Why we stay

I woke up this morning thinking about Why We Stay.

Why

when we're more miserable by the day -

when heart and soul are crying out for something else, something better -

we stick with what is just. not. working.

via GIPHY

From my own experience, here's why we stay:

For the health insurance.

For the kids.

For the steady paycheck, or the retirement money.

For the clients who need us.

The partner who needs us.

The team who needs us.

The co-workers who need us.

For the role we're filling, that They Need Us to fill.

Well.

Anyway.

That's why we THINK we stay.

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But really?

We stay because we're conditioned to stay.

The System depends on it.

We stay because we're taught to value others way above ourselves.

The System depends on it.

We stay because we're encouraged to build our whole identity around the role we fill.

The System depends on it.

We stay because we're conditioned to deny and distrust our own desires.

The System depends on it.

*

Finally

we stay because we spend every drop of energy getting through the miserable week,

and we're too damn tired, physically and spiritually,

to even i m a g i n e Something Better,

much less go for it.

We stay because in this depleted state,

we feel small, and dull, and doubtful,

and we're scared to go Out There alone.

I get it.

I've been there.

Multiple times.

And here's what I've learned:

Something Better is always available to you,

if you're available to it.

Once you're free from what doesn't work for you,

you have unbelievable amounts of energy to find and build what does.

What works for YOU is more lucrative - in so very many ways - than you can imagine.

Most importantly:

You're never more alone than when you've abandoned yourself.

Read that again. And then, sweetheart:

Come home to you.

That's the best place to stay.

love,

Natalie