Patience.

It’s one of those things everyone says you need, but no one tells you how to actually have.

“Good things take time.”
“Be patient, it’ll happen.”
“Trust the process.”

Yeah, okay. But what about when you’ve been patient for years and nothing seems to change?

What about when you feel stuck, watching other people move forward while you’re still in the same place?

What about when you don’t even know if what you’re waiting for is actually coming?

The Torture of Almost

There’s a difference between being completely lost and being almost there.

When you’re lost, at least you know it. You accept that you have no idea what you’re doing, and in some weird way, that’s kind of freeing.

But being almost there? That’s where the real frustration kicks in.

• Almost making enough money to move out.
• Almost turning your passion into something real.
• Almost feeling like you’re getting your life together.

It’s like running toward the finish line, only for it to keep moving further away.

And no one prepares you for that kind of waiting.

The Lies We Tell Ourselves

When life makes us wait, we start telling ourselves some dangerous stories.

• “If it hasn’t happened yet, it’s never going to happen.”
• “Maybe I’m just not good enough.”
• “Other people have figured it out—why can’t I?”

The longer we wait, the more these thoughts start to feel like facts.

We convince ourselves that we’re falling behind, that we’re running out of time, that we missed our shot.

But here’s the truth: Just because something hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it won’t.

Timing is messy. Progress isn’t linear. And patience isn’t about sitting around doing nothing—it’s about continuing to move forward, even when it feels pointless.

The Unfairness of Watching Others Get There First

Let’s be real—watching other people succeed while you’re still struggling? Brutal.

You see friends getting married, buying houses, landing their dream jobs, while you’re still trying to figure out how to afford gas.

You scroll through social media, watching people celebrate things you wish you had, and no matter how much you try to be happy for them, a part of you feels like screaming:

Why not me?

It’s not jealousy. It’s not that you don’t want them to succeed. It’s just…hard not to wonder when it’ll be your turn.

And if you’re not careful, that comparison will eat you alive.

The Difference Between Waiting and Wasting Time

A lot of people mistake patience for passivity.

They think waiting means sitting back and hoping things magically work out.

But patience isn’t passive. It’s not about doing nothing. It’s about preparing.

• It’s about putting in the work even when you’re not seeing results.
• It’s about staying consistent when quitting would be easier.
• It’s about trusting that effort does add up, even when it doesn’t feel like it.

Waiting is passive. Patience is active.

If you’re waiting, you’re just standing still.
If you’re patient, you’re still moving—just at a pace that doesn’t always feel rewarding in the moment.

When You’re Tired of Being Patient

So what do you do when you’re sick of waiting?

Shift Your Focus

Sometimes, the thing you’re waiting for isn’t happening because you’re gripping it too tightly.

Obsessing over something doesn’t make it happen faster—it just makes the wait feel longer.

So step back. Focus on something else. Put your energy into something you can control.

Sometimes, when you stop forcing something, that’s when it finally starts to happen.

Redefine Progress

We think progress means big, life-changing events—getting the job, hitting the milestone, reaching the goal.

But progress is also:

• Learning something new.
• Becoming more disciplined.
• Building better habits.
• Gaining a deeper understanding of yourself.

Not all progress is visible. Some of it happens quietly, in the background, shaping you into the person who will be ready when the opportunity finally comes.

Remember: You’re Not Running Out of Time

One of the biggest lies we believe is that we’re falling behind.

That if we don’t have everything figured out by a certain age, we’ve failed.

But life isn’t a race. There’s no deadline for getting your life together.

Some people peak at 20. Some don’t find their thing until 50. Some take detours, some take the long way, some go in circles for a while before they figure it out.

It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you keep going.

The Patience It Took to Write This

You know what’s ironic?

This blog. This whole Mindful Living Guides thing.

I started this with no clue what I was doing. No audience. No guarantee that anyone would care.

And there were nights I wanted to quit. Nights I thought, Why am I even bothering?

But I kept going. Kept writing. Kept posting. Even when it felt pointless.

And now? People are actually reading. Engaging. Reaching out.

It didn’t happen overnight. It took time. It took patience. It took trusting the process, even when I hated the process.

And whatever you’re waiting for right now? It’ll take patience too.

Final Thoughts (For the Days When You’re Ready to Give Up)

• You’re not behind. Your timing is your own.
• Good things take time—but they also take effort. Keep showing up.
• Not seeing results doesn’t mean you’re not making progress.
• Stay patient. Stay consistent. Stay moving.

Because one day, you’re going to look back and realize—it was all adding up the whole time.

—J