I used to think that becoming my dream person would happen naturally over time. But the truth is, growth doesn’t happen when you wish and wait. To grow, you need to actively participate in your own transformation, commit to bettering yourself, and have patience. The choices you make every day lead you to the person you want to become. So pursue what really matters to you, and understand that “becoming” never ends. My personal journey has taught me that growth, freedom, and becoming are deeply connected.
Being honest with yourself about who you are is daunting. As you ask yourself questions about who you want to become, you’ll also have to face the habits, beliefs, and fears that may hold you back. This is called “shadow work,” and it isn’t comfortable. But stay compassionate towards yourself — healing can’t happen when you look down on yourself or seek perfection. When you keep an open mind and stay gentle with yourself, shadow work will allow you to become more self-aware so that you can grow from your old habits and belief systems.
Becoming who you truly want to be starts with cultivating helpful habits. Adopting a healthier diet and starting an exercise routine will remind you that you’re worth caring for. And your mental health matters too. Talking through your feelings with a professional, meditating, and taking medications if you need to will change your inner world for the better. Additionally, engaging in conversation more often will boost your social skills, starting an artistic hobby can grow your creativity, and reading regularly can enhance your knowledge of important topics. When you regularly reflect on your journey, you’ll think of more helpful habits to add to your routine. Every small habit will help you grow.
The more you grow, the more confident you’ll become. You’ll have a deeper knowledge of yourself that will provide you with the freedom to unapologetically be who you are. You’ll no longer feel the need to fit others’ expectations of who you “should” be because you’ll know that your authentic self isn’t worth suppressing. When you heal and form habits that align with your true self, you’ll feel the magic of unconditional self-love.
The journey of becoming who you truly want to be is ongoing, but that’s a good thing. Think about who you were five years ago and how many life lessons you’ve learned since then. Similarly, future life stages will bring experiences that’ll force you to meet new parts of yourself. You’ll acquire new strengths, passions, and perspectives. This evolution may sound scary, but the possibility of a better future self is exciting too
The person you dream of becoming won’t magically wake up one day. Instead, you’ll gradually build yourself up to become the person of your dreams. Every healthy habit, difficult conversation, moment of self-reflection, and daunting challenge is just another step towards becoming the person you’ve always envisioned being. Your best self is still unfolding, and with hard work, you’ll finally meet them someday.
Featured Photo by gaspar zaldo on Unsplash.
