Tackling Survival Mode

Last Saturday afternoon, I took to IG Live to discuss what survival mode really meant. Initially, I thought it had to do with career-driven women who were trapped in their traditional paths and were trying to escape.

To my realization, survival mode is really about women who are in a constant state of being unfulfilled. I started therapy some weeks ago, because I wanted to make sure that I was tackling my survival mode, with the correct tools and strategies in place, for when obstacles occurred. To my surprise, I had another revelation.

Survival mode is a state of being that stems from childhood, and causes us to constantly search for fulfillment. I acknowledge that I was searching for more, but in all the wrong places. I was almost willing to sacrifice my joy, to engage in what wasn't on my heart. I realized sooner than later, that I was allowing all the expectations of others family and friends alike to influence my life decisions.

Let me tell you, I was always the oddball who never understood why everyone worked multiple jobs if they didn't have to of course. Securing the bag and chasing the paper never appealed to me. No doubt I want money just like the next person, but I always felt like there was more to life than just work and play. That missing factor allowed me to get out of survival mode, and take a stab at actually thriving in this season. Once I was able to:

1. Identify the pain

2. Pull the trigger

3. Pursue purpose

4. Progress past fear still a BIG work in progress

5. Pivot which seems to be the current story of my life

Many of us hide behind survival mode, in order to live a life that we've been conditioned to believe is normal, as opposed to finding the courage to break free from what we know. I believe that in order to thrive in any season, you have to be willing to acknowledge the pain you're in, and deconstruct your norms.