“A DAY WITHOUT PROGRESS”

“Every day is a new day,” they say. But for many in today’s world—whether a salaried worker or a student—each day feels strikingly similar.

It’s as though we are trapped in a loop, repeating the same cycle: wake up, eat, work, worry about a future that feels increasingly out of reach, and sleep. The rhythm of life has become mechanical, a monotonous cycle devoid of the excitement and spontaneity we once knew.

Do you remember the feeling of a school holiday? That childlike excitement, when the promise of a day off felt almost magical. Free time was spent playing with friends, building small forts that became our secret hideouts, or simply enjoying the joy of being present.

For those of us fortunate enough, we even had game consoles, and the thrill of playing together with friends—whether at my place or theirs—was incomparable. Back then, we lived fully, immersed in the moment, without the burdens that now weigh so heavily on us.

But today, that excitement has faded. The burdens of adulthood—dreams, financial pressures, family expectations, societal demands—have replaced the lightness of those youthful days. These burdens strip away our peace, leaving only stress in their wake. It’s not that we lack the ability to achieve; many of us work hard enough to ensure we can provide a meal for ourselves or our families each day. But this isn’t seen as success—it’s survival.

We work tirelessly, yet we don’t enjoy life. We can’t indulge in the things we love or take time for ourselves without worrying about tomorrow. And so, we ask: Why is it that only the privileged seem to truly live, while the rest of us merely survive? What does success even mean? Why do we chase it? Why do we seek validation from others, letting them dictate whether we are successful or not?

The truth is, these are illusions society’s constructs that suggest only the rich truly live, while the rest of us struggle through a series of repetitive days, with no real progress. But this view is deeply flawed. We are not robots simply going through the motions. With each day, we learn. We grow. We adapt. Our understanding deepens, our thoughts become richer, and that—despite what society may say—is progress.

It’s easy to overlook our personal growth because it doesn’t look like the kind of success we’ve been taught to admire. We don’t measure our progress by the size of our bank accounts, and perhaps we shouldn’t. Is life really just about wealth? Is it about comparison? If I’m not living as comfortably as someone else, does that mean I’m not living at all—merely surviving?


In truth, every day is new, and every day contributes to our journey. Just because we don’t live as the rich do, in ease and luxury, doesn’t mean we aren’t living. We endure hardships, we face struggles, and we adapt. We are constantly evolving, yet we fail to appreciate our new selves, blinded by societal standards that tell us success is wealth. But life is more than that.

Success is personal. It is not defined by society or by the wealth we accumulate. For some, living a simple life, free of excessive burdens, is success. We need to understand and embrace our differences, to live life on our own terms—not as society dictates. Define success for yourself, and don’t let the world convince you otherwise. For you, success might be peace, contentment, or simply living a life that is true to who you are. And that, in itself, is a life well-lived.

By: Robrayl(AJ)

Writer’s note:

“Progress is slow and steady it takes time to show its signs, just like trees growing”.