We have all heard the expression “ignorance is bliss.” It might seem simple for many of us, and untrue for many others, but only few truly see the transcendence of this peculiar phrase.
Personally, the phrase appeared to me to be a reflection of mediocre attitude towards life. I would never have considered lack of knowledge, ignorance, to be at all beneficial to us. But the true meaning of the phrase has little by little been unraveled to me.
I, as many people in Laredo do, come from a conservative Mexican household, where family values are strictly enforced and topics such as diversity, sexuality, and individualism are rarely discussed and hardly ever enforced. People with such characteristics experience cultural clashes that in young adulthood can create serious role confusion.
The front section of our brains, prefontral cortex, is the part in charge of decision making, planning, and social control. The development of this section of our brains begins in early childhood, but is not fully developed until the early 20s. Biologically, we are not fully prepared to clearly differentiate social roles and accordingly decide throughout our adolescence and young adulthood years when, ironically, these are the years when we most need it. There are various standards young adults have to follow in order to adapt to various changes. For example, transforming into college students after four relaxing years of high school; a cared-for live-at-home kid goes out into the world to start a life of their own. Also, these are the years where serious relationships are born, and, with such, the experiencing of both honeymoon phases and the four or five years anniversaries.
Although being in a relationship requires us portraying a specific role, there is a difference in how we are at the beginning and after some time. This is how it works for most of our experiences, we are constantly required to change roles and attend to different rules. We are expected to behave a certain way socially, while at home we are preferred to be a bit or a lot different. The same goes to being in school as compared to the weekends, being with friends as compared to being with strangers, going out to run as compared to going out to party, and so many more examples.
Although we deal with role differences throughout our entire lives, it is during young adulthood when we more clearly define our identity. At this stage of a person’s life there are many experiences that bring about different opinions, prejudices, biases, and judgments. With not complete biological skills to decide and too many choices to make, young adulthood becomes a knot of influences. And this is where ignorance as a lifesaver comes in.
Let’s not confuse ignorance with lack of education. The ignorance than the phrase refers to is one of simple thoughts and prejudice-free relationships. The word “simple” is not part of a college student vocabulary for most part of a busy schedule. Classes, the future, assignments, research papers, job, the future, exams, paying bills, tuition, social life, family, the future, and many other individual concerns structure networks of worries that seize the bliss of a young adult. Although one might think weekend parties and crazy spring brakes can balance out a stressing schedule, it is not enough to enjoy life in such extremes. What happens to the moments between the moments? The 15 minutes between class and class, the ride home after a long day at work, lunch hour, or even a quiet dinner with family become irrelevant to our happiness when in fact it is right there where true joy emerges.
To be willing to let go of judgements can lighten the burdens of a demanding social life. Learning to appreciate the moments in between can multiply the joy in our days by many times. Reshape your attitude into truly observing what surrounds you instead of looking to being observed. A therapeutical secret to anxiety is to re-direct your personal stage light into lighting something other than yourself. In a world where excellence is defined by words like more, different, and busy, practicing ignorance can relieve pressure. After all, no matter what profession, the people that are most admired are genuine. Smile.