What is Waiting To Start Living Syndrome?

We’ve all said the line: “I’ll wait to do this until (fill in the blank).” 

We often push things we want to do, create or experience away until some “perfect” time arrives. This “perfect” time, however, never seems to arrive, leaving us idle while time dwindles. This phenomena has a name: waiting-to-start-living syndrome.

What Is Waiting to Start Living Syndrome?

Waiting-to-start living syndrome is a mindset that convinces us to put off living life. It’s built on excuses, fears, and the misconception that there is some perfect moment in our lives when we’ll finally be ready to be and do all we desire. In Eckhart Tolle’s words, waiting-to-start-living syndrome is, “one of the most common delusions of the unconscious state.”

You don’t have to wait for something ‘meaningful’ to come into your life so that you can finally enjoy what you do. There is more meaning in joy than you will ever need. The ‘waiting to start living’ syndrome is one of the most common delusions of the unconscious state.

Eckhart Tolle

I can recount the times I’ve fallen victim to the “waiting to live” thinking and procrastinated pursuing things in my life. In some odd way it was easier to fantasize about things I wanted to do in my life rather than taking action. It gave me something to look forward to, something to talk about when people asked me about future plans or about new ventures I wanted to start. 

I never questioned the logic behind putting off certain things in surrender to some unknown future. People around me put off living life all the time, so it wasn’t abnormal for me to do the same. 

The mortality humans possess never seems to cross our minds or implant a sense of urgency to live life to the fullest before it’s too late. The exact moment I faced my own mortality can’t be pinpointed, but I’m certain that ever since then, I saw things in a new light.

Facing Mortality and Perspective

“Waiting-to-start-living” syndrome plagues a lot of us unknowingly. We think we have time —  all the time in the world to sit around for an idealized future that may never arrive. 

“Do you think you are gonna die?” Yogi and author Sadhaguru asked during a conference. After the audience laughed at this inquiry, Sadhaguru continued, “No, because most people believe other people die.” 

Death can appear as an abstract concept until it hits close to home. We see people lose their lives every day in the news, and we’ve become desensitized, detaching ourselves from the similar fate we have to them. 

Acknowledging that one day we will depart our earthly home can give us some much needed perspective. If life is certain to end one mysterious day, then why do we possess the audacity to waste even a single minute? 

I used to think that speaking of death was taboo. It was uncomfortable and sometimes saddening for me to even think about (it still is), but I’m trying to use the reality of death as a reminder to enjoy every minute of life. 

Stop Waiting and Start Living Now

“I’ll wait to do this until…” should be erased from our vocabulary. Relinquishing the phrase all together is freeing because it gives you the power to decide to live your life now — not tomorrow or next year but now. 

Today is all we’ve got, so make the most of it. 

If you’re looking for a practical approach, check out my Waiting to Start Living Guide for exercises and strategies to take action now.

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Have you ever caught yourself waiting for the “right time” to live? Share your experience in the comments — I’d love to hear your story.

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