Mental Inventory

The signs of aging are hard to miss. Whether it’s a streak of gray or deepening lines on our faces, we often see them as signs we’re getting older. But as we age physically, we also mature mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. This kind of growth is known as personal development. I want to share some signs that you’re growing in ways you might not see in the mirror.

You Are Less Reactive

When you develop emotional maturity, you are responsive and less reactive. You still experience emotions. However, you don’t allow them to control your behavior. Instead, you recognize how you feel and respond in a healthy way. For example, an emotion like anger leads you to set a boundary rather than lash out. You also become more comfortable with your feelings because you don’t judge them. You recognize that emotions are simply signals that require your attention.

You Have a Strong Sense of Self

A confident person knows themselves well. You do not define who you are according to the opinions of others. You have an identity outside of what you do, what you own, or who you know. Your identity is defined by who you choose to be. You take actions that align with your beliefs, values, and aspirations. You set goals not to prove your worth but to reach your potential. You recognize your worth is innate and not something you earn.

You Trust Your Intuition

Another sign of maturity is your ability to trust your judgment. If someone or something feels off, you don’t second guess it. You recognize that your intuition is right and follow it. You don’t compromise your beliefs or values because someone doesn’t agree with them. You follow your dreams despite what others say. You also know when to let go because you can sense that something better is coming.

You’re More Intentional with Your Time and Energy

As you mature, you begin to recognize the value of time. You no longer waste it on things that don’t matter to you and become more selective about who you share it with. You understand that being intentional in your relationships allows you to invest in the right people. You are great at prioritizing your needs because you recognize how important self-care is. You invest in improving both your mental and physical health, knowing that they’re equally important to your overall well-being.

Final Thoughts

Maturity isn’t just something you recognize when you look in the mirror. It’s evident in the way you show up. You know you are maturing when you are less reactive, have a solid identity, trust yourself, and are intentional with your time and energy. While getting older comes with physical changes, there are internal changes as well. Reflecting on these changes allows you to discover the inner beauty of growing older.

What would you say if I asked you what you want more of in your life? Whether it’s money, love, or success, making room in your life for the things you desire is important. That means staying focused on what you want and taking actions that align with it. We all may want more, but are we ready for it? It isn’t enough to want it. There has to be some intentionality behind making our dreams a reality.

Inspiration vs. Imitation

When you think about what you want, why do you want it? Some people believe that reaching a particular goal will make them happier. But what if what you want is based on someone else’s happiness, not your own? For example, you might see how happy your friend is after buying their dream home and think that if you buy yours, you’ll feel the same way. But this is an expectation based on someone else’s standards, rather than your heart’s desires. On the other hand, if you’ve always wanted to own a home and your friend’s dream home inspires you, that’s a completely different story.

It is essential to consider the intention behind our desires. Is this desire based on our values or an expectation? True happiness comes from knowing who we are and living a life that reflects our authenticity. What makes your friend happy might not be the same thing that makes you happy. The reason is because happiness is internal, not external. You don’t become happier by having what someone else has. You become happier by knowing what you want and working to get it.

Inner Happiness

Social media has allowed us to curate a life we want others to see. If we want people to see how in love we are, we might share cute photos of our significant other. While there’s nothing wrong with sharing happy moments, some might believe these highlight reels are all it takes to be happy. That’s why it’s important not to get distracted by what we see online, and instead trust that the happiness we seek comes from within. It’s not about living by social media standards but through our core values.

When considering what to make space for, reflect on your core values. Your values are the compass for fulfilling your desires and achieving happiness. They are unique to you and reflect who you are. Once you know what you want, think about the actions you can take to achieve it. Don’t allow other people’s dreams to distract you from your own. Instead, let their dreams remind you of what’s possible for you.

Final Takeaway

Take a moment to think about what you want to make space for in your life. Now, consider the intention behind that desire. If we want to create a life that makes us happier, it requires being clear about our core values. Once we know our values, we can take actions that align with our desire. By doing this, we create space for more happiness.

