We talk a lot about growth, success, and becoming the best version of ourselves. But somewhere in that pursuit, we forget the version of us that barely made it through. The one who held it together when everything was falling apart. The one who got out of bed when it felt impossible. The one who smiled in public but cried alone. That version of you—yes, the one who barely survived—is just as worthy as the one who will thrive.
Because survival isn’t weakness. It’s proof. Proof that you showed up for your own life, even when it hurt. Proof that your heart didn’t give up, even when your mind wanted to. The world often celebrates thriving—new beginnings, success stories, transformation arcs—but thriving doesn’t happen in isolation. It grows out of survival. Every thriving version of you stands on the shoulders of the one who refused to quit.
Maybe you’re not thriving right now. Maybe you’re just holding on. That’s okay. You don’t have to constantly be evolving or glowing or achieving to be valuable. You are enough, even in the stillness. You are enough, even when all you can do is survive the day. The version of you that’s tired, uncertain, and messy deserves the same love and respect as the one that’s confident and accomplished.
And when you finally do thrive—and you will—don’t forget to thank the one who crawled so you could run. The one who stayed when everything screamed “leave.” The one who didn’t have it all figured out but kept going anyway. That version of you deserves a standing ovation.
Because thriving is beautiful. But surviving? That’s sacred.
Kenrick Vaz 