"Ne soyez jamais tellement occupé à gagner votre vie que vous en oubliez de vivre."

Sometimes, we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of our jobs that we lose sight of what truly matters. The main idea here is a reminder not to let work consume us to the point where we neglect the joys, relationships, and experiences that actually make life worth living.

This sentiment has been echoed throughout history, especially during times when work culture has been particularly intense. Think back to the Industrial Revolution. People were working unbelievably long hours in factories, often in unsafe conditions, just to make ends meet. It became clear that such a lifestyle was unsustainable and detrimental to well-being. Fast forward to today, and while we may not all be in factories, the modern-day equivalent is the grind of long office hours, endless emails, and the constant pressure to succeed. It’s easy to fall into this trap, especially when society often measures success by career achievements and financial gain.

Take Sarah, for example. She’s a marketing executive in her mid-30s, climbing the corporate ladder at a prestigious firm. Every day, she’s the first one in the office and the last one to leave. Her weekends? Usually spent catching up on work. Sarah’s dedication is commendable, but it comes at a cost. She misses family gatherings, rarely sees her friends, and her hobbies have fallen by the wayside. One day, she realizes she can’t remember the last time she truly felt at peace or laughed until her stomach hurt. That’s when it hits her: she’s been so busy making a living, she’s forgotten to make a life.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, it might be time to take a step back and re-evaluate. Start by setting boundaries. Establish work hours and stick to them. When your workday ends, actually leave work behind—both mentally and physically. Find activities that bring you joy and make time for them, whether it’s reading a book, going for a hike, or simply having dinner with your family without the distraction of a smartphone.

Imagine this: you’re at your child's school play. The lights dim, the curtain rises, and you see your kid standing proudly with a big smile on their face. You feel a wave of happiness wash over you, but then your phone buzzes. It's an email from your boss. What do you do? Do you check it, pulling yourself away from this precious moment, or do you ignore it and let yourself fully experience something you won’t get a second chance at? Prioritizing moments like these is crucial.

A relatable story that illustrates this? Think about Jane and Tom, a couple who decided to take a month-long sabbatical to travel. They'd been working non-stop for years, saving up for a bigger house, but they realized they barely spent any quality time together. During their travels, they reconnected, experienced new cultures, and created memories that they would cherish forever. It was a wake-up call. They saw that their life was happening now—not in some distant future when they might have more money or a bigger house.

So, remember, while making a living is important, it’s the moments, relationships, and personal joys that make life truly fulfilling. Don’t let work overshadow the things that bring you real happiness. Take a breath, look around, and give yourself permission to live a life that’s rich in experiences, not just in dollars.