I Chose the Safe Life, and I Regret It

I did everything I was supposed to do. I chose the stable job. I followed the predictable path. I made decisions that made sense on paper. Everyone said I was smart. But no one asked if I was happy. Now I wake up every morning feeling like I’m living someone else’s life. There’s no fire. No excitement. No meaning. Just routine. And sometimes I wonder… What would have happened if I had been brave instead of careful?