Do you ever feel like you are going through life merely surviving rather than truly thriving? I spent years feeling like this and some days, even some weeks I can still feel like this.
Those times when life just feels really demanding, like I am spending a lot of time trying to please a lot of people and yet often still end up simply feeling anxious, guilty, inadequate, tired and sometimes overwhelmed with life. Often while ‘everyone’ else looks like they have it all together, at least from the outside. It never helps when I compare my insides with other peoples outsides!
Over time, although it felt really counter intuitive, I became aware that to start to really thrive in my life I needed to slow down. I needed to take responsibility for my choices and actions in life, rather than feeling like a victim to my life. I needed to learn how to say no to those things and people that didn’t align to what brings joy, meaning and purpose to my life. I needed to find some self-compassion and practice self-care!
I learnt to deeply appreciate the simple things in life, the sunshine on my back, a cuddle with my puppy, a hug, a cup of tea with a girlfriend, a swim in the ocean, a good book, time with my son, with my friends, with my partner. I learnt to feel gratitude. To focus and let in the goodness which is all around us. And to practice acceptance and learn from the challenges that will always come with being a human being.
Much of the time now I do feel like I am thriving and as Maya Angelo’s other quote goes ‘My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style’…sounds like a wonderful recipe to me! What’s your recipe for thriving?
With great warmth
Jo
