Settling

Day 20

"There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." Nelson Mandela

The idea of "settling" has always been an uncomfortable one from me. Often thought about in terms of relationsships, but also, career, life goals, lifestyle, health, home and more. As I shift to focusing more on an abundant lifestyle, the idea of settling has crossed my mind. It has made me wonder, where I've settled in my life, or in other words, did not think I was worthy of more?

Measuring the concept of “settling“ is really an individual process. Settling does not mean that someone has low standards because they chose a career that does not make them a millionaire, but it is more so about ignoring your talents or your purpose. If you are talented and qualified, why not go for that promotion? Where do we hold ourselves back because we walked with intimidation and not confidence? To me, that is the core of settling.

It does also surface in relationships. If we choose people who help us avoid conflict or never ruffle feathers, that could be settling because they do not challenge us to expand and grow. If we knowingly choose to invest our time with people who do not share our values, that is a form of settling. Desiring to level up does not mean there won‘t be bumps in the road, but complacency or holding yourself back also does not alleviate those bumps either. Those internal bumps are way more impactful then those from the outside.

Living an abundant life means that you are open to expansion and if there are moments of retraction, we have to look at why. How many of our experiences of loss or not achieving what we desire have been due to our own limitations? Many of us desire so much that we do not deem ourselves to be worthy of.

So I choose to look at this more and tackle my mentality or “settling.” Where have i held myself back or continue to? If there is something I desire and do not feel prepared for, how can I prepare myself? Living a life of endless possibilities means exploring all opportuniteis and listening to your truth - even when the truth may feel a bit uncomfortable.

“Ten years from now, make sure you can say that you CHOSE your life, you didn’t SETTLE for it.” Mandy Hale