How to Survive in 2025

It's a question I think everyone's asking by this point.

How do you survive in a world that's been turned on its head?

I mean, one could make an excellent argument that for the first time in human history, reality is not real anymore. AI can fabricate anything it wants. Rampant social media usage distorts lies into truth on a common basis. Human intelligence has collectively degraded to the point of mush; I have no doubt there are quite a few Gen Z (and most certainly Gen Alpha) guys and gals out there who would honestly believe you if you told them the sky was green, never even bothering to check for themselves.

As for dating, oh, what a joy. Once again, technology has distorted the original view, allowing folks' worst sins rampage without barrier, anonymous profiles and easy access to fakes aiding them the entire time. It's no longer about love anymore, at least in a good chunk of scenarios; no, it's a descent into the flesh. Those left who still seek love simply for love's sake are left on the short end either way, seeing as there's no efficient way anymore for these types of folks to find each other. Real-life communication? Everyone's either too awkward, too unused to talking IRL, or simply worried about making the other person uncomfortable; "Why should I ask for that girl's number? She'll likely reject me." "Why should I talk to that guy over there? He probably doesn't even care."

To be fair, there has been quite an explosion in both anti-male and anti-female hatred on both sides. The fear isn't exactly unfounded.

That's what's so horrifying about all this.

The technology and position that should allow us to come together has only sewn more hatred and division in our lives.

The number-one region you can find this in is politics. I won't divulge into my views too much, considering I'm something of an oddity in this region, bouncing around every now and again (always tryna find the best solution to... everything, I suppose?). However, from what I've seen, it's explosive. All of it. Walkouts, court brawls, mudslinging galore; the media, both legacy (like FOX and CNN) and modern (like X and TikTok), have only been making it worse. Albeit, this kind of stuff has been going on for a while among the halls of the mountain king down in D.C, it's only now we're seeing it pour out into the common man's life.

You like Trump? No room for bigots like you. You happened to support Kamala? Get out of here, wokeist.

Have we forgotten that each and every single one of us are still human?

Seems we have.

So...

...What now?

I assume most of y'all reading are young, too, 15-20, maybe younger, maybe older.

Doesn't matter.

These methods still apply.

1. Smack Back at the Media

Doesn't matter if it's conservative or it's liberal, if it's tiktok or X, if it's your cousin's sister's hairdresser who heard a rumor from a guy downtown. 

Shut. It. Out.

Media's whole goal is to make you think the world's ending 24/7, 365. It's literally how they make money. Don't give them a platform in your mind to make this happen. Focus on yourself and focus on your own life. After all, the only thing in politics and current events that should concern you is the economy; everything else that occurs will likely have little to no effect on your own life.

Why waste your time worrying about something happening on the other side of the country, or God forbid, the other side of the world?

2. Ignore Everyone's (Unnecessary) Opinions

Now, let me clarify. Does this mean you should simply ignore everyone around you, flip them all the bird and lock yourself away from society?

No.

Don't be an idiot.

Just block out all the actual idiots.

There are always gonna be people out there providing their unnecessary thoughts and burdening you with all sorts of crap you really don't need. As long as it's not harmful or disruptive to those around you, why should other folks care about what you're doing?

Dance in the halls.

Pour soda through your fingers.

Sing a little, hm?

It's not hurting anyone.

Sure, it's a bit weird, but if you wish to survive in such an insane world then you need to go in the opposite direction. This will make you more normal.

Yes, more normal.

Screw lust. Screw social pressure. Screw "nonchalance."

You're already four parallel universes ahead of everyone else.

Oh, and remember how I mentioned the economy earlier?

3. Plan Ahead

Nothing in life is certain. Everything is volatile and is likely to change in an instant. Even if you don't want to, if you want to survive you're gonna have to plan for every scenario you can in life.

Provide yourself some extra time the next day for homework just in case something disrupts your normal schedule. Set aside some money for an emergency fund in the scenario something goes wrong. Pre-prepare a conversation with someone you really need to have one with and wait for the right time to do so.

If anything were to stand in your way last-minute, you'll be able to change tactics swiftly, allowing for minimal damage at the end of the day.

Out of everything here, though, if you were to walk away with anything, it'd be this:

Be yourself.

Yes, yes, I know, the cheesy corporate answer. But it's true, honestly.

The more you try to put on a mask, the more you grow to fit it. If you lose your sense of self, then who are you, really? A shadow of a human and a shell of a person. Someone pretending to be something they're not, a reminder of what they used to be.

Quite frankly, it would be better for one to let themselves fall off a cliff than to lose their sense of self. Personality death is one of the worst fates a man or woman could face.

Don't let it happen.

Hold fast to who you are through thick and thin.

Keep yourself grounded in reality, keep your heart set fast in morality, and keep your mind set upon your own future.

Your plans.

Your great story.

It's only just beginning; don't let all those around you bring it to an early end.

And that, my friends, is a complete guide on how to survive in 2025.