We all have many thoughts throughout the day but some thoughts replay like a broken record. We might focus on things we can’t control, things we don’t like, or things we don’t have. While it’s natural to think about these things, don’t focus on them. Instead, we can be aware of all our thoughts but focus on the ones that are more helpful. Shifting to more helpful thoughts empowers us to change what is in our control.

Negativity Bias

Our brains are wired for survival, which is why we often focus on negative thoughts. This tendency, known as the negativity bias, helped our ancestors stay alert to threats. If you find yourself dwelling on negative experiences or bad news, it’s your brain trying to keep you safe. While this is normal, focusing on the negative thoughts isn’t helpful. Instead, we can shift our focus to thoughts that encourage action and growth. This mindset helps us develop an internal locus of control, which is the belief that we have the power to change our circumstances.

Focus on Helpful Thoughts

Which thought is more helpful: I shouldn’t make mistakes, or I can learn from my mistakes? The second one is more helpful because the first one is judgmental and unrealistic. The second one is more balanced and creates an opportunity for growth. We will make mistakes, but that doesn’t define who we are. We are capable of learning new things and growing as a person. Don’t allow where you are to prevent you from where you want to be.

Challenge Your Beliefs

Let’s try another one. Asking for help makes me look inadequate. I’ll admit I have been guilty of thinking this way. But I’ve realized that it’s actually an opportunity to learn something new. When I don’t know how to do something, asking for help allows me to learn how to do it. The smartest people aren’t just the ones who know everything, but they are the ones who remain curious. What if we saw asking for help as a way to be more curious? If we viewed asking for help as a way to stay curious, we might be more likely to learn new things.

Practice Self-Compassion

Despite what many believe, being hard on yourself does not help you grow or create the life you want. If you use the word “should” a lot, I want to encourage you to practice self-compassion. I want to be clear that self-compassion is not toxic positivity. Toxic positivity is the belief that we should only focus on the positive. However, self-compassion creates space for our strengths and imperfections. A great example of self-compassion is the belief that “I am doing my best.” Regardless of what you might believe you should be doing better, you are doing your best.

Monitor Your Thoughts

What you think affects how you feel. How you feel affects how you behave. How you behave impacts your life. When you think about your life, how much of it do you contribute to the way you think? While there are things we can’t control, there are things we can control. Sometimes, the change we want to see externally requires a shift internally. When you have thoughts, it can be helpful to consider whether they are moving you forward or holding you back.

How is focusing on what you can’t control holding you back? How can focusing on what you can control move you forward? These questions allow you to see which thoughts are helpful and unhelpful. We don’t ignore things we can’t control. We accept things we can’t control. We focus on what we can control because it gives us the power to influence our circumstances. If you don’t like your current circumstances, consider your role in changing them.

Final Thoughts

I’ll admit I wrote this post for myself because sometimes I tend to focus on things I can’t control. But, I am learning to have a more internal locus of control. I believe I can influence my circumstances, and I hope you know you can as well. It isn’t so much about not having negative thoughts and only positive thoughts. It’s about accepting all your thoughts but focusing on helpful ones. The helpful ones will empower you to take action to create the life you want.

We all have secrets—things we keep to ourselves or only share with a select few. Sometimes, we hide these secrets because we feel ashamed of something we did or said. The painful part is that these secrets can make us believe that there’s something inherently wrong with us. But the truth is, our shame often prevents us from embracing the full complexity of who we are. It’s in accepting all parts of ourselves that we begin to heal.

Shame Doesn’t Define You

The lie that shame tells us is that who we are is wrong rather than that what we did is wrong. There is a distinction between these two ideas. One defines you as a person, while the other focuses on your actions. You can change your behavior. Instead of being defined by what you did, get curious about why you acted the way you did. Allow yourself to be complex. For instance, you could have said something hurtful during an argument, and now you are judging yourself. Instead, take accountability for what you did, apologize, and choose to do better next time.

Embrace Imperfection

While one moment can be defining, it doesn’t determine who you are. You are more than your past mistakes. In life, you will make mistakes because you are not perfect. These mistakes are part of being human and do not define your worth. Shame may make you believe that your mistakes make you defective or inadequate, but remember, imperfections are a natural part of who you are—they do not make you less worthy.

