The Mask Behind “I’m Fine”
Only 33% of the global population is truly thriving, according to the Global Wellness Institute. What about the rest of us? We hide behind the default scripts, “I am fine” or “I am doing well,” even when the truth is quieter, nuanced, and still unfolding.
Your feed scrolls like a Wellness belt on loop—tips, advice, hacks, and top 3’s for every part of life—productivity hacks, creativity tips, self-help trends, and relationship advice—yet the Gallup thriving report reveals fewer than half of adults qualify as “thriving”—the lowest rate in five years.
Success wears layers—if you peel them to the last, what do you feel? Does success foster well-being, or is it solely dependent on your mental state?
What we don’t say
In 2025, well-being is more than simply a personal goal; it is a shared challenge. While the global wellness economy has steadily improved since 2021, emotional well-being has not kept pace.
- Lingering mental health stagnation persists.
- Younger men in the U.S. are among the loneliest in the Western world.
Most affected: Low-income workers, women, and racial and ethnic minorities are the most vulnerable to financial and emotional stress. This strains their well-being. Getting by is becoming more difficult as the distance between the two widens.
Beyond Science
We love seeing insights that highlight positivity—happiness is personal yet powerful to human evolution.
- Happiness & Evolution: A Pew optimism study found something obvious yet overlooked: the power of optimism changes everything. If you feel the economy is on your side, you’re 30% more likely to say life itself has improved.”
- The World Health Organization says health isn’t just the absence of illness. It’s the moment you can stretch into your own abilities, steady your stress, and still give something back to your community.
- The World Happiness Report reminds us: money fades fast. Relationships don’t. Purpose lasts longer when it’s carried by people, not paychecks.
What’s your self-care ROI? How are you investing in your well-being today? As long as it pays into longevity, performance, and collective prosperity, you are thriving.
Is balance the wrong goal?
You are constantly juggling to find balance, which affects all aspects of your life. Ever wonder why balance feels so elusive?
Perhaps balance has always been the wrong pursuit. Your brain craves meaning, not just balance. Maybe that’s why you keep cluttering and decluttering your wellness calendar.
A Question for You
If thriving is more than balance, what does it mean for your community, your workplace, or your daily choices?
Maybe thriving isn’t balanced at all. It’s how boldly we define it for ourselves.”
