We all go through things, but how often do we grow through things?

Consider it —  when was the last time a situation shaped or changed your life, but left you feeling just the same? Oftentimes, this happens in negative situations and we come out feeling worse. Instead of taking the opportunity to learn from what happened, we get down on ourselves and rehash the issue over and over again. When we constantly reflect on events that have already passed, we must do so knowing that there is nothing that can change what has happened. Rather than hoping and praying for a different outcome, look at it as a lesson. What knowledge or experience did I gain from this? What did I learn about myself? How can I use this to push myself forward?

Trust me, this is much easier said than done. There are still times when things happen and I get upset that things didn’t go the way I’d hoped. But I try to move forward because if I don’t, I’m regressing. When I regress, I wallow and it becomes a really unfortunate pity party that isn’t benefitting me or anyone else. Sometimes, it’s okay to take a few days to feel down about something and process it. What’s important is that you don’t let it consume you. If you become consumed by your feelings, you’re more susceptible to ending up in a similar situation with the same results as an outcome.

When you grow through situations, it’s interesting to look back and see how things have changed. Your energy and approach to experiences may be different, but what’s most rewarding is knowing that you made it through. Some of the largest situations that I’ve grown through have been ones that I thought would completely take over my mindset and leave me depressed and unable to cope. Eventually, I had to start taking a chance on myself and being my own source of encouragement to move on because I knew that I needed to treat myself better.

Don’t view mishaps, failures, or bumps in the roads as a dead end, but rather the scenic route to the big picture in your life. Take a chance on yourself. Be your own biggest supporter. Even in your weakest moments, aim to lift yourself up because you’re living this life for you.