Have you ever found yourself on autopilot, just trying to make it through the day? That was my reality for a long time. I was juggling responsibilities, meeting demands, and endlessly pushing through challenges. I didn’t even realize I was in survival mode because it had become my normal. Looking back, I see that I was stuck in a cycle that robbed me of joy, creativity, and connection. What I didn’t know then was that there was another way to live—a way to thrive and to find hope again.
Recognizing Survival Mode
For me, survival mode wasn’t dramatic or obvious. It looked like busyness. I was productive and getting things done: the bills were paid, the pets were cared for, the deadlines were met. On the surface, everything seemed fine. But underneath, I was exhausted, disconnected, and often overwhelmed. I told myself I was doing what needed to be done, but the truth was, I was just trying to stay afloat.
It wasn’t until I started to slow down and really listen to myself that I realized what was happening. I was constantly fatigued, even after a full night’s sleep. I felt disconnected from my own emotions and from the people I cared about most. I had lost my motivation and stopped dreaming about the future. I was living with a “just get through this” mentality that felt like a permanent state of being.
The Power of Hope
Hope didn’t come to me all at once. When you’re stuck in survival mode, hope can feel like an abstract or even unattainable concept. I’d hear people talk about hope and think, “That’s not my reality.” But hope doesn’t demand that you believe everything will magically fix itself overnight. For me, it started with the smallest glimmer—a quiet voice inside that said, “Maybe things can be different.”
It began with imagining small changes: a day where I felt less rushed, a future where I could pursue a dream I had buried long ago. That little spark of hope didn’t change my circumstances immediately, but it changed the way I saw them. It gave me something to hold onto.
My Journey from Surviving to Thriving
Moving out of survival mode wasn’t a single moment or decision; it was a series of small steps and realizations. Each one built on the other, and over time, I began to see the possibility of living a life that felt aligned and fulfilling.
Prioritizing My Well-Being
The first shift for me was recognizing that I couldn’t pour from an empty cup. For years, I had ignored my own needs, thinking it was selfless or necessary. But I learned the hard way that neglecting myself wasn’t sustainable. I started with the basics: getting more sleep, eating foods that nourished me, and connecting with people who weren’t always in a dark, gloomy mood. It wasn’t easy, and it didn’t happen overnight, but each small act of self-care reminded me that I mattered.
Reconnecting with My Values
When you’re in survival mode, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. For me, it is taking time to find out what brings me joy and what is most important to me. I began asking myself hard questions: What do I value? What kind of life do I want to create? Slowly, I started aligning my actions with those answers. It gave me a sense of purpose and direction I hadn’t felt in years.
Celebrating Small Wins
I’ve always been my own toughest critic, but part of my journey has been learning to celebrate progress, no matter how small. Did I carve out five minutes to breathe today? That was a win. Did I say no to something that drained me? Another win. Recognizing these moments helped me see that change was happening, even if it felt slow.
Leaning on Support
I’m not someone who likes to ask for help, but I learned that thriving isn’t something you do alone. I started having sessions with a therapist. I found supportive online communities. I’m still learning that asking for help isn’t something to feel guilty or ashamed about but I’m working on it.
Discovering Joy
Joy felt like a luxury when I was in survival mode, but I’ve learned it’s essential. I found little ways to bring joy into my life: playing my favorite music while cooking, spending time with people I care about, or revisiting hobbies I had neglected. These moments aren’t extravagant, but they are intentional, and they remind me of what it feels like to truly live.
Setting Intentional Goals
Hope grew when I started setting goals that excited me. They aren’t monumental—just small projects or skills I want to explore. But having something to look forward to reignited my enthusiasm for life and is helping me step out of survival mode.
Practicing Presence
Being PRESENT has been a game-changer for me. It doesn’t erase challenges, but it shifts my focus to what’s abundant and good. Additionally, each day I try to find at least one thing I’m grateful for, no matter how small. This practice has helped me stay grounded and hopeful, even on the hard days.
Thriving as a Lifestyle
This journey hasn’t been linear or easy. There are still days when survival mode tries to creep back in. But I’ve learned that thriving isn’t about perfection; it’s about living with intention and believing in the possibility of a better tomorrow. Hope has become my steady companion—not as a fleeting feeling, but as a way of seeing the world.
The path to thriving isn’t about grand gestures or overnight transformations. It’s about small, consistent choices that add up over time. It’s about finding hope, even in the smallest moments. And before you know it, you might just find yourself living a life that not only sustains you but lights you up from the inside out.