As we take a quick break away from a travel post, I’d like to chat with you about something that’s been on my mind recently. The world has evolved into a place where mindfulness matters and feelings are important, and making sense of them all can be a trying process if it’s your first time dealing with a situation where putting yourself first is the best choice. Let’s talk today about how becoming more comfortable with yourself is actually quite an uncomfortable experience.

Learning Emotional Maturity

Years ago I thought I knew who I was. I was under the impression that I was content and happy with who I’d become, only to learn later on that it was basically just a stepping stone. Hogwash, if you will.

Related: Dealing With Change An Uncomfortable Shift In Mindset And A Lesson Learned

A stepping stone that was necessary, nonetheless. Because without that stone, or a handful of others, I’d have never had the opportunity to overcome new obstacles that put me in different, more uncomfortable mindsets. I would have become stuck, frozen in time without the hopes of future growth or understanding of who is truly the “real me.”

So today, I’d like to reflect on a few of those stones, and relay my own experience to you in hopes that you’ll find those stones as well when the universe feels you’re ready. It can be a bumpy ride sometimes, but I’d take all the bumps in the world to get to the world I live in today.

Let’s chat then.

Recognizing Emotional Maturity in Yourself and Others

When you begin to figure out the way of your own self-growth, a few lightbulbs slowly flicker on and a handful of doors open for you. Doors that may lead to more extravagant experiences, more intriguing thoughts, and even more intricate relationships. But when you feel stuck, you may think that these things just aren’t a possibility. You feel trapped.

Being aware of your own emotional maturity is no joke. It takes work, hard work. And recognizing it in yourself is the first step to becoming a better friend, spouse, and human being in general. Once you are able to see it in the mirror, it becomes easier and easier to see it in others that you love and support. Which in turn, allows you to help guide them onto the same journey for their own emotional maturity.

Related: You Don’t Have To Do It All Alone: The Road To Finding Your Accountability Partner

However, sometimes loved ones don’t know how or maybe don’t want to change. They stay stagnant in the current way they are living, because stepping outside of those bounds can be scary. I want you to know that doing so is okay. It’s okay to be afraid of the future and not know everything that’s planned out on your course through this life.

Finding yourself and knowing it’s authentic is the best feeling on the planet. It’s getting up each and every day, knowing that you are comfortable in your own skin. It’s feeling free, full, and fabulous with each choice you make, because you are confident in what you’re doing and know deep down that the path you’re on is finally the right one.

That also means knowing the difference of who makes you uneasy, not feel like yourself, or even a little bullied for feeling too free. They may put you down for not leaning into what they want, or try to sabotage a plan just because they claim you’ve changed. That’s okay, too. Don’t let it get to you, friend. We’ve got this.

When the Lightbulbs Start to Flicker On

Becoming emotionally mature is one hundred percent a strength. If you’ve never fully understood what it is, here’s a brief definition from the web:

Emotional Growth Is a Team Effort, Too

Thank you for being here.

Emotional maturity isn’t always cute — but hey, neither is growing pains. If you’re out here doing the hard stuff, I’m cheering you on big time. 💛 Keep going.