Here’s How You Know You’re Doing Okay, Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It
In a world where we are constantly informed about what other people are doing or accomplishing on a daily basis, it's easy to feel like we're not doing enough or to feel unsure about our own path.
Even if everyone else seems to know what they're doing, you have to remember that at some point in their lives, everyone is going to feel a little lost. And in the grand scheme of things, you're definitely doing better than you realize. If you're managing to do any of these things or feel any of these things right now, you're doing better than you may have realized.
You're Learning Something New Every Day
Especially after you graduate from high school or college, it's common to feel a little lost. You've spent a huge portion of your life in school up until this point, and now that you've finished, it can be difficult to figure out what you're supposed to be doing.
If you're taking the time to still learn something new daily, it can help you fill that void. Whether you're reading every day or listening to a podcast that interests you, or even watching Hank Green's educational TikToks about why you shouldn't eat glass, it all counts as education. Make a conscious effort to continue that practice throughout your life.
You're Reaching Your Goals, No Matter How Small They Are
Thanks to the highlight reel that is social media, it's very easy to get wrapped up in what your friends are accomplishing, and you could start to feel like you're not doing enough.
You have to remember that any achievement is still something to be excited about and to take pride in, even if it's a "small" one. Your goals are never going to perfectly align with what other people are doing, and it's not fair to yourself to judge your accomplishments against someone else's.
You set the goals that were right for you, you worked towards them, and once you get there, you've earned the right to celebrate!
You Aren't Letting Fear Rule Your Life
Even if you have no idea what you're doing in the present moment, or you feel like you're missing out on something, you're not letting that fear completely take over your life.
You understand that it's okay to be nervous, it's okay to second-guess some of your decisions or spend a few late nights worrying about whether or not you're doing the right thing, so long as you move forward from that.
Give the fear (regardless of where it stems from) its time to shine, then leave it behind and keep doing whatever you're doing.
You're Surrounded By People Who Support You
Being able to say that you have a circle of friends or family in your life who love you and support you in your decisions is not something that everyone is able to say.
So many of us waste our time and energy catering to people who don't reciprocate that effort, only to be left feeling unfulfilled by the major relationships we have in our lives.
You've surrounded yourself with people who are like-minded, who care about your feelings and your successes as much as you care about theirs.
You're Focused On The Future
Instead of spending your time dwelling on all the supposed mistakes you've made in the past or the moments you wish you'd done differently, you're choosing to focus on the future.
You might not know what the future actually holds for you just yet (unless you've recently visited a fortune teller), but you're still thinking about it. Embrace the feelings of excitement and promise, and run with it.
You Don't Allow Obstacles To Stop You...For Very Long
It's okay that there are obstacles in your life; it's all about how you deal with them. Sure, life may have thrown a lot of challenges your way recently, but you figured out a solution for every one of them.
Obstacles are just a bump in the road.
Look back on the last year and consider how many obstacles seemed astronomical in the moment, but in hindsight, they seem like small blips. You can't live a life completely free of obstacles—that wouldn't be much of a life. It's about how you deal with those obstacles in the moment, though. If you're able to accept the challenge and overcome it, you're better for it.
You Can Confidently Say You're Not Settling
You can be grateful for the opportunities you've been given and the things you've been afforded without having to settle for anything.
There's a big difference between choosing to stay in a position where you're unhappy (for whatever reason) and actively making moves to change things.
There are some things you can't change or that are going to affect you no matter what decision you make; some things are just unavoidable. You're instead choosing to focus on what you have the ability to control, and you know that you're not settling for anything less than what you deserve.