Be Vulnerable

You might think hiding who you are keeps you safe. While that can be true to some extent, it can also prevent people from fully knowing who you are. What if you knew people would accept the parts of you that you’re ashamed of? The freedom to be yourself and to be loved just as you are is healing. It doesn’t have to start with a big secret. It can start with more openness and vulnerability about who you are.

Final Thoughts

Shame is not an easy emotion to deal with. However, it is something we experience at some point in life. You are not alone in this experience. I want you to know that shame doesn’t define you. Nothing is wrong with you. Allow yourself to be imperfect because that’s part of being human. Remember, you are always worthy.

There is one lesson that stands as the biggest thing I’ve learned. Learning that my worth is innate shifted how I view and feel about who I am. This realization has changed how I approach challenges, relationships, and opportunities. I am grateful to have learned this lesson and happy to share it with you. Now, I want to know what your biggest life lesson is.

My Worthy is Innate

I want to share this lesson with you because it can transform your life. The belief that my worth is innate wasn’t something I learned overnight. There was a time when I believed my worth had to be earned—through how I looked, what I could do, and who others expected me to be. With time, I learned that my worth is not dependent on external factors. It’s not something I have to earn; it’s already within me, awaiting discovery.

I Am Enough

I’ve realized my worth is inherent, not something I need to earn. My worth is defined by me, not by my successes or failures. I am worthy, regardless of what I can or cannot do. I also know that another person doesn’t determine my worth. If someone doesn’t like me, it doesn’t make me any less worthy. If someone can’t accept me, it doesn’t affect my self-worth. Who I am is enough for the right people.

I Am Already Valuable

Believing that my worth is innate is empowering because it makes me feel deserving of the life I want. I’m grateful that I recognized my worth before fulfilling my desires. If I had gotten what I wanted before understanding that my worth is inherent, I would have believed those things validated my value. While fulfilling my desires adds value to my life, it doesn’t add value to me, because I am already valuable. I realize that making my dreams a reality isn’t confirmation that I am enough. The only confirmation I need is already within me.

Final Takeaways

When you reflect on your biggest life lessons, I hope the lesson I shared will be one of many. Your worth isn’t something you need to earn; it’s something you realize. I hope you can discover your inherent worth. Now that I’ve shared my lesson, I hope you’ll feel inspired to share yours.

We all have goals in life, but how far ahead do you think about them? Do you know where you want to be one year from now? What about five years from now? While we can’t predict the future, we can plan for it. Imagine who you want to be, how you want to feel, and where you want to be five years from now. Once you have those answers, you’ll have a clear vision for your future.

The last time I wrote down long-term goals was in college. I didn’t enjoy thinking that far ahead. Whenever I did, I could only think of a few goals. Maybe you’re like me and don’t have a lot of goals either. But the number of goals doesn’t matter—it’s more about having a sense of what you want for the future. When you think about setting goals, consider what you want financially, personally, and professionally.

Who Do You Want to Be?

This question isn’t about changing who you are but growing into who you are. Like a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, think about the person you want to evolve into. The path to becoming your best version is transformative, but it can be uncomfortable. It’s not a quick process, so be patient with yourself. As long as you are making progress, that is all that matters.

How Do You Want to Feel?

While many people associate happiness with positive emotions, it’s just one of many. If you want excitement, you might need to step outside your comfort zone and try new things. Or perhaps peace is what you’re after, which might involve finding quiet moments throughout your day. Take time to reflect on all the emotions you want to experience and set goals that align with them. By doing this, you can start creating a life you feel good about.

Where Do You Want to Be?

You can answer this question from a professional, financial, or personal place. You might want to be married with kids. You might want to move to another state. You might want to get promoted at work. Or you might want to make more money. Depending on what stage you are at in life, where you want to be can change. Reflecting on where you want to be can serve as a roadmap to the life you want.

Final Thoughts

The next time you think about your goals, I want you to think long-term. Consider who you want to be, how you want to feel, and where you want to be five years from now. By reflecting on these goals, you can create a vision for your future. This vision will lead you toward creating the life you desire.