Never settle

Photography by Danielle Ann Rose @bydanielleannrose

We should always pursue our full and true potential. When we settle for less than we deserve, want and are capable of, we give up on ourselves, surrender our dreams and commit to a life of wondering “What if?”

Whether it be a job you don’t enjoy, a friendship you’ve outgrown, a relationship that doesn’t feel right or being afraid to leave your comfort zone, whenever you settle for less you limit yourself from growing into the person you are meant to be

Never let the fear of the unknown hold you back from taking action. Choose to move forward in life and step towards your dreams, your future and your greatest self

Here are a few reminders:

You should never remain in a place where you feel unwanted, undervalued or dismissed

You should never ignore your happiness, morals or intuition

You should never stop pursuing what you want in life. Regardless of your age, financial situation or other peoples judgements

It’s easy to remain in your comfort zone, staying stagnant, never moving forward. It feels safer not stretching yourself past the confines of what's familiar. It’s comfortable to have routine and consistency. All of that is true. However, it doesn’t compare to the feeling of expanding your existence further than you ever thought possible, while growing into a person you didn’t know you were capable of becoming. I would much rather step out of my comfort zone, stretch beyond my limits and learn or experience something new, than settle for safe, comfortable and familiar

If someone or something is not meant for you, it’s crucial that you listen to your heart and honour what is right for your highest self. No matter how difficult it might be to make that decision or have that conversation, further down the line you will look back and be so proud of yourself for having the strength to do so because where you’re going is full of self-discovery, growth, experience, awareness, and newness. Anything you envision for yourself is possible if you take the action required to make it happen

Embracing the unknown pushes us beyond the confines of anything we ever imagined possible for ourselves, strengthening our resolve and finding fulfilment and purpose along the way. Never settling for less ensures that we learn new skills, better ourselves and achieve our goals. Capturing every opportunity that comes our way and continuously building our ambitions

This pursuit of fulfilment requires resilience and determination though, the rewards are immeasurable. The world around us is bursting with possibility and by never choosing to stay in spaces we’ve outgrown or places we don’t enjoy being, we can fulfil our greatest potential and create a life that truly reflects our deepest desires, passions and ability to love

It is often said that compromise and sacrifice are part of life, and while that may be true at times, settling for mediocrity undermines self-worth and limits your potential for growth and happiness. This is why it’s so important to be radically honest about how you’re feeling and what you want out of life. It’s possible to be content with where you’re at while still pursuing internal growth and external goals. By refusing to accept less than we deserve, we empower ourselves and those around us to create a full and rich life

Conflict is uncomfortable for a lot of people, which is why most choose not to speak up for themselves but, when you know you deserve better it is imperative that you use your voice to assert your rights and advocate for yourself, regardless if it feels scary, or awkward to do so. Your feelings and opinions matter and deserve to be heard and respected

Knowing your worth, setting boundaries and standing up for yourself are essential acts of self-empowerment. It can be uncomfortable to speak your truth and ask for what you want, but the outcome far outweighs the momentary discomfort

I hope you refuse to accept anything less than what you aspire to obtain or achieve and that you are loved and adored in the way you were born to be. The people in your life should be those who lift you up and cheer you on. Those who never ask you to dilute who you are or neglect what is important to you. The jobs you hold should be those of purpose, passion and fulfilment. Jobs that never feel out of alignment or integrity

When we step outside our comfort zones, we open ourselves up to new perspectives, a wider scope of opportunities and a greater understanding of self

When we stand up for what is right we signify to the world that we demand respect and will not settle for less than we deserve

When we work hard and have the courage to ask for what we want, the higher our chances are to actually obtain and achieve such things

So please, forever explore who you are, what you want out of life and what brings you peace. It is your birthright to be magnificent in your own way and create the magic you dream of