The Pressure to ‘Make It’: Redefining Success on Your Own Terms
Scrolling through endless highlight reels on any social media can often make it seem like everyone else has figured out “making it” – except you. Whether it’s the corner office, the exotic vacation photos, or the flawless relationships plastered across your social media feed, it’s easy to feel perpetually behind. The pressure to achieve a predefined version of success by a certain age has become a silent epidemic, fueling anxiety, self-comparison, and burnout among all – especially millennials and Gen Zs.
We grew up hearing, “you can be anything!” – inspiring words that also set us up to feel like we have to be everything: the high-powered career individual, the global traveler, the ideal partner, all at once. Social media amplifies everyone else’s “achievements”, making our own perfectly normal progress feel inadequate. This constant comparison isn’t just a fleeting thought; it chips away at our self-perception, leading us to doubt our choices, timeline, and inherent worth. This can quietly nurture anxiety, imposter syndrome, and even deeper feelings of sadness.
But what is success, really?
It’s time to redefine success by our own standards. For some, success might be universal milestones like a six-figure salary, a successful startup, or marriage by a certain age. For others, it might be quieter victories and personal shifts, such as:
Finding the strength to say “no” without guilt
Taking the brave step to start therapy and actively choosing to heal
Pursuing a passion project wholeheartedly
Creating boundaries and leaving draining relationships or environments
Waking up with genuine excitement for the day
You get to decide what success looks and feels like for you. It’s your story to write, your path to walk.
Finding Your North Star: Three Questions to Reflect On
1. What truly brings me peace, joy, and meaning when no one else is around to see it? : Strip away external expectations and connect with what resonates within you.
2. Am I building a life that genuinely feels good, or one that just looks good to others?: Choose authenticity over aesthetics. What truly nourishes your soul?
3. If I wasn’t worried about anyone else’s opinion, what would I be doing differently?: The answer might be your compass pointing towards your truest self.
A Gentle Reminder from Me to You
As someone walking this journey with you, my goal isn’t to push you to climb some imaginary ladder faster. It’s to help you find your own rhythm, to hear your inner voice amidst all the noise. You are not falling behind. You are not “late”. You are simply unfolding, waking up to the beautiful truth that life isn’t a race with a finish line; it’s a unique and personal journey. The most empowering part? You get to choose every step of the way.
If you’re ready to redefine success on your terms and create a life that feels good on the inside, not just looks good on the outside – let’s talk. Book a clarity chat with me today at [email protected] and take your first step toward alignment.
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