Getting Back to Basics: Rediscovering Joy After Living in Survival Mode

In the hustle and bustle of life, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. I recently discovered that for the past year and a half, I've found myself caught in a cycle of putting out one fire after another, without even realizing that I've been operating in survival mode. As someone who has faced countless challenges throughout life, I've become adept at functioning in this space, but little did I know, it was all a trauma response. Thinking I'm okay, but really am I? We are meant to be way more than simply okay in life.

It took me a while to recognize that I had been living with the belief that I couldn't be okay unless everyone else in my life was okay. This deeply ingrained belief, formed early in childhood, had been robbing me of the joy and peace I desperately craved. But once I became aware of it, I realized that I had the power to interrupt it and replace it with a new belief—one that would grant me the sense of peace I had been seeking all along.

Interrupting old patterns like this is no easy feat. Until we uncover these hidden beliefs, they run in the background, shaping how we see the world and our place in it. But with awareness comes the opportunity for change. When I shared my discovery with my family and friends, all they want was for me to take care of myself—to prioritize my own well-being above all else.

And so, I've recommitted to my journey of self-discovery and self-care. I know the importance of continually assessing the beliefs that shape our world. While these beliefs may not always be visible at first, we can observe our behaviors and the areas where we feel stuck to uncover them.

Recently, I found solace in a visit to the ocean. As I watched the waves crash against the shore, I realized that it was time to get back to basics. I've recommitted to prioritizing the tools that I know make a difference in maintaining my mental, emotional, and physical well-being—daily gratitude practices, spending time by the ocean, journaling, and more.

In embracing the basics, I'm rediscovering the joy that had been eluding me for so long. And while the journey ahead may not always be easy, life is afterall both pleasure and pain, I take comfort in knowing that I have the awareness and the tools to navigate it with grace and resilience.