My Epilepsy Journey

Let’s talk about something we all feel but rarely say out loud: the strange contradiction between how alike we are as people, yet how different our thoughts and ambitions can be.

Think about it. On the surface, everyone’s chasing something—success, happiness, love, peace, freedom. No matter where you come from, or how different your life looks from mine, we all feel joy, fear, loss, excitement. It’s almost like life is a giant classroom and we’re all students learning the same emotional lessons, just at different times and in different ways.

And yet… even though we’re wired the same emotionally, our minds are beautifully unique. We think differently. We dream differently. We define “success” in our own ways. Some people crave stability—a house, a family, a steady job. Others want adventure—travel, new experiences, living on the edge. Then there are those who are obsessed with creating something, building a legacy, or making the world better in their own small way.

This is where things get interesting—and a little tricky.

See, the problem starts when we forget this truth and begin measuring ourselves against others. You know that feeling? When you see someone else’s achievements, their lifestyle, their goals, and you start wondering if maybe you’re doing something wrong. Like, “Should I want what they want?” or “Am I aiming too low?” or worse, “What if I’m getting left behind?”

But that kind of thinking? It’s a trap. It’s like comparing apples and oranges when both fruits were grown in totally different gardens, under different climates, by different gardeners. Just because someone else is sprinting toward a goal doesn’t mean you’re supposed to be running in the same direction.

Life teaches us that we’re all alike in the ways that matter most—we all want to be seen, to matter, to love and be loved. But it also teaches us (if we’re paying attention) that how we get there is entirely up to us. That’s the beauty of independent thought. That’s the beauty of dreaming your own dream, even if no one else gets it yet.

You’ve got your own mind for a reason. You see the world through your own lens for a reason. And no matter how much your story overlaps with someone else’s, your journey will never be identical. So why try to follow a path that wasn’t made for your feet?

Here’s what I think: stop peeking over the fence at what your neighbor’s planting. Water your own garden. Grow what matters to you. Chase what excites you. Your ambition doesn’t have to look impressive on Instagram to be valid. It just has to feel right in your gut.

And yeah, sometimes it’s scary. Sometimes it feels like everyone else has it all figured out while you’re still trying to make sense of your own blueprint. But that’s okay. Progress isn’t always loud. Dreams don’t always make noise while they’re growing.

So next time you catch yourself comparing, pause for a second. Breathe. Remind yourself: We’re all alike in the way we crave meaning, but the way we find it? That’s where we get to be free.

Focus on your dream. Not theirs. You owe it to yourself to see where your independent thinking can take you.

And who knows? While you’re busy building the life that fits you, someone else might look over and think, “Wow… maybe I should stop following the crowd too.”

Keep going. You’re not behind. You’re just on your own path—and that’s exactly where you’re supposed to be.