Hello Friends, When was the last time you were in survival mode? Really. Stop and think about it. Are you surviving or thriving? Perhaps you’re in survival mode right now. Maybe you’re in the middle of moving… or you have several kids needing to get to activities on a daily basis… or you’re in a crisis situation like a dying parent or caretaker for an injured family member. Or maybe it’s the little things that have just crept up on you over time.
And for this, I offer compassion and grace. Life can be so challenging at times, can’t it? This is why we slip into survival mode. And sometimes it is necessary.
But survival mode is exhausting. I know, life sometimes demands it, but the danger is getting stuck there. And we all know that we can’t stay there forever.
So, here are some ways to stay mindful and check if you’ve slipped into a life of surviving or thriving:
First, notice the signs of surviving or thriving
What are the signs? Fatigue, pushing through, disconnecting with what you need, your health takes a back seat, and you’re never quite able to finish your task list. It’s that haunting feeling that you’re always behind. And joy seems elusive.
Second, begin taking your life back by simply stopping… and breathing.
This in itself is a defiant act of self-care and a declaration that you deserve more. More importantly, this creates the space you need to reach for clarity with new questions that have to do with RELEASE and RESPONSIBILITY. Getting unstuck from surviving life is about two things: Releasing what you can and recognizing the responsibilities that are not yours to hold.
Once we have this clarity, we can begin shifting out of a life where we ignore our needs and into one where meeting our needs makes us more whole. And it is out of this wholeness that we love and care for those around us. We are able to offer our best.
This is where we begin to thrive again.
Because I am passionate about this journey, I offer resources to encourage and empower you. I have a chapter entitled, Survive or Thrive in my first book, The Life You’re Made For, that is available on audiobook, hard copy, or e-book. And if you want to dig even deeper, you can get the Coaching Companion that goes with it. Give yourself the attention you need to take a moment and reflect whether you are surviving or thriving. Because we need you thriving. Our world is counting on you.
Cheering you on,