Caught in the Replay: Liv’s Story and the Power of Choice

Liv was still tense because of the store incident. She gave the car a little gas to squeeze out the feeling of anger. Not smart, but she was angry. She wasn’t so much mad at him as she was at herself. She thought, “I always eat the same crap.”

She managed to pull herself together. After all, she had been avoiding Anna like the plague for three months.

She took a deep breath and put on a half-smile. Anna beamed from ear to ear.

By the third sip of coffee, Anna was already talking about successful projects at work, seeing a really great guy, and even redecorating her apartment a bit. Then she looked at Liv with interest:

— So, what’s up with you, wanderer?

Liv smiled:

— I’m good, really. She wanted to say, “Damn, I live the same week over and over,” but decided to say:

— Same old, nothing spectacular. Still working the same job, haha, on Mondays I’m already thinking about Friday.

— Why don’t you finally change jobs? Anna suggested.

— Oh yes, everyone’s waiting for me, — Liv replied sarcastically.

She continued in her usual tone:

— I feel safe there, I know what to expect. Like my colleague, next to whom I feel like a voluntary blood donor. When I want to say, “Get lost, I have my own work,” he tilts his head, says, “Come on, Liv, be a team player,” flashes a smile, and leaves. Still, his legs stick out of the boss’s ass, better not to touch that. Could get smelly. Then I think, maybe tomorrow I should look at some job offers.

 And weekends, I think nobody’s happier than me, just slowly relaxing. You know, Monday comes slower if you do nothing, — Liv said, laughing at herself. — That’s life, we move on.

From another perspective:

Life often turns into a replay before we even notice. We become content because there are no changes, because changes usually mean problems. We tend to expect the worst, so it’s easier to stay in the familiar than to risk the unknown. Even worse, if we constantly say “I should,” we actually block ourselves and don’t move forward.

Liv accepted her everyday life because she doesn’t believe it can get better. Why do we hold onto our usual habits? Because we don’t believe that different can also mean better.

Children who have never tasted chocolate don’t crave it — they don’t even know it exists. Similarly, we often don’t realize what happiness and satisfaction could be waiting for us if we take a step toward change.

We often believe life must be hard, that success comes only through hard work and sweat, and that only the “chosen ones” succeed. But those “chosen ones” succeeded because they decided to be that way. Happiness and strength come from a decision, not as a consequence of catastrophe. We put out fires instead of preventing the forest from burning in the first place.

Liv fell into monotony. Fear of change extinguished her desire to dream, to wish, to pursue hobbies, and to find a better job. She feels mild anxiety about work and spends weekends resting with chips and a little depression. It’s not a disaster, but she’s on the edge.

What’s happening with Liv?

Passivity / helplessness — Liv is not only anxious but feels trapped in her habits and fears, which often come with a sense of helplessness. She fears change and lacks the strength or belief to make it happen.

Depressive moments - She experiences melancholy, fatigue, and lack of motivation, often consequences of anxiety and stagnation.

Lack of self-confidence / self-esteem - She is angrier at herself than at her surroundings, showing inner criticism and low self-worth, big obstacles to change.

Fear of the unknown - Uncertainty and the unknown often lead to stagnation and rejection of change.

Habit and comfort zone - Liv is stuck in the “replay” of her life, showing how familiar and comfortable - even if bad, is stronger than the desire for change.

Social isolation - Avoiding Anna for three months “like the plague” shows how she withdraws from social contacts, which can increase feelings of loneliness and helplessness.

Don’t wait for life to force changes on you — that means change is imposed. Power and strength lie in voluntary and conscious decisions to make small changes on the path to becoming “Chosen.”