In a world filled with trends, opinions, and influencers, it is easy to follow the crowd instead of thinking for ourselves. But true growth begins when we choose to become students curious, disciplined, and willing to learn from every experience. As Jim Rohn wisely said, “Formal education will make you a living, self-education will make you a fortune.” Being a student means seeking knowledge, developing our own perspective, and continuously improving. Rather than blindly following others, we should learn from them, think independently, and create our own path to success.
Jim Rohn’s message, “Be a student, not a follower,” encourages us to keep learning while thinking independently. Being a student means listening to others, gaining knowledge, and learning from their experiences, but it does not mean accepting everything blindly. A follower simply copies the crowd, while a student asks questions, develops personal understanding, and makes thoughtful decisions. This quote reminds us that success comes from continuous learning and using knowledge to create our own path in life.
Sucked into passive scrolling
In this day and age it is easy to get caught in the cycle of passive scrolling and following what everyone else is doing. Social media has become an important part of our daily lives. It is where we follow famous people, creators, and influencers whose content we enjoy, while also keeping up with the latest news, trends, and events. Through social media, we can stay connected with the topics, people, and interests we love, making it an easy and convenient way to remain informed and entertained. Social media keeps us engaged with constant distractions. Its endless stream of content encourages us to keep scrolling.
Using social media excessively can alter the way your brain processes reward and satisfaction. At first, every like, notification, and engaging video delivers a quick rush of dopamine, creating an instant feeling of pleasure and excitement. Over time, however, the brain adapts to this constant overstimulation. Eventually normal scrolling ceases to feel enjoyable, leading to a state of digital burnout where the screen offers little fulfillment. I experienced this firsthand when the effortless rewards of browsing gradually lost their appeal, leaving behind a sense of empty consumption where scrolling no longer brought any real pleasure.
Excessive social media use can make you feel miserable. Although it may provide quick moments of entertainment and connection. Spending too much time scrolling can leave you feeling mentally tired, distracted, and dissatisfied. This misery deepened because I had gradually become a blind follower. Instead of thinking critically or pursuing genuine personal interests. Surrendering my individuality in that way created an underlying sense of emptiness. Because consuming other people’s lives leaves little room to build a meaningful voice or purpose of your own.
A Light of My Own
The solar eclipse on the 12th of August symbolises a moment of transition for me. Its darkness represents the end of expectations for opportunities from organisations. That realization carries a heavy weight, but it also carries immense liberation. When you wait for an organisation or an employer to grant you an opportunity, you are essentially asking for permission to exist. As well as growing and succeed on their terms. Recognizing that any opportunity is never going to be handed down ends the exhausting cycle of waiting, hoping, and compromising.
It marks the exact boundary where reliance ends and agency begins. No opens doors for me, so I’ll build my own foundation. The solar reminds us that even darkness can mark a new beginning. As the light returns, it teaches us to release the past. And moving forward with renewed hope and clarity. During the partial eclipse in London, I felt curious about the changing colours in the sky. They invited me to reflect on my own light and explore the possibility of creating my own business. I’m slowly exploring an opportunity at the moment in creating a business. Taking my time before making a final decision whether I will go ahead or not.
The lunar eclipse on the 27th of August arrived as a quiet wave of emotional cleansing, right after the solar eclipse cleared the path. Standing at this crossroads now makes total sense. I shed my old fear of missing out, choosing patience over rush. Rather than copying someone else’s script or persona. I follow my own genuine curiosity. This opportunity may serve as a stepping stone to something greater. It could provide me the tools in being a business owner. But I remain cautious and moving forward as my own guide rather than a blind follower.
The Mirage of Modern Cults
Watching the French movie Gourou felt like a reminder to keep a critical mind. The film is about the rise and fall of a coaching Empire. Mathieu Vasseur (Actor Pierre Niney), a charismatic coach who draws thousands to electrified seminars by promising instant breakthroughs. Only to hide calculated staging and emotional control behind his benevolent smile. His seminar audiences, through carefully staged performances that make him appear insightful and compassionate. Mathieu manipulates nearly everyone around him by turning their pain and need for healing into emotional dependence. Especially a young man called Julien, whose painful childhood experiences make him deeply receptive to Mathieu’s message.
At first, Mathieu’s coaching gives him hope and a sense of healing. But Julien gradually becomes emotionally dependent on him. He begins to seek Mathieu’s approval rather than trust his own judgement. When government regulations threaten his fabricated empire, his mask slips. Exposing how easily (In some cases) a quest for self-improvement turns into toxic dependence and manipulation. Where online platforms overflow with motivational content and millions chase quick fixes for complex struggles. The movie delivers a vital wake-up call to navigate this space with clear boundaries and healthy scepticism.
Some modern self-development groups increasingly adopt predatory cult-like structures. They do so without ever invoking religion, spirituality, or mysticism. Some charismatic lifestyle influencers weaponize corporate rhetoric, neuro-linguistic programming, productivity hacks. What I find toxic is a view of rigidity of high performance and personal growth. It discourage vulnerability and honesty. On top of that it dismiss equality and inclusion. Listening to influencers can inspire us to explore new ideas, habits, and possibilities. We should ask ourselves what genuinely applies to our lives, what evidence supports it. what takeaway we can use in a practical way. Instead of comparing ourselves with others or trying to imitate them, we should examine our own circumstances honestly, recognise our strengths and limitations. Also choosing changes that reflect our individual goals.
We must remain curious students of life who test ideas independently, value genuine learning, and trust our own discernment rather than trading our personal power.
The Sovereignty of the Student
Choosing to be a student rather than a follower defines the ultimate boundary between personal sovereignty and self-erasure. A follower surrenders judgment to charismatic authorities, trades critical thought for easy certainty, and measures success against an external blueprint. In contrast an active student treats external insights as raw materials rather than absolute truths. When we approach life with disciplined curiosity, we retain our agency and interrogate every claim. We filter advice through our own values and lived experience.
Cultivating a student’s mindset protects us from the predatory manipulation or digital burnout. By committing to independent learning, we develop the courage to navigate uncertainty. We build resilience not by copying someone else’s formula, but by developing our own voice. Testing ideas with honest discernment, and directing our own future. As mentioned earlier I’m exploring an opportunity. So I’m carefully considering how it could support my personal journey. Besides how it can contribute to the development of my business. I am asking myself whether it aligns with my goals, values, and long-term vision before deciding whether to take the risk.
Whether it leads to success or failure, I would treat the experience as a valuable lesson. Allowing me to grow, adapt, and continue learning as a student.
