Thriving & Progressing: Two Poems About the Slow, Honest Kind of Success

Success looks a certain way on social media. Perfectly lit. Big moments. Clear before-and-afters. But from the inside, success mostly looks like Thursday. Getting up. Doing the thing again. Not knowing if it's working yet.

Anaya wrote Thriving and Progressing about that version — the real one.

THRIVING

They say thriving is living full and bold,

Chasing your dreams, breaking the mold.

But I've learned it's more than just success,

It's finding balance, in the chaos, no less.

It's the way you rise, no matter the storm,

Staying grounded, yet feeling warm.

It's in the strength you build every day,

And the courage to never turn away.

Thriving is the joy that fills your soul,

The way you live, feeling truly whole.

It's in the moments of peace you find,

And the clarity that comes to your mind.

It's the passion you put in everything you do,

The way you grow, and make dreams come true.

It's in the love you give and receive,

And knowing that you're meant to achieve.

Thriving isn't just about having it all,

It's about standing strong when life makes you fall.

It's in the growth, the joy, the grace,

And the confidence to keep up the chase.

PROGRESSING

They say progressing is moving ahead,

Chasing new goals, where others have fled.

But I've learned it's more than just a race,

It's the quiet steps, the steady pace.

It's the way you push forward, even when slow,

Trusting the journey, letting it flow.

It's in the small wins that build up high,

And the moments of doubt that teach you why.

Progressing is about learning from each try,

Finding strength in the lows and reaching for the sky.

It's in the resilience that keeps you strong,

And knowing the path, no matter how long.

It's the way you grow through the hard times,

Turning struggles into rhythm and rhyme.

It's the patience you hold when things don't move fast,

And the faith you keep, knowing this too shall pass.

Progressing isn't always fast or loud,

It's about staying true, not lost in the crowd.

It's in the effort, the heart you give,

And the quiet growth that lets you live.

— Anaya Deshmukh, Daughters of India

What does progressing look like for you right now — specifically? Not the version you'd post. The real version. Tell us in the comments.

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Part of our Whispers Within poetry series: Evolving & Flourishing, Whole-Hearted & Breathtaking, Unique & Accepting, and more — explore the full collection on our Whispers Within pillar page.

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