Everyone is on their own journey of personal development throughout their lifetime, but sometimes these journeys are placed on the back burner because of how busy people get with work, family, and other obligations. It is important to remember to engage in self care, whatever that looks like for you, on a regular basis and to make sure you are constantly growing and learning as a person, throughout your entire life. Sometimes you won’t even recognize the best life lessons as they are happening, so here’s a little reminder in the form of 5 things that will help you grow as a person.
Travel
If you get the opportunity to travel to other places in the world and see how other cultures live, you should take advantage of that. Traveling can open your mind to new experiences and teach you new things about yourself that you never would have uncovered back home. Don’t wait for your retirement years to have these valuable, life-changing experiences!
Forgiveness
Learning to forgive those who have wronged you in some way, even if they never give you the apology you feel that you need and deserve, actually does more good for you than for the person you are forgiving. Being sad or angry or hateful and probingly those feelings, holding them inside for months or years, is actually a huge burden on you. As you get older, you may become more forgiving of others simply because it takes too much of your energy not to forgive. This is a good lesson, and certainly a sign that you are experiencing some growth.
Therapy
Talking to a professional therapist is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, therapy is more popular now than ever before. If you’ve never been before, you should try it! Sometimes people have mental blockages that they don’t even know they have, and therapy can help to fix things like that.
Being Alone
Life can get so busy, and many people don’t get to spend enough time alone. If you are in a relationship or part of a family unit, you likely live with your family, meaning that they are around you all or most of the time. This can be wonderful, but it can also mean you are getting less quality time with yourself. Try to carve out small chunks of time to spend alone so that you can have time to get in touch with your thoughts and think more clearly, causing you to experience unavoidable inner growth. This way, when you do rejoin the rest of the family, you will be a better parent, lover, friend, etc.
Stay Present
Staying in the present moment is another excellent way to grow as a person. Try not to worry too much about things that have happened in the past or things that may happen in the future and focus on what is happening right now.
Growth is never easy, but part of making the most of your years on earth is to change and grow and move, not to stay the same. Use these tips and you’ll be feeling growing pains in no time.