5 Surefire Ways To Know You're Not Totally Failing At Adulting

We so often associate the word "failure" with a sense of impending doom. It's like if we fail to reach that one goal we set for ourselves, then we must really suck at life.

I've been there. And once it happens, once you've made that proverbial face-plant, your first reaction is to peace out of the whole venture, right? Who wants to feel like a failure?

I can assure you, that kiddie pool of self-pity you may be wading in is large enough for all of us. So move over, and let me share a little nonsensical wisdom.

Here are five surefire ways to know you aren't actually failing at life:

1. You have a pulse.

Yep, it really can be that simple. If you let it, that is.

Sometimes, our ego and desire for self-serving gratification gets in the way. But, do you see that rise and fall of your chest? There's your sign. Life goes on.

Someone said this to me recently, and I know it's true. But sometimes, when caught up in our own tangled mess of drama, it sounds so weighted. I'm here to tell you to shake that crap off, take a deep breath and be grateful you can do all of the above.

2. You find the balance.

Life is complex, people. We are expected to get up every day and spin our wheels tirelessly for the greater good.

Yes, I absolutely rise to the occasion. I have a deep-rooted desire to be an important part of said greater good. I even push myself to spend some mornings on the treadmill, in hopes of counteracting career and life anxieties, for the greater good.

Do I enjoy this? Heck no. But nonetheless, I do it. And it feels good later.

That being said, I can promise you that I also eat the cupcakes. It's all about balance and finding peace in the in-between.

3. You find the funny.

Please, please don't forget to find the funny. You really are failing at life if you can't laugh at yourself (and others. I mean that in a totally nice way.) Sometimes the funny even finds you.

So, make sure to embrace it. If you're having the worst day of your life, don't cast aside something that has the ability to lift you up. A good laugh can truly turn everything around.

4. You get inspired.

This may sound terribly redundant, but there's nothing more boring than a boring person. Figure out what makes you tick. Do something. Surround yourself with people who bring you up to a higher level of greatness.

For me personally, when I go out looking for inspiration and I stay transparent enough to share it with others, other people end up feeling inspired. Feeling good and spreading good is contagious.

Knowing that you have the power to affect other people and change their outlooks on life can truly bring joy to yourself. Never forget that.

5. You allow yourself to dream big.

And you allow yourself to fail sometimes. Because one of these days, you're going to get it right.

Life is all about trying new things and taking risks, so make sure experience it all. Never let negative thoughts stop you from going after what you really want.

So no, you are not a failure. None of us are.

Even at those low points when you've eaten two pints of ice cream and can't get off the couch on a Sunday, you are still your own form of total success. This is the ebb and flow of life, and you have to take the highs and lows as they come.

You got this.

This article was originally published on the author's personal blog.