The process of personal development can feel neurotic. We crave so badly to change, to be happy, to be free. We look for short-term solutions to get us there right now, damn it. The desperation is short-sighted and looks for validation that everything will be alright. It is desperation not to feel emptiness, apathy, stress — all of these uncomfortable feelings pervasive today that loom large.
I am intimately familiar with such neuroses. There have been periods when I swan dived into a rabbit hole of blogs, books, videos-you name it-to figure out the key to what would make me happy, or at least content. The high peaks and low valleys are real. One second I was getting excited and fired up, only to be frustrated and disillusioned the next when I couldn’t figure out my passion or purpose.
In these moments, we can find grounding in remembering that it’s a process. There are many steps on the path to finding your version of happiness-meaning-freedom — whatever it looks like. Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words reassure us that exploring personal growth and freedom is one of the most challenging journeys we take in life.
“Liberty is slow fruit. It is never cheap; it is made difficult because freedom is the accomplishment and perfectness of man.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ask Questions for Personal Development
Just by asking the questions and seeking knowledge, you are on the path. It may be a mosey or a run, but it is still moving towards a version of you and your life that hopefully will resonate and bring peace. At whatever place in the journey you’re at, it is perfect, and you’re in good company.
There are so many resources out there on finding your happiness, going after your passion, or getting free that it can be overwhelming. Some are downright anxiety igniting. There is a handful of content that I’ve found so far that feels has resonated with me, which I’ll link below.
“Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.”
-Steven Covey
To you fellow personal development self-explorers out there, I see you. We’ll do this thing called life one step at a time!
Resources
- Darius Foroux, What it Takes to be Free
- Preetha ji, How to end stress, unhappiness and anxiety to live in a beautiful state
- Gary Vee, Why Everything Is Scary Until You Do It
- Amy McLaughlin-Margolis, Self-Improvement & Your Critter Brain That Gets in the Way
- Jack Kornfield, After the Ecstasy, The Laundry
Let me know in the comments if you’ve had any similar days in your personal development journey.