"Une vie non examinée ne vaut pas la peine d'être vécue."

Life is full of moments that can slip by if we don't take the time to stop and really think about them. This idea—that a life without reflection isn't truly lived—is powerful and, honestly, kind of humbling.

So, what’s the core idea here? It's that you need to take a step back now and then, look at what you're doing, and ask yourself if it’s meaningful. If you just go through the motions without questioning why you’re doing what you’re doing, you might miss out on truly understanding yourself and your purpose.

A little history for you: This quote is attributed to Socrates, a classical Greek philosopher. He lived around 470-399 BC and spent a lot of time challenging people to think critically about their beliefs and lives. He believed that self-examination was the key to a virtuous and meaningful life. He got in trouble for it, though—he was sentenced to death for supposedly corrupting the youth of Athens and impiety. During his trial, he said that the “unexamined life is not worth living,” asserting that a life without philosophical reflection was empty.

Let’s take a practical example. Think about a person working in a high-powered corporate job. They’re earning a ton of money, climbing the career ladder, and seemingly have everything figured out. But deep down, they're feeling unfulfilled. They don’t know why, because they’ve never stopped to question if they actually enjoy what they do or if it aligns with their values. One day, after a particularly exhausting meeting, they decide to take a break. They spend some time reflecting, perhaps even talking to a career coach or a close friend. In doing so, they realize they’ve always wanted to work in a more creative field. With this newfound self-knowledge, they start making changes—maybe taking a class, looking for different job opportunities, or even starting a side project. Their life takes a new direction, one that feels more authentic and fulfilling.

Here's some advice on applying this wisdom: Start small. You don’t need to overhaul your whole life overnight. Try setting aside a few minutes each day to reflect. Ask yourself questions like, "What made me happy today?" or "Is what I'm doing aligned with what I truly care about?" Journaling can be a great tool for this. Or maybe you prefer talking things out with a friend or mentor. The important thing is to make it a habit. Over time, you’ll get better at noticing when things feel off and figuring out why.

Imagine this scenario: You’re at a coffee shop with a friend, and they seem a bit down. You ask what’s wrong, and they say they feel stuck. They’re not happy in their job, but they don’t know what else to do. You tell them about the idea that an unexamined life isn’t worth living. You suggest they start reflecting on what makes them happy and what they’re passionate about. They take your advice and start journaling. A few months later, they tell you they've decided to pursue a new career path that excites them. They’re still figuring it out, but they feel more alive and true to themselves than they have in years.

There you have it. The idea is simple but profound: take the time to understand yourself and make sure your life is aligned with who you are and what you value. It can make all the difference.