Don’t Let the System Win: How to Lift Yourself Up When Society Tries to Pull You Down
You weren’t born just to survive the system, but somewhere along the way, many of us were taught that surviving is the goal.
Get the job. Keep the benefits. Work the hours. Push through the exhaustion. Numb the calling. Be grateful for the stability, even if it slowly erodes your spirit.
Does this sound familiar?
The System Wasn’t Designed with Your Wholeness in Mind
Let’s call it like it is:
We live in a time where conscious healthcare is a privilege
Where eating well costs far more than fast food
Where chronic burnout is normalized
Where going against the grain is seen as naive
We’re sold the idea that security should be prioritized over soul… That risk is selfish, and that choosing your truth is irresponsible.
But here's the truth you already know in your gut: You weren’t made to fit inside a structure that’s misaligned with your values.
And if your soul is calling you to something more… more freedom, more creativity, more truth… then honoring that calling isn’t rebellion. It’s returning to who you are.
This Isn’t About Shame. It’s About Choice.
I want to acknowledge something here: Not everyone wants to leave the system. Some people thrive in it. Some find comfort in that routine, stability, predictability. And that’s okay.
But if something deep inside you is whispering, “This isn’t it…” That whisper deserves to be heard. And more than that, it deserves to be followed.
Whether it’s:
Leaving a job you’ve outgrown
Launching your own business
Creating art, raising children differently, moving off-grid, healing trauma, or simply resting when the world says go go go, every step you take toward what’s real for you is an act of courage.
Don’t Let the System Win
And let me say, this isn’t about recklessness. It’s not about quitting your job tomorrow or burning it all down. It’s about not giving up on yourself just because the system makes it hard.
Don’t let the system talk you out of your dream.
Don’t let fear of being misunderstood keep you in a life you’ve outgrown.
Don’t let society’s definition of success suffocate your own.
You get one ride through this life, and the longer you ignore what’s calling you, the harder it is to pretend you’re okay.
So What Can You Do, Practically?
Here are three grounded steps to stay anchored in your truth, even when the system pushes back:
1. Name What’s Calling You
Write it down. Say it out loud. Tell someone you trust. What do you really want? Even if you don’t know how yet… just name it.
2. Identify What’s in the Way
Is it money? Fear of disappointing someone? Get clear on what’s actually creating a roadblock so you can plan a way around it.
3. Commit to One Small Aligned Action
Can you shift your schedule? Start saving? Explore an alternative plan? It’s not about doing everything at once. It’s about doing something that says: “I’m still in this. I’m still choosing me.”
Remember:
You don’t have to go fast… you don’t have to go big… you just have to go honestly.
Because your life? It’s still yours to shape.
Don’t let the system win.
Yours in courage,
~ Austen 🫶🏼
If This Resonated:
For more on this reflection, listen to this week’s episode of the Ride Your Tide podcast, a message for anyone feeling the friction of living differently. #054: Don’t Let the System Win: Making This One Life Yours
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