at images I forget the second after I see them. It's sickening.

We spend our lives waiting, passing the time until something happens. Bad news, nothing is going to happen unless we try. Because as humans, we are afraid. We fear the unknown, the "what if?". What if we are afraid of living? Death is effortless if we wait, living requires action.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57890
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37296
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958985
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

192196
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments