There are seasons in life where growth looks obvious.
You see progress.
Feel momentum.
You can point to accomplishments and say, Yes, we’re moving forward.
And then some seasons look nothing like that.
Seasons where everything feels heavy.
Where days blur together.
Where your main goal is simply getting through.
If you’re in one of those seasons right now, let this be your reminder:
Some seasons are about surviving—and that’s okay.
When “Thriving” Feels Out of Reach
There’s a lot of language around parenting that focuses on thriving, optimizing, and doing more.
But special needs parenting doesn’t always allow space for that.
Sometimes your energy goes toward:
- Managing daily needs
- Keeping routines steady
- Holding emotions together
- Responding to things you didn’t plan for
In those moments, surviving isn’t a failure—it’s a necessary response.
You are meeting the demands of the season you’re in, even if it doesn’t look impressive from the outside.
Survival Seasons Still Count
It can be tempting to look back on these periods and feel like time was wasted.
Like you should have done more.
Like you fell behind.
As if you missed something important.
But survival seasons still matter.
They’re often when:
- Resilience is quietly built
- Boundaries are learned
- Strength is tested and proven
- Deep love continues, even under strain
Just because you weren’t building something new doesn’t mean you weren’t holding something meaningful together.
Remember, you don’t have to force meaning or growth in this season; practicing self-compassion is enough and necessary.
There’s pressure to find lessons or silver linings in hard times.
But you don’t owe anyone growth narratives or inspirational takeaways.
It’s okay if this season is just hard.
Okay if you don’t feel grateful for it.
You’re okay if all you can do is get through.
Survival doesn’t need to be productive to be valid.
Resting Expectations Can Be an Act of Care
Sometimes the most compassionate thing you can do is lower the bar—not because you’re giving up, but because you’re being honest about your capacity.
You’re allowed to:
- Let some things wait
- Say no more often
- Choose what truly matters right now
Surviving doesn’t mean you’ll stay here forever.
It means you’re protecting yourself and your family until things feel steadier again.
This Season Will Change
Even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.
Survival seasons have a way of slowly shifting—often without announcement. One day, you realize breathing feels a little easier. Another day, you notice you have space to think ahead again.
You don’t have to rush that process.
You’re allowed to move through this season at the pace it requires.
A Gentle Closing Reminder
Today was about getting through—
If progress looked like endurance—
If surviving was all you had to give—
That is enough.
You are not failing because this season is hard.
You are responding to it with care.
And that matters more than you may ever realize.
