Is Okay Enough? A Quiet Reflection
Exploring the tension between surviving, thriving, and finding peace in the in-between.
Last week, I came across an article titled What Does It Mean to Be Okay? The author
, inspired by a friend’s simple yet profound question, took a deep dive into the concept of “okay.” Their thoughtful exploration - from Maslow’s hierarchy to existentialist musings - left me reflecting on my own relationship with this word we toss around so easily.“Are you okay?”It’s such a small question, but depending on the day, it can feel impossible to answer.
I’ve been on the receiving end of this question many times. Some days, I’ve answered it honestly: “No, not really.” Other times, I’ve dodged it with a polite “I’m fine,” when I was anything but. And there are moments, like the author of that piece, when my honest response was, “I’m not sure.”
What does it mean to be okay? And is being okay enough?
Redefining Okay: A Personal Reflection
For me, “okay” is a state that often exists in the quiet spaces between extremes. It’s not joy, but it’s not despair either. It’s the deep breath after chaos, the lull in the storm.
As a single mother navigating challenges that can sometimes feel relentless, okay has often been my saving grace. Okay means my kids are safe, my home is a sanctuary, and I’ve made it through another day. But it also means I’m not always thriving. Sometimes, okay is just survival—a precarious balance that can feel like both a relief and a burden.
The Dimensions of Okay-ness
The article’s breakdown of okay through different lenses—psychology, sociology, existentialism—gave me new ways to think about this middle ground. Here’s how some of those ideas resonate with my own journey:
Okay as Stability (Maslow’s View)
Maslow saw okay-ness as the foundation for growth: a place where basic needs are met and we feel a sense of belonging. This resonates deeply. For me, okay often begins with stability—knowing my children are fed, the bills are paid, and there’s a roof over our heads. But stability isn’t static; it shifts depending on the day.
Some days, being okay feels like a victory. Other days, it feels like I’m teetering on the edge, barely keeping it together. And yet, without that foundation, there’s no space for growth or self-discovery.
Okay as Acceptance (Existentialist View)
The existentialist perspective struck a chord with me: being okay means coming to terms with uncertainty and life’s inherent messiness. As someone who’s faced a fair share of unknowns, I’ve learned that okay often means embracing the ambiguity of life.
It’s not about having all the answers or achieving some elusive sense of completeness. It’s about finding moments of meaning in the chaos, about continuing to move forward even when the path ahead is unclear.
The Pressure to Be More Than Okay
There’s an unspoken expectation in our culture to be more than okay—to be thriving, excelling, glowing. But what if we allowed ourselves to rest in the quiet middle ground? What if being okay was not just acceptable but enough?
I’ve often felt the pressure to present a polished, thriving version of myself to the world, even when I was far from okay. But the truth is, there’s a quiet courage in admitting you’re in the middle of the spectrum. Not thriving, not crumbling—just existing, and doing your best.
Finding Peace in Okay
In my own life, I’ve come to see okay as a practice, not a destination. It’s the small moments of grace I give myself when I’m overwhelmed. It’s the cup of tea after a long day, the quiet moment of gratitude before bed, the reminder that I’m doing enough—even if it doesn’t feel like it.
Okay doesn’t have to be the end of the story. It can be a stepping stone, the foundation for something more. But sometimes, okay is enough.
A Question for You
The original article ended with this powerful thought: being okay is a daily tension between accepting where we are and believing we can go further. I couldn’t agree more.
So, I’ll leave you with this: What does okay mean for you right now? Can you give yourself permission to rest in that middle ground?
Let’s make peace with okay, even as we quietly keep becoming.
Thank you to
(article link here), for inspiring this reflection.With love,
Salwa
@Salwa 🇬🇧 -I love this article! "What does okay mean for you right now?"
At the moment, it means building self-efficacy in the space that is my wellbeing - and then riding the flow state if it hits me.
Thank you so much for this beautiful article. ✨ I think “okay” for me means acceptance of reality. Accepting the past as my teacher, appreciating the present as the only moment that truly exists, and having faith in the future I am laying the foundation for now.