Success to me is so hard to really define. I've struggled a lot with wanting to be successful I'm everything, be successful in everyone else's eyes. So, really, I always tried to live up to other's idea of success.
In more recent times, I've come to realise that chasing after that is not only impossible, but also won't bring any joy and it wouldn't live up to what I actually want for myself. I think I'm really trying now to find out what I want to do, what makes me happy.
In a way, I am trying to make success more about being my best self, loving myself, embracing myself, and doing the best I can at all I set out to do. Even if my best at something means I am objectively quite bad at it, having done my best, is in itself a success.
Beautifully said! I’m on that same journey myself. and like you said, sometimes chasing after these expectations is literally impossible, it’s taken me a long time to realise that
Success is always internal. Even if it’s reached through external validation, it’s only ever FELT, not possessed. It’s always deeper than skin, which is how the small things can all be keys to ‘success’ with the right mindset xx
Is success overrated? Only if you were never truly happy to begin with will success feel like a burden. That’s my hot take. Find happiness before finding success and it will not be over rated.
I really enjoyed this!! I think to me, success has always been based on what others are doing - I want to match or do better so that my loved ones will be proud of me. Only recently have I been thinking what I actually want for myself, and to be honest I don't know yet! I know I want a cosy home for me and my boyfriend and our dog, but beyond that is a mystery. I'm going to journal about inviting all of the past versions of myself to a picnic and seeing what they think :)
I’m aware my definition of success is naive, but I struggle to think of it in another way. Success is happiness and having the resources to create a stable happy life. Success is community and safety and creating and giving and everything in-between. I’m successful right now because I’m happy. I’m comfortable and stable enough to experience new and exciting things. I’m building myself a community and earning money to help my future self also be successful—to also be happy.
i don’t think it’s naive at all, if anything, i think it is a better perspective to have. success is community and all the things in between, you’re right!
I see success as earned, not given—rooted in resilience, sacrifice, and doing what others won’t. I respect achievement, but only when it’s built on real work and truth, not shortcuts or show.
To me, success is helping others. As long as I can use my art-- or anything else I have-- to help others feel, act, or just live better I consider myself successful.
In our current society, we've become so detached from our roles in our community and our roles as people that we forget what really matters-- others. Others and happiness should keep us going, not how much we benefit some CEO.
Success is so subjective—and not even just between people, but between the different phases of our own lives. In grade school, success was doing well in school and sports getting a big job in the future. Now, it’s financial security and contentedness. I’m sure my view of success will change even by the end of the year.
Success to me is so hard to really define. I've struggled a lot with wanting to be successful I'm everything, be successful in everyone else's eyes. So, really, I always tried to live up to other's idea of success.
In more recent times, I've come to realise that chasing after that is not only impossible, but also won't bring any joy and it wouldn't live up to what I actually want for myself. I think I'm really trying now to find out what I want to do, what makes me happy.
In a way, I am trying to make success more about being my best self, loving myself, embracing myself, and doing the best I can at all I set out to do. Even if my best at something means I am objectively quite bad at it, having done my best, is in itself a success.
Beautifully said! I’m on that same journey myself. and like you said, sometimes chasing after these expectations is literally impossible, it’s taken me a long time to realise that
Success is always internal. Even if it’s reached through external validation, it’s only ever FELT, not possessed. It’s always deeper than skin, which is how the small things can all be keys to ‘success’ with the right mindset xx
Love that and totally agree! Thank you so much for reading!
Thank you for writing it!! xx
Is success overrated? Only if you were never truly happy to begin with will success feel like a burden. That’s my hot take. Find happiness before finding success and it will not be over rated.
Agreed! Thank you for reading!
I really enjoyed this!! I think to me, success has always been based on what others are doing - I want to match or do better so that my loved ones will be proud of me. Only recently have I been thinking what I actually want for myself, and to be honest I don't know yet! I know I want a cosy home for me and my boyfriend and our dog, but beyond that is a mystery. I'm going to journal about inviting all of the past versions of myself to a picnic and seeing what they think :)
oh I love the fact you’re going to journal about this🥺 makes me so happy
i hope you get the cosy home with your bf and your little pup that you dream of hehehe 🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾
I love this
thank you🥺🫶🏾
I’m aware my definition of success is naive, but I struggle to think of it in another way. Success is happiness and having the resources to create a stable happy life. Success is community and safety and creating and giving and everything in-between. I’m successful right now because I’m happy. I’m comfortable and stable enough to experience new and exciting things. I’m building myself a community and earning money to help my future self also be successful—to also be happy.
i don’t think it’s naive at all, if anything, i think it is a better perspective to have. success is community and all the things in between, you’re right!
I see success as earned, not given—rooted in resilience, sacrifice, and doing what others won’t. I respect achievement, but only when it’s built on real work and truth, not shortcuts or show.
I love that! success should definitely be built on real, honest achievements
To me, success is helping others. As long as I can use my art-- or anything else I have-- to help others feel, act, or just live better I consider myself successful.
In our current society, we've become so detached from our roles in our community and our roles as people that we forget what really matters-- others. Others and happiness should keep us going, not how much we benefit some CEO.
Success is so subjective—and not even just between people, but between the different phases of our own lives. In grade school, success was doing well in school and sports getting a big job in the future. Now, it’s financial security and contentedness. I’m sure my view of success will change even by the end of the year.