From Striving to Soulful Living

by Laurie Richardone

Many of us might agree that we live in a culture that glorifies hustle and constant striving. My experience tells me that true fulfillment comes not from pushing harder, but from aligning with who we are — and living from that place with intention and ease.

Let us explore what it truly means to live in alignment with our true self and our soul, and how that kind of living isn’t just fulfilling, but the kind of life that feels deeply worth living.

Why does this conversation matter? This topic is personal. Not just to me, but to so many of us who have internalized the message that if we’re not constantly striving, we’re somehow falling behind.

Whether that message came from our family, our culture, or even our inner critic—it runs deep.

This isn’t just a theory for me, it’s something I had to walk through firsthand. After 20 years of building a successful salon, I found myself at a crossroads. I had loved helping people feel beautiful, but something inside me had shifted, and I was no longer aligned with that mission.

The thought of closing the salon was frightening; it had been my livelihood and identity. Still, I knew it was time to stop pushing and start listening. Trusting that clarity would come, I stepped away.

It didn’t happen overnight, but honoring what felt true opened the door to a more authentic path. I invite you to check in with yourself: “When did you first feel the pressure to do more, be more, without checking in with the inner knowing that we all have?”

Striving is about effort. It’s the energy of, I need to make this happen. It often comes with pressure, comparison, and a sense that we’re never quite where we need to be.

Alignment, on the other hand, is about tuning in. It’s the energy of a path that feels true. There’s still effort, but it’s rooted in clarity, not fear. It flows. Striving isn’t inherently bad, but when it’s disconnected from alignment, it can become exhausting.

Many of us were raised to believe that effort equals worth. That rest is laziness. That if you want something, you have to fight for it, even if it means ignoring your body, your intuition, your truth.

The potential problem is that we start chasing goals that aren’t even ours. We’re so busy climbing the ladder, we forget to ask if it’s leaning against the right wall.

So how do we move from striving to alignment? It doesn’t happen overnight—but through small, conscious choices, we can arrive at a life that feels fulfilling.

Start your day with intention instead of urgency. Check in with your “why” before saying yes. Create space for stillness and listening.

It is not about doing less, it’s about doing what truly matters, in a way that honors who you are.

Travel well.

If you’re a curious person or a cook, join me on my Podcast, A Taste for All Seasons.

Listen to the latest episode, One Of A Kind Organic Dining.

All episodes are on LaurieRichardone.com ~ or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Laurie Richardone is a seasonal chef, teacher of gluten-free cooking, and Wellness Coach

To work with Laurie, visit LaurieRichardone.com/contact