How to Pursue Growth in your Life; Nurturing Your Personal Growth Journey

Sarah McKay
Apr 26, 2022
3 min read

When I hear the word growth, I immediately think of nurture. My experience has been different in the past, but as I have gotten older (and hopefully wiser!) I have learned that growth can take many forms, and the most important part is recognizing when it is taking place and nurturing it as it happens. Today, I want to share with you how I nurture growth and how you can pursue growth in your life.

Personal growth is different for everyone.

What Does Growth Really Look Like?

In my experience, growth can occur when I step outside my comfort zone to accomplish a goal and learn from the experience, but it can also be as 'seemingly' small as saying "no" to something that wasn't going to serve me well.

Growth isn't always about big, dramatic changes or accomplishments that everyone can see. Sometimes, it's those quiet moments of self-awareness that lead to the biggest transformations. Like that time I finally recognized a pattern in my relationships that wasn't working for me – acknowledging it was uncomfortable, but it changed everything moving forward.

It is also important to identify what your own idea of growth is and not compare yourself to others. It is easy to get caught up in the idea of trying to keep up. However, as long as you stay true to yourself, listen to your gut feeling, and trust your own process, I am confident that you can grow.

The Messy Middle of Growth

Can I be honest with you for a minute? Growth is rarely a straight line. Some days you'll feel like you're absolutely crushing it, and other days you might wonder if you've gone backward. That's normal!

Just last month, I thought I had finally mastered a better morning routine, only to find myself hitting snooze and rushing around in a panic three days later. The old me would have seen this as failure, but now I recognize it as part of the process. Two steps forward, one step back is still moving forward!

Embracing the Discomfort

Here's something nobody tells you enough: growth is supposed to feel uncomfortable. If everything feels easy and comfortable all the time, chances are you're not really growing – you're just hanging out in your comfort zone. That flutter in your stomach when you try something new? That's your personal growth calling!

How to Pursue Growth in Your Life

Make a list of ways that you want to grow, career-wise, personally, in relationships, your self-care, whatever it may be – write it down. By doing so, you will hold yourself accountable to stay on top of your own growth journey, no matter how big or small, and keep pushing without listening to the noise around you. I keep a little notebook by my bed where I jot down areas I want to focus on. Some goals are concrete ("learn basic Spanish by December") while others are more abstract ("become more patient with myself"). Having them written down helps me check in with myself regularly.

The Ripple Effect of Personal Growth

What I've noticed in my own journey is that when I focus on my growth, it positively impacts everyone around me. When I'm more patient with myself, I'm more patient with others. When I honor my needs, I have more energy to support the people I care about. Your growth isn't just for you – though that would be reason enough! It creates a ripple effect that touches everyone in your life.

Nurturing Your Growth

And don't forget to nurture your growth! Celebrate the small wins. Be gentle with yourself when you stumble. Growth isn't about perfection – it's about progress. I'd love to hear about your own growth journey! What area of your life are you focusing on right now? What small step could you take today to move forward?

Until next time!