For me, I add one other word, which is thrive. I always think of surviving as a middle thing. I'm not thriving but I'm doing more than existing.

For me, existing means just being, not really able to do anything but I am in fact alive. Thriving to me means I have gone past all the "stuff" and I'm much better than existing.

But, I too have trouble with the word survivor because to me it means that I am done with everything pertaining to survival and I'm not there. I am surviving, and I'm trying to thrive, but I have not become a survivor...to today's stuff.

Perhaps I am both because I did survive some stuff and that stuff is past. I survived that. I did more than exist because I did fight to live through it. But I'm not yet a survivor of my present circumstances, but I'm doing more than existing because I do get up every morning, I do what needs to get done, when it needs to get done.

Okay, that is actually more confusing than helpful. Thank you for this thread Candy. It really makes one think.