5 Mindset Shifts That Saved My Sanity

Let’s just get this out of the way: I didn't learn these from some guru, a shiny self-help book, or a weekend retreat in the mountains. I learned them in the middle of mental chaos — while ugly crying on the kitchen floor, fighting off burnout, and questioning if I was just… bad at life.

For a long time, I thought my problem was that I wasn’t trying hard enough. Like maybe I just needed to hustle more, sleep less, “grind” my way to peace or something. Turns out, what I actually needed was a complete mindset makeover. Not a glow-up. Not a motivational quote on a wallpaper. I needed deep, uncomfortable, brain-rewiring shifts.

I didn’t find these five mindset changes all at once. They came to me slowly — sometimes painfully — like puzzle pieces I didn’t know I was missing. But each one? It cracked something open in me. These shifts didn’t just help me feel better. They helped me come back to myself.

1. “Done” Is Better Than “Perfect” — Every Time

Perfectionism was my comfort zone. My illusion of control. I used to polish and tweak everything until I either burned out or gave up. Instagram captions, emails, even texts to friends. It all had to be flawless, or it wasn’t worth posting.

But perfection? It’s a trap dressed in productivity’s clothes. A sneaky way fear keeps us stuck.

One day, out of sheer frustration, I hit “publish” on something that felt 70% done. Not perfect. Not polished. Just... finished.

And nothing exploded.

No one judged me. No one laughed. Actually, people connected with it more than anything I'd worked endlessly on.

That’s when it hit me: getting things done, even imperfectly, builds momentum. Waiting for perfection? That just builds dust.

2. You’re Not Lazy. You’re Probably Just Overwhelmed

I used to call myself lazy all the time. Like — all the time. When the dishes piled up, when I couldn’t focus, when I’d lie in bed doom-scrolling instead of working on my goals… “lazy” was my go-to label.

But one day I had this weird realization. What if I wasn’t lazy at all? What if I was just… tired?

Not “take a nap” tired. I mean mentally exhausted. Spiritually depleted. Emotionally running on fumes.

We don’t talk about that enough. That the constant pressure to do more, be more, prove more — it weighs on you. You shut down. You freeze. Then you shame yourself for not being a productivity machine.

Now, I ask myself: What if this is overwhelm, not failure?

That question alone has saved me on so many heavy days.

3. Rest Is Not a Reward. It’s a Requirement.

This one took me way too long to learn. I used to only let myself rest when I had “earned” it. You know the vibe — finish all the tasks, crush the to-do list, and then you can sit down and breathe.

But the truth? I never actually got to that finish line. There was always more. Always something else demanding my energy.

One weekend, I hit total burnout. The kind that makes your body feel like it’s made of bricks. Couldn’t focus. Couldn’t create. Could barely shower.

And the thing is, burnout doesn’t knock. It just walks in and shuts the lights off.

Since then, I’ve started putting rest first. Not last. Not as a reward. As a non-negotiable. Sometimes that means I cancel plans. Sometimes I take a walk instead of a work call. It’s uncomfortable, sure. But burnout? That’s worse.

4. Not Everyone Gets Front Row Access to Your Life

I used to give everyone access — my thoughts, my energy, my time. If someone needed me, I was there. If someone said something hurtful, I’d obsess over it for days. Total people-pleaser energy.

Then I read this somewhere and it stuck with me like glue: “Not everyone deserves front-row seats to your life.”

Boom. That one hit different.

I started reevaluating who I was letting into my inner world. Not everyone needs to know your every move. Not everyone deserves your emotional labor. Protecting your peace isn’t rude. It’s wise.

Now, I set boundaries. Sometimes clumsily. Sometimes late. But still — I do it. And every time I do, I feel a little more free.

5. You Don’t Have to Be Fully Healed to Be Worthy

This might be the hardest one for me. Still is, honestly.

There was a version of me that believed I had to fix everything before I could be happy. That I had to be emotionally balanced, perfectly productive, wildly successful, and never triggered in order to deserve love or peace.

What a lie.

You are not a project that needs finishing. You don’t need to “earn” your worth. You are enough — right now. Broken parts and all.

Yes, keep growing. Keep healing. But stop waiting until you’re perfect to let yourself feel joy. Life’s happening right now. Not later. Not when you’re “better.” Now.

Final Thought (And a Little Ask)

If you’re still here reading this — thank you. I hope one of these shifts planted a little something in your heart.

I didn’t write this as a “how-to” guide. This is more of a love letter to anyone who’s been quietly struggling in their own mind, thinking they’re the only one.

You’re not.

These mindset shifts didn’t just change how I think — they changed how I treat myself. And honestly? That’s what saved me.

If this resonated even a little, I’d love for you to like, share, or send it to someone who might need it today.

And if you want more honest, messy, real-talk content like this — subscribe or follow along.

Let’s keep showing up, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.