Are you sure that you are not a Zombie?

Nuwan Bandaranayaka
ILLUMINATION
Published in
3 min readApr 23, 2023

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04 Signs You May Be Living Like a Zombie and How to Break Free

Image Credit: cottonbro studio (https://www.pexels.com)

Zombie

noun

A corpse is said to be revived by witchcraft, especially in certain African and Caribbean religions.

This is the definition given in the Oxford Dictionary for the zombie. But if you are a movie lover like me, then you might have watched movies like Zombieland, Resident Evil, or the hit TV series The Walking Dead. They are often portrayed as mindless, aimless creatures walking around without purpose or direction.

Some people wander through life without any real direction or purpose. Without knowing what they want and going through the motion without stopping?

Sounds Familiar? It is to me.

I re-watched an all-time favorite movie, World War Z, starring Brad Pitt, yesterday. While halfway. A strange thought came to my mind.

Zombies are dead people. But there are so many people living like zombies. I have lived like that. That’s for sure.

Didn’t understand? Let me crack it for you.

In the movies, loud noises and bright lights attract Zombies often. But, unfortunately, flashy things like expensive cars, designer clothes, and luxury vacations do the trick in real life for many of us. What about the long-term consequences? Who cares, man?

The next thing I noticed was that they have no individuality or uniqueness. Likewise, many people today follow the crowd and conform to societal norms without considering what makes them unique and special.

Zombies are also known for their relentless pursuit of their prayer, even if it means sacrificing themselves or their body parts. Recall something? Skipping meals for work’s sake, neglecting health, relationships, and personal happiness.

Final question, who controls the Zombies? It’s always an outside force like a virus or a mad scientist. Same thing social media, peer pressure, and societal expectations do to our lives. We often give these things the steering wheel of our lives without realizing the importance of controlling our own life.

Now you have my point about how people often behave like zombies without realizing it and how they can take a step back and examine their lives. By doing so, they can live a more purposeful and fulfilling life that is true to their values and aspirations.

So can we do something about it?

Yes, indeed. There are a few things we could do to fix this zombie situation. so here me out,

First, Take responsibility for their lives.

Nothing will work without one taking full responsibility for their lives and making conscious and active choices to improve their quality of life. Learning new skills, setting realistic goals, and developing healthy habits are some things you could do.

Then, be mindful of their surroundings and consider their feelings and emotions. This will help immensely recognize when someone is becoming too comfortable with their Comfort Zones and not taking a step forward to change.

Another thing we could do is not get caught up in the negativity of others. The best way to do this is by surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people who could go along with you and keep one another motivated and on track toward your goals.

This one is important. You must take of yourself properly. Getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising regularly are ways to show self-love. So this will improve your physical health and ultimately lead to your mental health and overall outlook on life.

So take a break, do some self-reflection, and do self-care. Take a break from technology, practice mindfulness, start meditation, and engage in hobbies or activities that bring joy and fulfillment.

Now I feel like Brad Pitt in the movie World War Z. found a way to fight and defeat zombies.

Live a more fulfilling and purposeful Life. Peace…..

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