From Surviving to Thriving: The Small Shifts That Change Everything
Back in early September, I wrote about the difference between surviving and healing — how easy it is to stay stuck in sophisticated survival mode even when you’re “doing the work.”
That post struck a chord with so many women who recognized themselves in the patterns I described — managing symptoms, holding it all together, functioning beautifully on the outside while feeling empty on the inside.
So this week, I want to take that conversation a step further. What happens after you’ve started healing? What does it look like when you begin to move from surviving to truly thriving?
Thriving isn’t about endless positivity or some picture-perfect version of recovery. It’s about small, honest shifts — from control to curiosity, numbness to noticing, isolation to connection. It’s about choosing to live your life, not just manage it.
And for me, that shift didn’t happen all at once — it started quietly, little by little.
There was a time when “surviving” felt like success.
Getting through the day without falling apart.
Showing up, holding it together, smiling when I didn’t feel like it.
For a long time, survival was my superpower — until I realized it was also my cage.
Thriving, I’ve learned, doesn’t happen overnight. It’s not about burning sage or manifesting harder. It’s about the small, intentional shifts that remind you you’re still here — and that you get to want more than “fine.”
The Shift from Surviving to Thriving
When you’re in survival mode, you’re running on adrenaline and habit. You get things done, but joy feels out of reach. You’re managing, not living.
Thriving starts with awareness — that moment when you realize, “I’m not broken, I’m just stuck.” It’s the decision to trade self-criticism for curiosity, and perfection for presence.
Here are three small shifts that change everything:
From Control to Curiosity.
Survival says, “If I can just control this, I’ll feel safe.”
Thriving whispers, “What if I just noticed what’s here instead?”From Numb to Notice.
When you’re surviving, you shut down. Thriving asks you to tune in — to your body, your breath, your truth.From Alone to Connected.
Survival isolates; thriving invites connection. Sometimes that looks like reaching out for help before you’re “ready,” and letting yourself be seen.
Where BRAVE Comes In
In the BRAVE Recovery Method™, thriving begins with Belief, the belief that something more is possible.
It grows with Resilience that doesn’t mean pushing through, but bouncing back with grace.
It expands through Authenticity, Voice, and Empowerment.
Because thriving isn’t about never falling — it’s about remembering you know how to get back up.
If you missed “5 Signs You’re Not Actually Healing — Just Surviving,” you can read it here. It’s the perfect companion to this one — an honest look at what keeps so many of us stuck in survival mode before we finally start shifting toward something more.
Because you deserve more than survival. You deserve to thrive.
A Gentle Nudge
If life has been happening to you lately, maybe it’s time to shift toward life happening for you.
You don’t have to overhaul everything — just start with one small change that helps you breathe again.
Book your free BRAVE Breakthrough Consult. It’s free, and it might just be the first small step toward thriving.
