#5 | When Things Fall Together

The switch just flipped.

Rahul Rangnekar
Jul 22, 2017 · 3 min read

That’s not to say I’m going to be complacent about doing work. On the contrary, I’m busier than ever with my two jobs, several projects, and weekend attempts at a social life. I’m doing work I’m genuinely passionate about and could spend my entire day on without burning out. I’m hanging out with friends I care about and who care about me. I’m challenging myself to step outside my comfort zone, and remain comfortable with who I am, not who others want me to be. I’m unapologetically myself.

I’m mentally and physically exhausted at the end of the day, but I’m happier than ever at the fact that I spend close to 90% of my daily hours awake productively. I’m not wasting more than I’m happier than ever that I didn’t “waste” (watching TV, browsing social media, reading articles I wont remember, etc.) more than 2 collective hours.

It just seems as though things fell into place. Just back in March, April, and May, I was struggling socially (in a relationship), academically (I wasn’t interested in my classes), physically (the gym nearby was closed), professionally (I couldn’t find an internship), and most important of all, mentally — life just had me down.

And then I started reading self-help articles on Medium. I became inspired by the writers I read. I started being thankful for my life, the opportunities I had, and the memories I made. I started envisioning myself a week, a month, 3 months, a year, etc. in the future. Where did I want to be at that point? How can I get there? And so I started making plans, allowing myself to do as much or as little as I wanted to begin to “get there”, as long as I made progress daily.

And it’s been great so far. The more I discover and do daily, the more motivated I am to continue, the happier I become with the progress I’ve made, and so the more comfortable I get in my own skin, zagging while everyone zigs.

It’s wonderful when things fall together. I may not realize all the steps I took to get here, but it’s amazing to take a step back and see how much I’ve changed for the better by just taking a single small step at a time. And as long as I keep doing so, I’m gonna be alright.

Today, I’m thankful for Medium and its writers who brought me back to life and the present with their pieces. Benjamin Foley, for being the first and foremost — his mindful meditation course brought me peace throughout 2 weeks and made me feel as though someone understood me. Benjamin P. Hardy, for carrying the torch and writing amazing pieces on self-confidence, determination, and perseverance I’ve kept bookmarked to read and reread. Elle Kaplan, for teaching me about the behaviors and mindsets of successful business leaders. Thomas Oppong, Tim Denning, Jon Westenberg. There’s no way I could’ve gotten here without reading their works on Medium, and Medium itself existing (so thanks, Ev Williams).

Another thanks to Yomi Fashoro for chatting with me about his work as a product manager at Medium. I never thanked you after we talked for close to half an hour on a Wednesday night while you were still at the office. The work you’re doing affects more people more profoundly than you may ever realize, so I sincerely thank you (and all of those who work at Medium) for improving this wonderful platform.

Peace and Love ❤

Beyond Limits

Life’s perspective from a 21-year-old. A 100-day challenge to push myself beyond what I thought was possible. To be as inquisitive and uncomfortable as possible. To find and follow a life of peace, courage, determination, and gratitude.

Rahul Rangnekar

Written by

Software Developer && Writer, UC Berkeley Computer Science & Economics graduate

Beyond Limits

Life’s perspective from a 21-year-old. A 100-day challenge to push myself beyond what I thought was possible. To be as inquisitive and uncomfortable as possible. To find and follow a life of peace, courage, determination, and gratitude.

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