Rajeev Verma
Life moves in only one direction—forward. Each passing day carries us away from a version of ourselves we will never meet again. The age you are today, with its energy, experiences, limitations, and possibilities, will never return. This truth is not meant to create fear or regret; it is meant to awaken awareness. You will never be at this age again—so do what makes you happy.
Too often, people postpone happiness. They tell themselves, “I’ll start living once I achieve this goal,” or “I’ll follow my passion later, when life is more settled.” But life does not pause. Time keeps moving, silently and steadily, and waiting for the “perfect moment” often means missing the moment entirely. Happiness is not a destination reached after checking all the boxes; it is a choice made daily, in alignment with who you are right now.
The Illusion of “Later”
One of the greatest traps of adulthood is the belief that there will always be more time. More time to travel, to learn something new, to express love, to change direction, or to follow a dream. While planning for the future is important, sacrificing the present for an imagined tomorrow can quietly drain life of its joy.
Every age comes with its own strengths. There are things you can do now—physically, emotionally, mentally—that may not be as easy later. Your current age carries a unique combination of wisdom and vitality. Ignoring that gift in the hope of a future moment is like refusing to open a present because you are waiting for a better occasion.
Happiness Is Personal, Not Universal
What makes you happy may not make sense to others—and that is perfectly okay. Society often pushes fixed definitions of success: a certain career, a certain lifestyle, a certain timeline. But happiness does not follow a standard formula. For some, it lies in adventure; for others, in stability. Some find joy in solitude, others in community. Some chase dreams loudly, others live them quietly.
The moment you stop measuring your happiness against someone else’s life, you reclaim your freedom. You were not born to fulfill expectations that drain your soul. You were born to live a life that feels true to you. Doing what makes you happy does not mean being selfish; it means being honest.
Fear Is Natural, Regret Is Optional
Fear often stands between us and happiness. Fear of judgment, fear of failure, fear of change. These fears are human, but allowing them to dictate your life comes at a cost. That cost is regret.
Regret rarely comes from the things we tried and failed at; it comes from the chances we never took. When people look back on their lives, they don’t wish they had worked more hours or pleased more people. They wish they had lived more authentically. They wish they had listened to their inner voice instead of silencing it.
You don’t have to eliminate fear to move forward. You simply have to value your happiness more than your fear.
Small Joys Matter as Much as Big Dreams
Doing what makes you happy does not always require drastic life changes. Sometimes, it is found in small, intentional choices—taking time for a hobby, spending moments with people who uplift you, choosing rest without guilt, or saying no when something feels wrong.
Happiness grows when you respect your own needs. When you stop overworking yourself to prove worth. When you allow yourself to enjoy life without constantly justifying it. Small joys, practiced consistently, build a fulfilling life.
Your Age Is Not a Limitation
Many people believe they are either “too young” or “too old” to start something new. But every age has its own power. Youth brings energy and curiosity. Maturity brings clarity and experience. There is no expiration date on passion, learning, or reinvention.
What limits people is not age—it is mindset. The belief that the best days are behind you can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. But when you decide that your current age is an opportunity rather than an obstacle, life opens up in surprising ways.
Time Is the One Thing You Can’t Earn Back
You can earn money again. You can rebuild relationships. You can recover from mistakes. But time, once gone, is gone forever. This is why living intentionally matters.
Doing what makes you happy does not mean ignoring responsibility; it means choosing a life that feels meaningful while honoring your duties. It means not waiting until burnout, illness, or loss forces you to reevaluate your priorities.
The present moment is where life happens. Not in the past you replay, and not in the future you imagine.
Choosing Happiness Is an Act of Courage
Living in alignment with your happiness requires courage. It may mean disappointing others. It may mean changing direction. It may mean standing alone for a while. But courage is not the absence of difficulty—it is the decision that your life is worth living fully.
When you choose happiness, you set an example. You show others that it is possible to live with intention, joy, and self-respect. And in doing so, you inspire permission—for yourself and for those around you.
Honor This Moment
You will never be at this age again. This version of you—with your current dreams, struggles, strength, and potential—exists only once. Honor that truth.
Do what makes you happy, not someday, not after everything is perfect, but now—within your circumstances, within your reality. Choose joy in ways big or small. Choose authenticity over approval. Choose a life you won’t regret.
Because one day, you will look back at this age and remember the choices you made. Let those memories be filled with courage, intention, and happiness.
RAJEEV VERMA 