What Makes Life Feel Full For Me
Happiness, meaning, and fulfilment - three words we all chase in one way or another. Yet the paths we take to find them differs wildly. Some look for answers in careers, others in relationships, some in solitude and others in spirituality. For me, the road to a life that truly feels full is paved with three deeply personal pillars: authenticity, connection and growth.
1. Authenticity: Living in my truth
I've come to learn that no amount of success or approval can replace the peace of living in alignment with who I truly am. For sometime, shaped parts of myself to fit into spaces that didn't reflect my heart- whether it was a part chosen for me or silencing my voice to avoid conflict.
But living authentically, even when it's uncomfortable, has brought me a quiet kind of joy. It's not always about big declarations or life-altering choices. Sometimes it's as simple as saying "This is what I believe" or creating something raw and honest. Or refusing to shrink myself just to make others comfortable. Authenticity means giving myself permisson to show up whole - even when I'm unsure, even when I'm scared.
The truth is, it's exhausting trying to live a life that isn't yours. There's a freedom that comes with choosing yourself
2. Connection: Finding my people
No one thrives in isolation. Meaning and happiness are magnified when shared. For me, connection means more than just having people around - it means feeling seen, understood and accepted for who I am, not who I pretend to be.
It's in the little things, a friend's laughter echoing through a quiet room, the comfort of a message sent at the right tiime, the beauty of unspoken understanding. Whether it's physical presence or digital bond that spans miles, connection grounds me.
Even friendship that exists only through words and shared space online - yes, that count too. Some of the people I know live in comment sections and private chat, yet their presence is just as real. In a world that often feels loud and chaotic, true connection is a gentle anchor.
Growth: Becoming, always becoming
I never want to feel like I've "arrived". Growth -both emotional and intellectual- is what keeps life meaningful. It's the books that challenge me, the mistakes that humble me, the uncomfortable truth that nudge me toward change. Its learning to be patient with myself, forgiving when I stumble and daring enough to keep trying.
Sometimes growth is dramatic, like walking away from something that no longer serves me. Other times it's quiet, like the decision to rest instead of overworking, or to listen instead of defend. Growth doesn't always look graceful, but it always leaves me stronger.
And maybe that's what fulfilment really is: knowing I'm evolving . That I'm not the same person I was last year or even last week, and being proud of that.
In the end, a fulfilled life isn't one where everything goes perfectly. It's one where I can say: I lived honestly. I loved deeply. And I kept becoming.
Image is mine
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Perfectly said. I'll have to choose another topic now as that speaks right from my heart 🤣
A year ago, during my recovery from a Burn-Out, I realized that I had reached many of my goals. At first, that was great, kind of a validation of my exaggerated efforts. But then, an emptiness followed. The "What now?" was very strong and kind of devastating. I filled it first with reading, and later I learned that my daughter would live with me - no time for short-term goals now, the next one is to release her to be a happy woman in 12 years.
That "what now?" after reaching your goals - yeah, I felt that line deep. It's wild how emptiness can follow achievement, right?
But the way you shifted into being there for your daughter.... that's not just growth, it's purpose. 12 years of guilding her towards joy and strength? That's a beautiful mission.
Also, oops 😂 didn't mean to steal your topic - seems we've just been thinking along similar lines.
Don't worry! It's good that you wrote it for me, it would've been too easy for me as I have that very clear - now I have to take one of the others, step a little out of my comfort zone. I'm pretty sure that's what Galenkp intended anyway :-D
Haha fair enough 🤣. Sounds like I accidentally did you a favour then. Can't wait to see what you come up with - stepping out of your comfort zone always brings out something special.