Are you thriving? Here are few signs that you’re on the right emotional path

Have you ever come across a day where you wake up feeling calmer than usual? Nothing extraordinary has happened; your routine is the same, your responsibilities are still there. Only, your mind feels lighter. You seem to handle small problems without panic, listen more patiently and even find yourself smiling for no apparent reason. Moments like these might pass without being noticed, but they are telling of something. Chances are, you are doing better mentally.

In a world that is mostly asking us to fix what is wrong, we rarely pause to notice what is going right. Having mental wellbeing is not only about the absence of stress, sadness, fear or anxiety, it’s also about recognising our progress and our strength. Knowing that we are on the right emotional path can be reassuring, especially during challenging and uncertain times. When we acknowledge our growth, we build confidence. We become motivated to do and face more things.

Research supports this idea too. A study published in the Journal of Aging Research found that people with a more positive outlook on life tend to live longer. The study also found that those who approached life with optimism showed better overall health. This suggests that how we think and feel about life can have an impact on our wellbeing.

Further, experts have noted that a positive mindset often goes hand in hand with healthier habits. People who feel hopeful are more likely to move their bodies, eat healthy food and sleep better. They are more likely to practice simple things like gratitude. As Oprah Winfrey once said, “If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.” Indeed, little shifts in perspective can make a big difference. It can help us feel more grounded, happy and content. So, join us as we explore signs that say we are on the right emotional path.

Sit with your emotions

Being on the right emotional track does not equal to being happy at all times. It means that we are giving ourselves the permission to feel the harder emotions. Be it sadness, anger or disappointment, we are going through them without pushing them away. When emotions are allowed to come and go naturally, they lose their intensity. Gradually, we begin to understand that most of our emotions are temporary and manageable. So, they don’t have to be avoided.

Research published in the National Library of Medicine highlights that accepting emotions rather than resisting them can reduce emotional distress and improve one’s wellbeing. Dr Russel Kennedy, author of Anxiety Rx, explains that emotional healing begins when we stop trying to analyse or fix what we feel. Instead of searching our mind for answers, we simply feel without resistance. We allow the emotions to move through our mind and body. By doing so, we learn that emotions lose their power when they are felt fully without fear.

Respond with intention

One clear sign that you are emotionally thriving is the way you handle challenging moments. Instead of reacting instantly when something triggers you, you choose to pause. This brief moment between feeling and responding gives your mind the space it needs to settle. With this pause, you get to think more clearly, express yourself better and also avoid saying things that you may regret later.

A study conducted by psychologists from the University of St. Andrews found that taking even a five-second break during moments of conflict among couples can significantly reduce aggressive or impulsive reactions. These few seconds can offer people a chance to slow their breathing, calm their nerves and shift out of the stress response. This simple habit of pausing can teach you to respond with care, turning difficult moments into opportunities for connection.

Make peace with mistakes, setbacks

We have all been there, replaying old moments in our minds, wishing we had said something differently or made another choice. It’s easy to get stuck in the past and question our decisions. In fact, its really easy to be hard on ourselves. But constantly dwelling on the past traps us in a cycle of guilt and suffering. On the other hand, emotionally thriving people learn to accept that mistakes are a natural part of life. They understand that perfection is not possible at all times nor is it desirable.

As American politician Hillary Clinton once said, “You know, everybody has setbacks in their life, and everybody falls short of whatever goals they might set for themselves. That’s part of living and coming to terms with who you are as a person.” Accepting this truth allows us to let go of self-judgment. It also enhances our confidence and emotional wellbeing.

Care for self sans guilt

Self-care often takes a backseat due to our busy and hectic lives. Our responsibilities or chores make it easy for us to put our own needs on the backseat. However, prioritising our wellbeing is essential to staying emotionally healthy and resilient. When we are on the right emotional path, looking after our body and mind becomes non-negotiable. This means resting when needed, eating right, moving our body and following routines that are good for physical and mental health. Dr Caroline Perjessy, president of the Association for Humanistic Counselling and a faculty member at SNHU, explains that small acts of self-care can make a big difference in life.

Simple things like paying attention to our breathing, practising mindfulness or even pausing to notice our surroundings, can help regulate our emotions and keep the mind calm, happy and at peace.

Find joy in everyday moments

According to the American Psychological Association (APA) 27% of US adults report feeling so stressed that it affects their ability to function. Over 75% experience one stress-related symptom such as headache, nervousness and low mood. This is where finding joy in everyday moments can help. Emotionally thriving people find ways to pause and enjoy life’s small joys. When one is thriving emotionally, it shows up in little ways. People begin to notice and appreciate everyday pleasures, whether it is a warm tea, a peaceful walk or a friendly conversation. As actress Goldie Hawn states, “The only thing that will make you happy is being happy with who you are.” Learning to find happiness in everyday life is a key sign that you are on the right emotional path.

It is important to remember that thriving mentally and emotionally doesn’t mean that we don’t have any challenges to face. It means we have the tools to manage our emotions, respond to them thoughtfully, learn from setbacks, care for ourselves and find joy in everyday moments. These signs can truly tell us that we are on the right path. Emotional wellbeing is a journey, and noticing our progress is just as important as working towards it.