Survival mode—most of us know what it feels like. Constantly hustling, barely keeping our heads above water, and wondering why things aren’t aligning the way we want them to. One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was that I was the creator of everything I was experiencing. This realization didn’t come easy, but it was a turning point. If you feel stuck in survival mode, I want to share with you how to step out of it, regain control, and stop settling for the status quo.
Recognizing the Root of Survival Mode
For many of us, especially women, we’ve been conditioned to believe that compromising our boundaries, over-forgiving, and being “nice” will eventually get us what we want. We tell ourselves, “If I just suffer through this, if I keep pushing, everything will work out.” But the truth is, this mindset often keeps us trapped in a cycle of doing things we don’t want to do for results we don’t actually want.
I used to believe that everything happening to me was someone else’s fault—my clients, the market, or my circumstances. But once I realized that I was the creator of my experience, I took a hard look at my business. I saw that I was building something out of fear rather than joy, and it wasn’t sustainable. The first step in escaping survival mode is owning that responsibility and making the choice to create something new.
Moving Beyond the Drama Triangle
When we’re stuck in survival mode, we often fall into the “drama triangle,” where we play one of three roles: the victim, the persecutor (blaming others), or the rescuer (trying to fix everything). I talk more about this in the Hotel Florist Profit Method course and the book. I’ve been in all three roles, especially the victim, believing that no one understood how hard I was working and how much I was sacrificing.
But none of those roles empower you. They only keep you stuck in the status quo. The way out is to step into the role of the creator—recognizing that you’re in charge of your business, your time, and your future. Once I started making empowered decisions and setting boundaries with clients that didn’t align with my values, everything changed. I began creating a business that was rooted in joy, freedom, and purpose.
Reclaiming Your Time and Freedom
In 2019, I reached a breaking point. Not only had I fallen out of love with my business, but with my life. It wasn’t until I went on a solo retreat and realized I wasn’t living the freedom I thought entrepreneurship would give me. I was constantly busy, working with clients I didn’t like, and feeling tied down. I thought I was doing what I had to do, but in reality, I wasn’t giving myself permission to create the business and life I actually wanted.
That’s when I made the shift. I began focusing on what I truly wanted—freedom. I stopped working with clients that drained me and started saying “no” to work that didn’t align with my values. This wasn’t easy, and I didn’t have proof that it would work at first, but it was the best decision I ever made. Within six months, I had replaced the income I lost from those clients and built a business that felt aligned with my values and goals.
Weeding Out the Unnecessary
Think of your business as a garden. You wouldn’t tear out the entire garden just because a few weeds popped up, right? Instead, you pull the weeds while nurturing the plants you want to keep. It’s the same with your business. If you feel like you’re stuck in survival mode, it’s time to do some weeding.
Take a hard look at what’s not working—outdated systems, unaligned clients, or areas where you’re stretching yourself too thin. Start releasing those things that no longer serve you so that you can focus on what truly matters. This process is uncomfortable, but necessary if you want to build something sustainable.
Getting Out of Survival Mode for Good
Survival mode shouldn’t be your status quo. It’s not healthy for your business, your relationships, or your well-being. It’s time to shift from surviving to thriving. You don’t need to wait until you reach a certain milestone or income level to start living the life you want. You can begin today, by making small shifts, setting boundaries, and allowing yourself the space to dream bigger.
Remember, you are the creator of everything in your life. If you don’t like what you’re experiencing, you have the power to change it.
Conclusion
If you feel like you’re in survival mode, it’s time to take a step back and evaluate what’s really going on. What are you holding onto that no longer serves you? What can you release to create more space for what truly matters? By owning your role as the creator of your experience, setting boundaries, and focusing on what you love, you can escape survival mode and build a business and life that lights you up.
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Keep blooming,
Franceska
