Jelena Dincic
I believe that there’s always something to learn and that we can develop and grow as people as long as we’re alive.
But sometimes we get stuck and stop growing.
If that sounds like you, then you’ve come to the right place because I’m here to wake you up and show you the signs that your life needs a big shake-up.
Let’s not waste any more time and jump right in!
1) Stuck in a routine rut
Ever feel like you’re in the movie Groundhog Day? Like you wake up and relive the same day over and over again?
That’s because you’re stuck in the same daily routine.
Nothing changes. There’s nothing new, no variation, no excitement!
And so long as you’re stuck, you can’t grow because growth means change. That’s why you need to shake things up.
Meet new people, find a new hobby, learn a new language, take up a sport, change jobs… do whatever feels right for you.
The important thing is to make a change that will enable you to move forward.
Got it?
2) You’re not passionate about anything
Maybe you used to have a lot of things you cared about deeply and that excited you, but those days are long gone.
You seem to have lost interest in most things and you’ve stopped pursuing your passions.
So what happened there?
Did you get tired or disappointed?
Whatever it is, if you want to live your best life, if you want to be able to grow, you need to find something that you care about.
Whether it’s saving animals, starting a family, traveling, or advancing your career, once you have something you’re passionate about, you’ll be able to have something to work toward.
That brings me to my next point…
3) You have no goals
If you’re wandering around life aimlessly, it only makes sense that you would have a hard time growing.
Like a flower that grows toward the light, you too need a direction to grow in.
So, I suggest setting some time aside to think about what is most important to you in life and what you’d like to do while you’re on this earth. There must be something, don’t be shy.
Life is short and it’s a shame to waste it being too scared to try stuff. It’s better to go out there and fail than to sit at home too afraid and full of regret.
Wouldn’t you agree?
4) You’re scared of change
I can totally relate.
I still struggle with change, even when it comes to little things like going on holiday. I’m serious!
For months I was looking forward to getting away from the city and spending some time in the mountains, but when the time came to get away, I started to panic.
What if … And then my mind spun out of control with all the possible things that could go wrong.
As I was packing I thought, “I should just stay home where it’s familiar and safe.” Luckily I didn’t and I went on holiday with my husband and dogs and had some wonderful experiences.
If you want to grow, you need to stop resisting change.
5) Negative self-talk
Well here’s something else I can relate to.
Self-criticism and doubting my abilities have gotten in my way of progress and growth more than once.
I was so scared of failure that I kept telling myself, “You’ll make a fool out of yourself” or “You can’t possibly do that”.
But guess what, the times that I powered through the negative self-talk and fought back with positive affirmations like, “You’ve got this. You can do it!” marked my life in the best way.
You can start small but don’t be too scared to try new things.
Life is too short to play it safe all the time.
6) Avoiding challenges
Speaking of playing it safe…
If you keep taking the easy way out and avoiding challenges, then how will you learn?
Growth requires making an effort and isn’t always going to be easy. Sometimes you’ll make mistakes, fail, or get hurt, but trust me, in the long run, it’s worth it.
What I’m trying to say is:
- Go on and ask that special someone out.
- Show your photography portfolio to a gallery.
- Apply for that year abroad.
7) You’ve isolated yourself
Look, we all know about being isolated, we’ve all been through the pandemic, and we know what it’s like to withdraw from social interactions and just stay home reading a book or watching Netflix.
But it’s safe to go out again.
So if you find yourself still isolated, it’s time to make a change. Reconnect with your old friends and make new ones.
Put yourself out there and open yourself to meaningful relationships because interactions with other people are essential to the growth of a person.
And don’t tell me, “I’m an introvert” because I’m one too and yet I still need other people.
8) Procrastination
Man, procrastination is the worst!
I’m certainly no stranger to procrastination. I keep putting things off that are difficult or boring.
The problem is that sometimes procrastination gets in the way of progress and growth.
For example, if you’re stuck in a loveless relationship, just going through the motions while you’re dreaming of your true love, you need to stop telling yourself, “We’ll have the talk another time.” or “It’s not a good time to break up.”
You could end up stuck for months or years waiting for the right time, but there’s no time like the present. Just pull the band-aid off!
9) Time-wasting habits
I don’t think we’ve ever had as much choice when it comes to unproductive and time-wasting activities
Think about it – from mindless scrolling on social media to switching channels or spending hours on end playing video games, there are plenty of ways to waste time.
These may seem like innocent habits but if you’re not careful, they’ll eat up a good chunk of your time.
And the result?
You will have wasted time that could have been spent on something worthwhile, something to help you grow as a person.
10) Unfulfilling relationships
The truth is that who you spend your time with and what kind of relationships you have, determines how you live your life.
So if your relationships are toxic or unfulfilling, there’s a big chance that they’ll get in the way of your growth.
It’s actually pretty simple, if you don’t like spending time with someone or they make you feel bad about yourself or life in general, you need to end those relationships.
Instead, surround yourself with positive people who motivate, support, and encourage you.
Do this and you’ll finally be able to grow as a person.
