Stop "Getting By" – Start Living the Life You Actually Love

As 2025 drew to a close, I knew I wanted more than just another year of "getting by." When I joined Gemma Stone's THRIVE program days before the new year, I was ready to make a change – and what I discovered was the path to building a life I genuinely love.

 
Living the Life You Love Starts Within
 
At the heart of the program is a powerful truth: we can only create lives we love when we're deeply connected to who we are and what matters most. We went through three core phases that turn this idea from a dream into a tangible reality.
 
Phase 1: Reflecting – Seeing Our Lives Clearly
 
The journey began with Reflecting – not just a quick look back, but a thoughtful exploration of where we are today and how we got here. We identified moments that brought us joy or drained our energy, and dug into the values that truly drive us (not just the ones we think we should have).
 
For me, this meant recognizing that while everything seems to be doing well, very few parts of my day actually aligned with my love for creativity and connection. Taking time to reflect helped me see the gap between the life I was living and the one I wanted to build.
 
Phase 2: Releasing – Letting Go to Make Room
 
Next came Releasing – letting go of the limiting beliefs, outdated patterns, and commitments that were holding us back. We used practical exercises to identify thoughts like "I have to work long hours to be valued" or "I don't have time for what I love," then reframed them with more empowering perspectives.
 
I had to release the idea that rest was a luxury or that hobbies were a waste of time. Once I let go of these barriers, I suddenly had space to bring what matters most into my daily life.
 
Phase 3: Redesigning – Building Our Ideal Life
 
The final phase was Redesigning – creating concrete plans to align our days, weeks, and goals with the life we love. We built personalized rhythms that balanced productivity with passion, set goals that felt meaningful rather than overwhelming, and connected our actions to our core values.
 
I redesigned my weekly schedule to include dedicated time for my husband and children and structured my work days to prioritize collaborative projects that feed my love of connection. Already, these changes have made every day feel more purposeful and joyful.
 
Final Thoughts
 
Living the life you love isn't about waiting for the perfect moment or winning the lottery – it's about intentionally reflecting on where you are, releasing what's holding you back, and redesigning your life to match what matters most. The program gave me the tools and support to do exactly that.
 
As I step into 2026, I'm not just setting resolutions – I'm living the life I've always wanted, one intentional choice at a time.














  

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