If Success Feels Heavy, You’re Defining It Wrong.
Success isn’t a universal checklist—it’s a personal definition that evolves as we do.
“Success became less about applause and more about alignment.”
For the longest time, I thought success had a very specific look—busy calendar, impressive title, constant hustle, and a life that looked good from the outside. But somewhere along the way, I realized I was chasing a version of success that wasn’t even mine. It was loud, exhausting, and oddly empty. So I stopped and asked myself a simple but powerful question: What does success actually mean to me right now? Not five years from now. Not what social media applauds. Not what I was told to want. Just… today. And the answer surprised me. Success became less about applause and more about alignment. Less about proving and more about peace.
Defining success for yourself takes courage because it requires honesty. It means asking questions that don’t have flashy answers, like What part of my life feels the most fulfilling right now? or What am I proud of that no one else sees? When I started reflecting this way, I realized success could be feeling present at dinner, choosing rest without guilt, or making progress that only I notice. These are the kinds of questions that feel safe to share, too—the kind that invite conversation instead of comparison. When we ask them out loud, we give others permission to redefine their own finish line without shame or explanation.
Here’s what I know now: success isn’t a universal checklist—it’s a personal definition that evolves as we do. And when we stop borrowing someone else’s measuring stick, we finally get to breathe. So if you’re scrolling and questioning whether you’re “doing enough,” pause and ask yourself something gentler: What does a good life look like to me this season? That question alone can change how you show up tomorrow. Because the moment you define success on your terms, you stop chasing—and start living.
Russell B
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