when ‘good enough’ is no longer enough

I’m just a girl doing her best to recognize patterns.

Self-love is learning the lesson the first time, and extending yourself grace when it takes a little longer for the wisdom to stick.

a moment of stillness in Madrid (Cerro del Tio Pio Park)

I’ve always prioritized “leveling up” in some capacity — mentally, physically, financially — every year. The gratitude I have for what I’ve learned and earned is present, but something is still missing. I’m always striving, always improving, but never quite reaching the peak of fulfillment.

So, I’m digging deeper. Where am I feeling aligned, and where lies a disconnect? I’m conducting an audit on my time and energy to uncover the root of the discrepancy. And what started as a check-in has become a wake-up call.

The awareness and trust of self is healthy. My discernment of others has grown. I’m exploring new hobbies and expanding my creative expression. I make an effort to learn new things, and to care for my body inside and out.

Then there are the other aspects of my lifestyle: Does true meaning come from the work I give so much of my time to? Does my current living arrangement resonate with me? Could I see myself in this routine, in this place, living this life just as it is for however much time I have left? Is “good enough” actually enough?

I asked myself these questions, and every answer was no. So, it was time to make a decision.

This life I’m leading is like a healthy plant. Neither thriving nor hurting. Getting just the right amount of sunlight and water to stay alive. Existing.

But what if I discovered the best environment for this plant? Maybe indirect sunlight, humidity, music? What if I introduced new nourishment — fruit remains, spices, fertilizer rich in minerals? How vibrant it might become. How tall it might grow. It could even bloom.

All I need is a willingness to explore new methods, and the humility to accept that I don’t have all the answers. It’ll be trial and error. Some choices might not work out. But I have to face the fear of uncertainty to find out what’s on the other side.

Because I’m not here to just exist. I’m not here to lead a life that is simply “good enough.” My soul didn’t sign up for that kind of human experience. I’m here to live the life that is best for me. So, I’m extending that same grace I mentioned earlier for how long it’s taken me to reach this point, and taking a chance in discovering what that “best” life looks and feels like.

I don’t know where this shift will take me. I just know I can’t stay here.

No more forcing what doesn’t fit.
No more questioning my intuition.
No more adopting society’s standards of success and convincing myself they’re my own.

It’s time to declutter my space, my time, and my spirit in order to make room for what’s meant for me.

And this pursuit is a personal one. An internal shift toward purpose. It may not make sense to those on the outside looking in, but I’d rather feel foreign to others than foreign to myself.

So here I am slowly finding clarity on a path that only lights up as I walk it. Here I am setting aside what I have in order to pursue what I need. Here I am stepping into the belief that it is never too late to try something new. It is never too late to change your life.

And a journey like this can be both exciting and scary. You can be grateful for what you have and still honor your soul’s desire for more. You don’t have to stay where you are just because it’s “good enough.”

“Good enough” doesn’t have to be good enough for you.

You can break the pattern even if it took a long time to see it, because it is never too late to become who you are meant to be.

I don’t know all the details of what comes next, but I know the first step: reconnecting with work that resonates. That is creating with intention, moving from the center of who I am, and supporting other writers in bringing their stories to life.

Feel free to walk with me as the rest unfolds: I’m expanding my love of storytelling into the visual space over on YouTube. And if you’re a writer looking for support, check out my developmental editing and creative consulting services here.

This is just the beginning. And if you’re ready to break your own pattern, I’ll see you out there.

-A