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Am I doing okay in life?
We’ve all had that moment. You’re scrolling through Instagram, some influencer’s sun-kissed vacation photos assault your eyeballs, and suddenly, you’re questioning every life decision you’ve ever made. Am I doing well? Should I have a personal chef? Should I be a personal chef? Why does this person’s dog look like it’s thriving more than me?
Before you dive headfirst into an existential crisis, let’s clear the air. You’re probably doing way better than you think. Forget what society, your nagging inner voice, or your third cousin on Facebook says.
This isn’t about having a Tesla or mastering meditation on a mountaintop in Bali. There are signs, subtle and screaming, that you’re actually doing just fine—even if life feels like a chaotic mess right now.
So let’s stop measuring ourselves against the world’s glittering, highly curated highlight reel. Instead, let’s get into what it actually means to be doing well in life.
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The Quiet, Unseen Indicators of “Success”
Success isn’t loud. It doesn’t come with fireworks or perfectly-filtered Instagram posts. Success is the daily grind, the quiet perseverance, and—let’s be honest—the fact that you’re still managing to adult, despite all the ridiculousness that is life.
You may not feel like you’re living your best life 24/7, but that doesn’t mean you’re not. In fact, the signs that you’re doing well are often the least flashy. They don’t scream “I’m a millionaire!” but whisper “I’ve got my act together (sort of).” And that counts. Big time.
Now, let’s break it down.
13 Signs You are Doing Well in Life (And Maybe Better Than You Think)
What are the indicators of a good life so far? How can you know if you’re thriving, or at least treading water? Time to look past the noise and into the quiet truths of a life well-lived.
Here are 13 signs you are doing well in life.
1. You’re not the same person you were last year.
Ah, personal growth. The subtle art of realizing that your old self was, well… kind of a mess. If you look back and cringe at your choices, your reactions, or even your wardrobe from 12 months ago, congratulations. That’s progress! The fact that you can identify areas of improvement shows that you’ve evolved. Maybe you’re a little more patient, a little more self-aware, or—dare I say it—a little more compassionate.
Growth isn’t about big, dramatic transformations. It’s those little shifts in how you approach problems, how you manage stress, or how you no longer throw tantrums when your favorite restaurant is fully booked. If you’re learning, adapting, and becoming a better version of yourself (even by millimeters), you’re doing just fine.
2. You have people who genuinely care about you.
No, I’m not talking about your 500 LinkedIn connections or the people who like your vacation photos. I mean real connections—those who check in on you, who support you, who show up when it matters. If you’ve got even one person who has your back, whether it’s your mom, your best friend, or your overly dramatic cat, you’re winning at life.
Relationships are messy, complicated, and at times completely frustrating, but they’re also one of the biggest indicators of success. If you’ve got love in your life, you’re rich in ways that money can’t touch. (Cheesy, but true.)
3. You’ve overcome things that once felt impossible.
Remember that time you thought you’d never survive that breakup? Or when you were convinced you’d flunk out of school? Look at you now. If you’ve been through hard times—and spoiler alert, you have—and you’re still here, still kicking, still showing up, then that’s a sign you’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.
Resilience isn’t just about surviving; it’s about coming out the other side with your sanity (mostly) intact. Life throws curveballs, and the fact that you’re still swinging, even after taking a few hits, means you’re doing pretty damn well.
4. You care about your mental health (even if it’s a dumpster fire sometimes).
Let’s be real, who hasn’t dealt with anxiety, stress, or feeling like their brain is playing some twisted version of “Survivor”? The point is, if you’re actively trying to take care of your mental health—whether that means therapy, mindfulness, or just stepping away from toxic situations—you’re miles ahead of the game.
You don’t have to be in a perfect mental space to be “doing well.” In fact, recognizing when you’re not okay and doing something about it, even if it’s just saying, “Today is a rough one, and that’s okay,” is a major sign that you’re on the right path. Life is messy, but if you’re dealing with your inner chaos, you’re definitely thriving in your own, slightly frazzled way.
