“Flourishing is the product of the pursuit and engagement of an authentic life that brings inner joy and happiness through meeting goals, being connected with life’s passions, and relishing accomplishments through the peaks and valleys of life.”
— Dr. Martin Seligman
In This Session, Eye Matter Explored the continuum of surviving, thriving, and flourishing, and reflected on how these experiences can show up in different areas of our lives.
Eye Matter also discussed how wellbeing is not an all-or-nothing experience. We are rarely surviving, thriving, or flourishing in every area at the same time. For example, we might be surviving in relation to our health, thriving in our relationships, and flourishing in a hobby, interest, or area of personal growth.
The group explored the differences between these three states:
Surviving is often focused on coping, managing challenges, and getting through difficult periods. It can feel exhausting and require most of our energy simply to meet the demands of daily life.
Thriving involves having enough resources, support, and energy to grow, engage with life, and move beyond simply coping.
Flourishing goes a step further. It is often associated with meaning, purpose, connection, personal strengths, and a sense of living fully, even when life still contains challenges.
We discussed how mindfulness can support us at every point on this continuum. Mindfulness helps us become aware of where we are, relate to our experiences with greater kindness, and notice opportunities for growth without judging ourselves.
Eye Matter also explored how character strengths such as hope, perseverance, gratitude, kindness, curiosity, and perspective can help us move from surviving toward thriving, and at times, toward flourishing.
Through reflection and guided meditation, we considered where we currently find ourselves on the continuum and explored what small steps might help us move forward while recognising areas where we may already be thriving or flourishing.
Our next session will be on Tuesday 4th August 2026.