A pretty face, perfect pictures on social media, thousands of followers, a beautiful home, and a fancy car. Do those thing indicate you are thriving?
I was unaware I wasn’t thriving until someone advised me that being okay wasn’t thriving. I have spent the majority of my life just trying to be okay, and to be completely honest, in that moment I felt slightly judged. I’m fine; it’s fine; everything is fine, and why is it not enough for me to just be okay?! That was two and a half years ago, and I cannot stop thinking about it. I had just found out some life-changing news (a post for another day), and that was the response I got. I truly did not understand why I couldn’t just be okay.
Fast forward, I am on a mission to figure out what it actually means to thrive, how it is measured, and what I need to do to get there. One thing I do know for certain: I truly don’t want to just be okay. I know I was made for so much more.
According to Merriam-Webster, thrive means to grow vigorously, to gain in wealth or possessions, and to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances.
I have had many circumstances and traumas in my life that have definitely set me back in the thrive department, but those events have given me the strength to move forward.
- Thrive point for growing personally from life experiences.
- I took on more hours at work, and I bought a new car. Another point for a new possession.
- I bought a website domain to start a blog. Check, a point for working toward a goal.
I enjoy my new car, and I truly hope my blog will inspire others, while bringing joy into my life. These things are great, but to me they don’t scream thrive the way I thought they would.
I have decided that being at peace will ultimately drive the thrive in your life. I am excited to share my journey of letting go and allowing myself to be caught up in nothing but goodness. We have to allow ourselves to be released in order to find our true destiny. Give yourself a moment to reflect on something that might be holding you back. It might be a relationship, a job, a drink, a drug, a food, a possession, or a trauma that you need to release the hold on your life.
It is time to start your journey toward thriving with a peaceful heart!
- Be patient: For many of us, we have just been okay for years. It might take a while to release whatever is keeping us from being at peace.
- Get a beautiful journal or notebook.
- Write down some goodness (aim for at least 3) as our brains are extremely powerful, and we have to remind them how good we are. Focus on accomplishments, personality traits, gifts, or anything that brings a smile to your face.
- Now head to the back of your journal or notebook and start a place for the things in life that do not put a smile on your face. Being aware of the hurtful things in your life is the first step in the healing process.
- Try to spend time with your journal on a daily basis tracking your smiles and also anything that steals your joy.