Thriving
Building a Future You Can Believe In
When I first survived my suicidal crisis, the idea of “thriving” felt impossible — almost insulting. I couldn’t imagine joy, growth, or a future worth planning. At that time, surviving a single day was all I could manage. But as safety, stability, and connection grew, and as I began to rediscover meaning in small ways, something inside me shifted. I started to wonder if life could be more than just getting through.
Thriving doesn’t mean perfection. It doesn’t mean that dark days never return or that old wounds magically disappear. For me, thriving began quietly — in laughter that didn’t feel forced, in mornings when I woke up curious about the day ahead, in the relief of realizing I no longer counted surviving as my only success. It felt like learning how to breathe again, deeply and freely.
Thriving is about giving yourself permission to imagine. For a long time, I didn’t dream, because dreaming hurt too much. But little by little, I let myself consider possibilities: What if I tried a new hobby? What if I applied for that class? What if I visited a place I’d always wanted to see? These weren’t just plans — they were symbols of hope, proof that my life could expand beyond the storm.
It’s also about celebrating growth. The first time I made it through a tough week without sinking into despair, I honored it. When I shared my story with someone and felt lighter instead of ashamed, I counted it as victory. Thriving meant recognizing that progress wasn’t only about survival — it was about building joy, connection, and purpose into my life, one step at a time.
Most importantly, thriving is about trust. Trusting myself to handle challenges if they come again. Trusting the people who walk beside me. Trusting that the future, though uncertain, can hold good things as well as hard ones. That trust took time, but it came from every small action I took to rebuild my life after the storm.
If you’re here — if you’ve walked through the stages of safety, stability, connection, and meaning — know that thriving is not a distant dream reserved for others. It is possible for you too. Thriving doesn’t look the same for everyone. For some, it’s raising children or traveling the world. For others, it’s finding peace in quiet mornings, meaningful friendships, or creative expression. Whatever it looks like for you, it’s valid, it’s enough, and it’s yours.
The storm you survived will always be part of your story. But it is not the whole story. The chapters ahead are waiting to be written — chapters filled with growth, courage, and moments you haven’t yet imagined. You are not just someone who survived. You are someone who can rise, heal, and thrive.
