The Myth of “Getting Your Life Together”
There’s a phrase people throw around like it’s a milestone: “I’m trying to get my life together.” It sounds responsible. Motivated. Admirable. But here’s the truth most people won’t admit out loud: No one actually feels like their life is together. Not fully. Not consistently. Not in the way the phrase implies. We’ve built an entire culture around the illusion of personal order — color‑coded calendars, productivity hacks, morning routines, habit trackers, and endless advice about optimizing every corner of your existence. And yet, behind all that structure, people still feel scattered, behind, and vaguely overwhelmed. The problem isn’t that people are disorganized. The problem is that the standard for “having your life together” is impossible. The Illusion of Other People’s Order Most of the pressure comes from comparison. You see someone who seems put‑together — the coworker with the perfect planner, the friend who posts their gym routine, the neighbor who somehow manages to ...