How Long Are You Going to Wait Before You Demand the Best for Yourself?" – Epictetus

There’s a quote I return to often. Not just in moments of uncertainty or transition, but in the everyday choices that shape how I live and lead:

“How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself?”

It’s from the Stoic philosopher Epictetus, and it always stops me in my tracks. Not because it’s loud, but because it’s true. It doesn’t scold, it hold's up a mirror.

It invites me to pause and reflect. Not on what I’m doing, but on what I might be postponing. On where I’m still playing small. On the quiet ways I might be holding back, even when I know better.

The Quiet Ways We Wait

The truth is, many of us are waiting. But we don’t always realize it.

We wait in subtle ways, by putting off decisions, by second-guessing our instincts, by telling ourselves “someday.” We tell ourselves we’ll get to it when the timing is better. When we feel more confident. When we have more energy, more money, more certainty, more something.

But here’s the hard part to admit: waiting often becomes a way of hiding. A way of avoiding the discomfort that comes with stepping into our full potential. And that’s human. You’re not broken or lazy for feeling that resistance. Change brings up fear. Stretching ourselves can feel risky. But what’s the cost of staying small?

What would your life look like if you stopped waiting?

Demanding More Doesn’t Mean Being Hard on Yourself

Let’s be clear. This isn’t about hustle or perfection. It’s not about pushing harder, doing more, or being “better.” It’s about care. Self-respect. Alignment.

Demanding the best for yourself means asking:

What would it look like to live a life that feels true?

Not perfect. Not always easy. But real. Grounded. Nourishing.

It means:

• Setting boundaries that honour your energy

• Choosing relationships that feel safe and reciprocal

• Saying no without guilt

• Saying yes to what lights you up, even if it scares you a little

• Investing in your growth, not just reacting to what life throws at you

It’s not about having it all figured out. It’s about deciding you’re worth showing up for.

Sometimes the Hardest Part Is Giving Yourself Permission

You may have been told, directly or indirectly, that you’re too much or not enough. You may have internalized the belief that wanting more is selfish or unrealistic. That your needs come second. That your dreams should stay quiet. But those messages are not the truth. They’re just old programming.

And maybe it’s time to update it.

You are allowed to want more peace. More purpose. More connection. You’re allowed to want to grow, even if things look “fine” on the outside.

There’s nothing wrong with you for wanting a fuller, more meaningful life. In fact, there’s something deeply right about it.

So… What Are You Still Waiting For?

You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. But what if today, right now, you made one small decision to honour yourself?

What if you stopped postponing the life you keep imagining?

Here’s what I know. No one else can demand better for you. That permission has to come from within. But once you give it, everything starts to shift.

A Gentle Invitation

If something in this speaks to you, if there’s a quiet part of you whispering, “I want more than this”, don’t ignore it. That whisper is wisdom. It’s the part of you that remembers who you are and what you’re capable of.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. You can turn to a trusted friend, family member, mentor, or a coach.

You deserve more than a life of quiet compromise. You deserve a life that feels like yours.

With love and support,

Cathryn Benjamin-Brodt

Mindset & Life Coach | Yoga Teacher | Wellness Advocate

Helping you come home to yourself—one breath, one belief, one breakthrough at a time.

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