The weight of life suffocated me, as if I was surrounded by a thick layer of mud, and every breath required all my strength. The pressure of work, the complexity of interpersonal relationships, and the uncertainty about the future left me in a deep state of anxiety and confusion. Every day is like groping in endless darkness, unable to find an exit, and unable to see the light.
Just when I was about to despair, I read Thoreau's Walden. This book is like a clear spring, instantly washing away the exhaustion and confusion in my heart. It was as if I had personally met Thoreau in his cottage by the lake, enjoying the gifts of nature alone, isolated from the world, and contemplating the true meaning of life. His words made me understand that the exhaustion and anxiety of life are mostly the shackles we put on ourselves, and we are always seeking more, but forgetting the essence of life.
On the shores of Walden, Thoreau found life as it really is. He told me that we should return to nature and feel the beauty and power of nature. It is only in nature that we can truly relax ourselves and let our inner tiredness be released. We don't need to go too far into material satisfaction, but we should focus on inner peace and contentment.
After reading Walden, I began to learn to face life by subtraction. I let go of those unnecessary worries and anxieties, and let go of those complicated trivial matters and entanglements in interpersonal relationships. I began to focus on my inner world and feel the beauty and warmth of life. I have found that life can be so simple and pure, as long as we are willing to discover and cherish it.