5. You’ve learned to say “no” (and you mean it).
This one is huge. If you’ve reached the point in life where you can say “no” without feeling like you need to apologize or over-explain, give yourself a standing ovation. Setting boundaries is a skill, and it takes time to master. Whether it’s saying no to toxic relationships, soul-sucking jobs, or even that third Zoom meeting you definitely didn’t need, learning to protect your energy is a sign that you’re doing well.
No is a full sentence. If you’ve embraced that, you’ve got this adulting thing down better than most.
6. You’re still curious.
The world is full of people who’ve given up on learning, growing, or questioning the status quo. If you’re still asking questions, seeking out new experiences, or even Googling random facts about black holes at 3 a.m., it’s a good sign you haven’t settled into complacency. Curiosity is a hallmark of a life that’s still in motion.
Sure, you might not have everything figured out (who does?), but if you’re still engaged, taking risks when you should, and still asking “what if?”—then you’re far from stagnation.
7. You’ve made peace with your past (mostly).
Okay, let’s be honest. No one fully “moves on” from their past. If you’ve ever gotten embarrassed thinking about something cringey you did in 2011, then you know what I mean. But if you can look back at your mistakes, failed relationships, and questionable life choices without spiraling into a full-on shame spiral, then you’re doing well.
Making peace with your past doesn’t mean pretending like it didn’t happen. It means you can look at it and say, “Yeah, that sucked, but I learned something.” Growth is messy, and healing isn’t linear, but if you’ve started to forgive yourself for not being perfect, you’re ahead of the game.
8. You can laugh at yourself.
There’s nothing more freeing than realizing that you’re kind of ridiculous. If you’ve reached the point where you are confident enough that you can laugh at your quirks, bad habits, and less-than-glamorous moments, you’re doing way better than most. We take ourselves way too seriously sometimes, but life is absurd—so embracing that absurdity is a sign of emotional intelligence.
If you can trip in public and laugh instead of pretending like you meant to do it, or if you can own up to your embarrassing karaoke performance from last night, you’ve mastered the fine art of not giving a damn about judgment. That, my friend, is thriving.
9. You can ask for help.
There’s this weird myth that “having it all together” means doing everything yourself. Newsflash: that’s nonsense. If you’ve learned that asking for help doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human, then give yourself a round of applause. It’s one of the most underrated signs that you’re doing well in life.
Whether it’s calling a friend to vent, reaching out to a mentor, or even saying, “Hey, I’m overwhelmed and need a break,” asking for help shows self-awareness and strength. You weren’t meant to do it all alone, and the fact that you realize this shows major growth.
10. You appreciate the little things.
If you’ve found joy in the small moments—like a perfect cup of coffee, a quiet morning, or that rare instance where all the traffic lights are green—you’re doing better than you think. We live in a culture obsessed with “more” and “bigger,” but true happiness is found in the everyday, often unnoticed things.
The fact that you can take a deep breath, step outside, and appreciate a sunset or savor a chocolate bar without needing it to be some grand, Instagram-worthy moment? That’s a skill. And it’s a huge sign that you’re living a rich, fulfilling life, even if it’s not plastered all over social media.
11. You’re okay with not being okay all the time.
Listen, life isn’t sunshine and rainbows 24/7. If you’ve embraced the fact that it’s okay to not be okay sometimes, you’ve unlocked one of the most crucial secrets of life. It’s called balance. Being emotionally stable doesn’t mean being happy all the time; it means riding out the storms without pretending they don’t exist.
If you can sit with your feelings—even the uncomfortable ones—without trying to shove them down or numb them out, you’re doing way better than most. This doesn’t mean being unbreakable; it’s being resilient and independently strong, and understanding that it’s okay to feel whatever you’re feeling in the moment.
12. You have goals, but you’re flexible about them.
Having goals is great. Having a death grip on those goals, to the point where you refuse to adapt or pivot, is not. If you’ve learned to be flexible—if you let go of Plan A when life throws you into Plan C or D—you’re thriving.
