#372

Survival mode is supposed to be a phase that helps save your life.

It is not meant to be how you live.

Michele Rosenthal

Another name for survival mode is stress. When a person lives forever poised either to attack or be attacked, they  become completely self-absorbed. Everything is about them and how they will overcome everything anyone might say or do to them. They are hyper-vigilant and always preparing for any situation, real or imaginary, that appears threatening to them. This usually causes them to react negatively and often combatively.

If you are living your life in survival mode, you are not living, you are only existing. By blocking off emotions such as fear, anger, resentment etc. you are likewise cutting off love, joy and peace. 

By not expressing or blocking your feelings, you are not portraying yourself honestly  to the people around you, or perhaps even to yourself.  You are hiding your true self behind a mask. Although this is your protection, it could potentially be destructive to your relationships.

The feelings that you have buried deep inside you, are probably what is holding you back from the life you want to live. Don't worry about everyone else and what they are doing. Don't stay locked up in all the could haves and should haves, release the past it's over, stay out of the future, it hasn't arrived yet. Start living in the here and now. Get out of your head, take a hike, jump in the lake, do something to have some fun. 

Survival mode is a blessing when there is danger to be confronted. Danger can be real. Fear is a choice, and anticipating it is mostly a waste of time. Most things you are afraid of or worrying about won't ever happen, and you don't need the added stress. 

Enjoy your life. Stop being afraid of what could go wrong, and focus on what could go right.