Stop Surviving and Start Thriving! 7 Easy Ways to Change Your Life For the Better

Are you stressed the f*ck out? Me too. Do you feel overwhelmed, overworked, and over it? We’ve all been there. Are you living a f*ck yes life? I am. And I want you to live it too. How, you ask, do you live a f*ck yes life amidst all the stress and pressure?

Actually, it’s 100% within reach. There will always be stress, there will always be challenges that make you feel overwhelmed and times that you feel overworked and just plain over it.

That’s ok! And that’s also the first step – acknowledging and accepting that these things are inevitable . . . but also controllable.

You can’t always control the situation, but you can ALWAYS control the way you choose to respond to it (note that I did not say ‘react’ – BIG difference).
 

How I Shifted From Surviving to Thriving – And How You Can Too

I spent many years in my twenties telling myself, “If I can just get through ABC, if I can just accomplish XYZ, then I’ll be in the clear! Then I won’t be busy or have stress anymore.” I convinced myself that just around the corner was full and forever freedom from stress and worry.
 
WOW was that a twisted, misconstrued, and ultimately self-sabotaging attitude! I ran myself into the ground with that mindset, and never really allowed myself to simply enjoy the moment and get fully present because I was always looking ahead, waiting for that moment when my life would magically slow down – then (and only then) I’d be able to relax.
 
Stop kidding yourself. There will always be stress and challenges and being busy. So once you’ve done your due diligence in accepting that all these things are inevitable, then you’ve already accomplished the hardest step!
 
Now you’re ready for smooth sailing – and that means you’re ready to adopt these easy ways to continue THRIVING and no longer just surviving in your life.
 

Here Are 7 Easy Ways to Change Your Life For the Better and THRIVE:

1. Exercise Your NO Muscle

One of the quickest and direct routes to burnout is not setting clear boundaries for yourself. Say NO to the things that drain your energy, that don’t uplift and better you, that don’t serve you. Don’t feel guilty, and don’t even feel obligated to explain yourself.
 
If it’s not serving your best interest, exercise that no muscle. Speaking your truth is just like physical exercise – the more you practice, the stronger that voice will get.
 
Motivational speaker and self-help author Iyanla VanZant teaches how to set healthy boundaries and exercise your no muscle in this video
 
 

2. Quit Your Bitchin

What we focus on multiplies. It’s easy to get stuck on negative thoughts, or fixate on what’s wrong in our lives. But as Eckhart Tolle says, “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.”
 
Don’t make negativity a habit. Make gratitude a habit. We thrive when we can remain grounded, present, and grateful.
 
 

3. Treat Yo’ Damn Self

You deserve self-care! Get a foot massage, take a nice bath, go on a nature walk, take a nap, take a “health” day instead of a sick day. Do things on a regular basis that fill you up and make your soul sing.
 
When you treat yourself, you remind yourself that you’re worthy of self-care, that you recharge and reset with self-care, and that you thrive on self-care. Self-care needs to be a top priority to make the switch from surviving to thriving.
 

4. Wake Up On a High Note

The way you start your day is so so important. And those first few moments of being awake truly set the tone for your day. I’ve never understood why most alarm clocks are so jolting. Use an upbeat ambient sound so you wake up on a positive note – literally.
 
Incorporate a few simple morning routines – whether that’s meditation, yoga, journaling, or taking a quick walk – that set you up for a positive, intentional, and empowered day.
 
Looking for a great way to start your day with yoga? Practice This Morning Yoga Routine For Energy and Focus
 
 

5. Do One Good Deed a Day

Doing good for someone else makes you feel good! So pay it forward – buy coffee for the person behind you in line. Offer a genuine compliment. Smile at a stranger. These simple acts of kindness radiate outward and create a ripple effect.
 
Helping others helps us too – selfless acts make us less concerned about our own issues and also puts things into perspective so we can find a deeper sense of gratitude, fulfillment, and contentment.
 
 

6. Look Your Fears In the Face

We all have fears. That’s ok, but it gets messy when we think, act or live from a place of fear. Do not let your fear rule you. How do you step out of this fear-based prison? You face what scares you, and you do it anyway.
 
Do something every day that scares you – it’ll make you grow light years and you’ll find a whole new level of confidence you never thought possible!
 
 

7. Drink More Water

Hydration is key! If you’re not hydrated, you will be low on energy, moody, more prone to headaches, susceptible to illness, and lack mental clarity and focus – all things that throw you into survival mode.
 
As a general rule, we should drink half our body weight in ounces of water every day. So, if you weigh 120-pounds, you should drink 60 ounces of water per day. Staying hydrated makes a monumental difference in your day-to-day life and health overall.
 
 

Change Your Life and Start Thriving!

There are a million more ways to help you change your life for the better, but the point is to start small. Set yourself up for success and take baby steps so it feels approachable and doable.
 
You don’t need to change every single thing in your life. Simply assess what’s draining and dragging you down, and find ways to replace those negative habits, thought patterns, relationships, etc with positive habits and actions like what we discussed here.
 
Stop surviving and start thriving!! You deserve it, and you can do it.
 

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