We all have dreams, but life is unpredictable. If you’ve accepted that sometimes the path to those dreams looks more like a tangled mess of detours and you can handle risks, you’re doing well. Being adaptable is one of the most critical survival skills in life, and if you’ve managed to roll with the punches, congrats. You’re winning, even if it feels chaotic sometimes.
13. You’re still standing.
I know, this one sounds cheesy, but it’s true. If you’ve been through some stuff—and we all have—and you’re still here, still showing up every day, still trying, that’s a massive win. Life can be brutal, and just existing in this crazy world is a feat in itself.
Sometimes, the greatest sign you’re doing well in life is simply that you’re still standing. It doesn’t mean you’ve got it all figured out, but you haven’t given up. And that’s worth celebrating.
Conclusion: You’re Probably Doing Better Than You Think
If you see yourself in even a few of these signs, you’re likely doing better than you give yourself credit for. Life isn’t about checking off society’s arbitrary boxes of success—it’s traversing the highs and lows, finding moments of joy, and constantly evolving.
You don’t need a perfect Instagram feed, a six-figure job, or a flawlessly zen mindset to be thriving. The fact that you’re reading this article, thinking critically about your life, and striving for growth? That’s a sign you’re on the right track.
Life is messy, but if you’re showing up, learning, and laughing along the way, you’re doing just fine.
Now, speaking of growth—if you’re looking to sharpen your skills, learn something new, or just dive into a passion project, Skillshare is the place to be. With thousands of classes on everything from creative writing to graphic design, it’s like having a whole university at your fingertips—minus the student loans. Get inspired, learn at your own pace, and who knows? You might just unlock a hidden talent.
Recommended Reads for Thriving
Want to keep the momentum going? Check out our recommended books that will not only help you thrive but challenge the way you see the world. From self-improvement classics to mind-bending philosophy, these reads will leave you feeling more equipped to handle whatever life throws at you.
Link to our recommended books
FAQs
1. How do I know if I’m really doing well in life?
If you’ve been able to achieve personal growth, build meaningful relationships, and maintain your well-being, then you’re likely doing great. Success isn’t about hitting some grand milestone—it’s often in the daily, unseen progress and your ability to handle life’s ups and downs.
2. What if I don’t feel successful or fulfilled?
It’s natural to feel stuck sometimes. In 2024, especially, with all the external pressures, it’s easy to overlook the small victories. Try shifting your focus toward what you’ve overcome, the moments you’re thankful for, and the things you’ve accomplished—even if they don’t seem big at the time.
3. Why don’t material success or big achievements mean I’m doing well?
Because doing well is about more than wealth or status. Your well-being matters more. Having clean water to drink, a roof over your head, and people who care about you can mean you’re living a successful life, even if you haven’t hit every goal on your checklist.
4. What are some lesser-known signs of doing well in life?
Being able to laugh at yourself, ask for help, and be thankful for the small things are key indicators of success that we often overlook. Appreciating life’s little joys and maintaining curiosity, especially in tough times, shows that you’re more resilient than you think.
5. How can I start feeling better about where I am in life?
Start by being thankful for what you have, no matter how small. Reflect on your journey and the growth you’ve experienced. Sometimes, recognizing the clean water you drink or the safety of your home can be enough to remind you that you’re doing well. Celebrate progress, however it comes.
6. What’s the biggest myth about “doing well” in life?
The belief that you need to have it all figured out to be successful. In reality, no one does, especially not in 2024. Life is messy, and success is often about resilience, learning, and just keeping afloat. If you’re evolving and pushing forward, you’re doing better than you think.
7. How do I balance setting goals while appreciating where I am in life?
It’s all about adaptability. Set goals, but don’t lose sight of the present. Sometimes, what you achieve won’t look like what you imagined, but being able to pivot and still find joy or peace in your day-to-day life is key.
