Recently, I found myself walking down the same street I walked years ago, when I was employed by someone else.  Ugh.  Being in that space, on that street, brought me right back to where I was those many years ago.  And where I was – was a mess.  I hated my job.  I was nervous and anxious all of the time because I was so worried that I wasn’t doing this job, that I hated, right.  I was scared to death to make a mistake.

That’s literally all I thought about during those years.  Who’s going to yell at me now?  Because trust me, it was a weekly if not daily occurrence.  My confidence was in the toilet.  And because that’s all I was focused on, I can see now, that I got more of it.  You know what you know.  When you know better, you do better.  I think either Maya Angelou or Oprah Winfrey said something like that.  Of course, in that moment, and in that space, I did not know this.  Now that I do know better……….I’m sharing my insight with you.

Looking back now, I’m wondering, why did I care?  Why was I so anxious and scared?  It didn’t frigging matter.  It was a sucky job and I did not belong there.  So I left.  And that was scary.  What would have been even scarier, though, would have been staying.

Once I left, I began to shift out of survival mode.  I began to calm down and think about myself.  Which was a foreign concept because up to that point in my life, I only thought of others first.  Always.  Back then, beginning to think of myself and then giving myself permission to take care of myself – what is this concept?  At first I thought I was being selfish.  Looking at where I am now, I always take care of myself first.  I have found that when I don’t, I do not have the energy or the love to give to others.

Anyway, back to walking down this street, present tense……..I realized that I was completely different.  I am smiling, happy and very, very grateful for the woman I have become.  I am now choosing to be in this space.  I am choosing the people that I am spending my time with. I am thriving, not surviving.

Does this sound familiar?  Do you feel like you are in survival mode?  I have a secret to tell you – you can change that!  I know this to be true because I did it.  

What does thriving look like to you?  What needs to happen in order for you to thrive?

❤️Coach Wendy

P.S.  If you are looking for community and connection, I invite you to join my private FB group Life-On Purpose.  This is a community of individuals who are seeking to live their lives authentically and purposefully AND happily.  Join us!