Embarking on my mental health journey, I held onto a checklist for personal growth. It encompassed my spirituality, physical health, and what I believed constituted being a good person. However, therapy exposed a much different path for me. It has revealed that meaningful growth happens when you grow in areas you previously thought were complete.
My Checklist
My initial checklist included very straightforward goals. Sleep better, drink more water, work more hours, spend meaningful time with the kids, be a better church member, organize my house top to bottom, save more and spend less, and exercise regularly. While these aspirations aren’t wrong or unworthy, they didn’t even scratch the surface of what I needed to do in order to really level up as a person.
Where I Actually Needed Growth
I went to therapy with an open mind, ready to learn and work hard, and because of that willingness therapy became the catalyst to unveiling the areas where I truly needed to grow. Here are some of the unexpected places this path led me:
- Confronting core beliefs about myself and the world with new perspectives, challenging long-held assumptions.
- Taking responsibility for my pain and healing, acknowledging that I held the power to shape my own narrative.
- Recognizing and reframing harmful thought patterns, embracing a more positive and empowering mindset.
- Realizing that choice cannot exist when guilt eliminates every path but one, breaking free from self-imposed limitations.
- Embracing freedom to choose and releasing the weight of guilt and judgment, allowing authenticity to shine through.
- Selecting whose opinions matter to me, a challenging process that required discernment and self-love.
- Rejecting beliefs that don’t resonate with me, recognizing that personal growth involves aligning with my true values.
How To Find Areas You Need Personal Growth
Analyzing areas of our lives that appear to be ‘complete’ can lead to transformative breakthroughs. Therapy, with its guidance and support, plays a pivotal role in the journey of self-discovery and identifying areas for personal growth. A skilled therapist provides a safe and non-judgmental space for exploration, helping to unearth deep-seated beliefs, patterns, and emotions that may have been hidden or overlooked. Through the therapeutic process, one can gain valuable insights, challenge limiting beliefs, and develop effective strategies for self-improvement, facilitating profound personal growth.
To embark on your own journey of self-discovery and personal growth, it’s important to take time for introspection. Engage in practices such as journaling, meditation, or seeking the guidance of a therapist or mentor. Reflect on your beliefs, values, and patterns of behavior. Ask yourself tough questions and be open to challenging your assumptions. By observing the areas of your life that may feel stagnant or unfulfilled, you can begin to identify areas where personal growth is needed.
Consider seeking feedback from trusted individuals who can offer a fresh perspective on your journey of personal growth. While their insights can be valuable, ultimately, you are the one who gets to make decisions about your life and your growth.
Embracing personal growth can be both exciting and demanding. It requires letting go of what no longer serves us—relationships, beliefs, thought patterns, and outdated versions of ourselves. Although the process may be accompanied by growing pains, it paves the way for a renewed sense of self and invites peace and happiness into our lives.
