Nadine J Walters – My Life

Question to myself: What are the five “Vs” and why would anyone want to know?

Answer: The five “Vs” are Validation, Venting, Values, Vitals, and Vision. Why would anyone want to know? Honestly… no clue. I just needed a blog topic, opened up my Notes app, and there it was—just a lonely little list with zero context. So here I am trying to figure it out.

I first heard about the Vs on a podcast. Some psychologist-slash-wellness-expert introduced them as a way to help you get through the day. That’s how I remember it anyway. The funny thing? They actually make sense. Just a handful of basic behaviors to remind you that you’re not floating through life all alone.

I’ve long suspected that “normal,” “satisfied,” and “happy” aren’t actually the default settings for most people. I mean, how else do you explain the bazillion self-help books out there? And why do you need more than one? If Book #1 had worked, wouldn’t you already be fixed, fabulous, and off living your best life?

But I digress. Let’s get back to the five Vs. Here’s my take on each one, and why you might want to make them part of your day—most days, anyway.

Validation. Start by giving yourself a little high-five in the mirror. It doesn’t have to be dramatic. Just look yourself in the eye and say something like, “Hi Nadine, glad you’re here. Hope today treats you kindly. Let’s go do some stuff we like.” It’s simple, but powerful. Think of it as a daily check-in with your number-one person: you.

Venting. Yes, you’re allowed to complain. It’s human. Life throws curveballs—and sometimes dodgeballs—so a little venting is perfectly normal. The key is doing it thoughtfully. Remember The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz? Things like “be impeccable with your word” and “don’t take things personally” come in handy here. Vent to the right person (or just to your steering wheel), and aim your frustration at the problem, not a person. I personally like to imagine the tailgater behind me is rushing to save a kitten. It helps.

Values. This one’s big. Values are the compass that keeps you heading in the right direction—even if the GPS goes rogue. Sadly, they seem to be in short supply among certain leaders (you know who you are). But for the rest of us, it’s as simple as remembering the stuff they taught in kindergarten: be nice, share your toys, and play fair. The world would be a much better place if we just stuck with that.

Vitals = health. Are you eating food that didn’t come through a drive-through window? Moving your body occasionally? Sleeping like a reasonably functional adult? Chatting with other humans? These things matter. A weekly self-check (or daily, if you’re feeling ambitious) helps keep both your body and brain from falling into a pit of “meh.”

Vision. Where are you going? What do you want? No, seriously—what do you want? Having a vision gives you a sense of purpose, a direction, a reason to keep waking up and trying. It can be big (move to Paris!) or small (finally clean the closet!), but it helps to write it down or at least daydream about it with intention. Life unravels when we stop aiming at something—even if the bullseye keeps moving.

So there you have it—my version of the 5 Vs. You might not have asked for them, but hey, now you know. And honestly? Writing this helped me remember some things I needed to hear too.

Your turn: What are your five Vs?