Only you can define your best life. I recently saw a critic describe the couple featured in Song Sung Blue as a duo that never achieved success. This struck me as ridiculous.
The couple supported themselves making music they loved. They opened for The Red Hot Chili Peppers. There are two movies about their lives. How is that not successful?
There are tons of bands in any given city that have a regular gig and large local following but have never filled an arena. Are they not successful either?
Funny thing, I’d never heard of this critic nor do I remember his name. By his own definition, I guess he hasn’t achieved success either. Or maybe he’s independently wealthy and considers that a sign of his success.
I mention all of this because you’re not going to feel like you’re thriving unless you’re taking steps toward living your best ideal life or you have learned to glean the best moments from the life you have.
I’m not against ambition, big dreams, moving forward, or getting ahead. I believe most of us can achieve more than we imagine. But I also believe that it’s okay to feel satisfied with a role that fills your heart and soul but isn’t considered the pinnacle of a profession.
How many miserable people do you know who judge themselves by another’s criteria?
How many people beat themselves up because they can’t live up to another’s expectation?
How many people become depressed because a real-life obstacle prevents them from achieving a dream?
I know tons of people from each of these categories. Do they have better lives being miserable or would they benefit from finding a new way to evaluate their situation?
A life lived according to your values, filled with satisfying work, comfortable surroundings, and solid relationships is hard to beat. It doesn’t always bring exotic trips, celebrity elbow rubbing, or world renown. But those things only have the value we allow them.
Alex Honnold may require the challenge of free soloing Taipei 101 for his life to feel complete. I do not need this. Even if I were a climber, I don’t think I’d need to conquer that level of challenge to feel successful. And if you explore any extreme example, you may feel the same way.
At the same time, you may subconsciously assess your life as lacking by using our movie critic’s standard.
If thriving is important to you in 2026, examine your values. Rate them in importance to you. Compare your everyday reality to the level at which it reflects these values. Take whatever steps are required to sync your life with your values.
Even if you don’t reach a single arbitrary milestone, you will feel more successful. Keep it up and you may be surprised that you are inching closer than ever before to your dreams.
It’s hard to argue that living your values is not living your best life. And living your best life and thriving go hand in hand.
