It’s Okay to be Okay

A while back, I wrote a post titled ‘It’s Okay to Not be Okay’. Like many times at that point in my life, I was writing to myself, saying something I needed to hear. I’d been in a funk and found it quite mature, and even profound, that I was able to realize it in the moment. Before then, my feelings felt like they happened to me. In a tornado of emotions, I’d come to dazed and drained, only to reflect on what had happened. I wrote to that person.

And in a way, I still do. Often. Because I so badly needed to know it was okay. To feel lost, and ambitious without resources. I needed to know there were ways to travel for next to nothing. I needed to learn about the importance of morning routines. You can read my old blog archives if you’re interested in any of that. I warn you, they’re not edited.

My point is, there is so much attention given to improvement and recovery. It makes me think of applying for college scholarships. Feeling as though my lack of hardship was working against me, I asked, “Are there any scholarships for people who’ve had a relatively good childhood?”

Social media will convince you that you are a constant work in progress. And maybe you want to be, and that’s cool. There’s a lot of information around hustling harder, grinding to improve your situation, and striving to be a better version of you.

But, you know, it’s okay to be okay. You don’t need a constant struggle or accomplishment you’re working towards. It’s okay to like your job and not desire another, or more money. It’s okay to love your life, even if it doesn’t seem to compare to Instagram lives. 

I don’t think people say that enough. Being content gets such a bad rap. Why would we ever decide that a state of peaceful happiness was a bad thing? And yet, you will often hear, “Don’t get content.” As if we all don’t have the power to decide what is enough for us.

I know I am often writing to my younger self, telling her it’s okay (with the hopes that I reach the people currently in that position). And I also tend to push myself to improve, or save more, or plan for the future.

But, I’m okay with where I am in my life. I am happy. I have enough. In fact, I have more than I need. I enjoy my life. And I am completely aware that it is not for everyone. I don’t make an effort to pretend on social media, but there are details that don’t make it. I’ve never been able to capture footage of a gecko running across my living room ceiling, but it happens a lot. And that alone would be enough for people to run in the opposite direction. I don’t imagine 45-year old Amirah will love my current lifestyle as much as 35-year old me does. So, I’m striving for her.

My life is not perfect. But I’m happy with it. I’m proud to be content. 

Don’t let social media, or me, convince you that what you have or what you do is not enough. You get to decide. And it is okay to be okay with who you are, where you are, and what you do.

You don’t have to change. And also, desiring to change does not contradict those things. You can be happy with where you are and also strive for more. 

It is okay to be okay.

XOXO