Fix You: Two Choices Await, Stay the Same or Change

Every morning, as eyes open, two choices quietly await. Stay the same as yesterday or try to build something better. There’s this lingering sense that something’s missing. Ever felt that way? Usually, it comes hand in hand with laziness and the big question: “What should I have for breakfast today?”

I’m reminded of a wise saying, “Everyday you have two choices. Stay the same or build something better. Building is harder. It hurts. It demands sacrifice. No one will notice but you. But years from now, when you stand on the foundation you laid, brick by painful brick, you’ll realize the struggle was the point all along.”

Building something is never easy. It takes time, energy, and sometimes an indescribable sense of exhaustion. Often, negative thoughts creep in. “Will this even work?” or “Why not just take the easier path?” But that’s exactly where the value of struggle lies. Every small decision to take a step forward is a defiance of fear and doubt.

Imagine adding a small brick every day. At first, it might look like nothing—just a pile of tiny, unimpressive efforts. But over time, that pile starts to take shape into something real. The process isn’t instant, but every small step is a victory in itself. Unless, of course, the brick falls on your toe. That’s also a process, but one that comes with a lot of pain.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be grand. What matters is consistency. Even when no one notices, even when acknowledgment feels miles away, the effort still holds meaning. Because, in the end, a strong foundation isn’t built for others; it’s built for yourself. Although, let’s admit, it wouldn’t hurt if one or two people noticed the hard work too, right?

There’s a story that comes to mind. An old friend once shared their journey of building a small business. At first, they started with almost no capital, just courage and a little savings. They dared to take risks without overthinking. Every night, they worked late, searching for ways to keep the business afloat. Often, they felt their efforts went unnoticed. No one knew how hard they were working, except themselves.

They once said, “No one saw when I sacrificed my sleep or when I endured hunger just to save a little more money. But I always remembered, this isn’t for anyone else. I’m doing it for a better future.” Now, years later, their business stands strong. But what they value most isn’t the end result; it’s the journey they took to get there.

After hearing that story, I realized that life is about moving forward, even if slowly. There are no shortcuts to something meaningful. And sometimes, the pain we feel now is part of the beautiful story we’ll cherish in the future. Even if, at the time, the only motivation was, “If I stop now, all this effort will be wasted!”

Beyond that story, there are lessons all around us. Look at those who continue learning, even as they grow older. Look at someone willing to start from scratch to chase their dreams. Life is full of small acts of bravery that often go unnoticed but leave a profound impact. All these struggles prove that everyone has the strength to create something better.

And struggle doesn’t always have to be about big things. Sometimes, it’s about waking up earlier, carving out time to read, or trying something new even if it feels awkward. These small acts, done consistently, will form habits that eventually transform lives.

Tomorrow morning, those choices will come again. Stay still or move forward. It might be tough; it might hurt. But remember, every brick you add today is part of something greater. Something that will stand strong in the future as proof that the struggle was always worth it.

So, starting tomorrow and the days that follow, I’ll try new things. Life doesn’t have to be monotonous or stuck in a comfort zone. It needs a little spice to make it truly flavorful. Maybe it starts with something simple, like trying a new dish that looks strange yet tempting on a restaurant menu, or finally working up the courage to greet a neighbor I’ve only ever seen through the fence.

Sometimes, the spice of life doesn’t come from big changes, but from the courage to take small steps. Changing a morning routine to include light exercise, watching a movie from a genre I usually avoid, or simply starting a conversation with someone new can be the beginning. It might feel a little awkward, but isn’t that what makes life exciting?

Who knows, from these small steps, unexpected stories may emerge. Stories that, later on, can be fondly remembered or even retold as jokes during gatherings with friends. Because a colorful life often comes from the courage to try and embrace the little surprises along the way.

After writing this, I feel like listening to “Fix You” by Coldplay to fully embrace the emotions. The song is simple but carries a unique feeling that inspires you to rise from nothing, even when it’s anything but easy.