Do we truly understand the fine yet profound difference between surviving and living life?
At first glance, they all seem like the continuation of life itself, giving the impression that they are the same. However, dear Reader, for our brain, they are vastly different.
When we talk about survival, it means that the continuity of life is under threat.Our brain goes into alarm mode and says, "Right now, nothing is more important than staying alive."
In such moments, the brain initiates three responses to redirect all energy towards keeping us alive, shutting down other functions: FIGHT, FLIGHT, or FREEZE!
This response is commonly known as the 3Fs in English: Fight, Flight, Freeze.
In today’s world, fighting seems like the healthiest strategy when dealing with challenges. As we chase the pride of being strong warriors against life, we often fail to realize how far we drift from our true essence. It’s painful. Yet, it is part of life and human nature.
It seems ideal to take responsibility and fight instead of running away. But in reality, these responses are among the oldest habits in human history.
Tens of thousands of years ago, when our ancestors left their caves and encountered a predator, they had only a few choices: either kill the animal, run for their lives, or freeze and wait silently for it to pass. This mechanism is deeply wired into the most primitive part of our brain.
Living life, on the other hand...
...is about experiencing the delicate nuances of existence, where basic needs are met and no threat is perceived. It’s about savoring moments of joy and pleasure in life.
When our stomachs are full and the wind isn’t chilling us, we can truly see the way the tree in front of us sways with the breeze, appreciating the harmony of its leaves floating through the air in various shades of color. We can find peace in such simple moments.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs illustrates this beautifully. The lowest levels of the pyramid—physiological needs and security—are about survival. The higher levels—belonging and love, esteem, and ultimately, self-actualization—are where we begin to truly live.
At these higher levels, as long as we are in a healthy state, our brain no longer needs to resort to survival strategies like fighting, fleeing, or freezing.I emphasize healthy conditions because, in today’s world, increasing cases of generalized anxiety disorder and other anxiety-related conditions stem from pathological anomalies in this survival mechanism.
Now, dear Reader, I have a request for you.
Make yourself a steaming cup of tea or coffee.Open the window and take a deep breath, letting fresh air fill every corner of your lungs.Then, sit down calmly and ask yourself:
Are my needs being met?
Where am I in life?
Could my brain be feeling threatened without me realizing it?
Where in my life have I felt forced to fight for my survival?
Where have I desperately wanted to run away? Even if I couldn’t, did I wish I could?
Have I ever thought, ‘I wish this struggle would just end, no matter the cost’?
Have I ever felt like my life was put on pause, as if time was flowing independently of me?
Sit with these thoughts until you finish your cup.
We’ll talk about the rest next month.
With LOVE,
Yorumlar