Personal Development

Most of Us Have ‘Grown Older’ But Not ‘Grown Up’

10 Profound Ways To Overcome Growing Up’s Problem

Most of us have ‘Grown Older’ but not ‘Grown Up’, the words passed through my ears recently at the café from someone sitting next to me.

In this journey of life, there’re countless sunrises and sunsets, many ups and downs, several challenges, numerous twists and turns. And unless we open our arms and embrace these challenges, ups & downs, twists and turns, good and bad, we are holding us back from ‘Growing Up’.

With age comes maturity but with experience, comes wisdom. And this wisdom is the most necessary ingredient of ‘Growing Up’.

“Do I prefer to grow up and relate to life directly, or do I choose to live and die in fear?”~ Pema Chödron

‘Growing Old’ is an easy and inescapable process but ‘Growing Up’ is full of errors, excruciating yet enlightening & an optional process.

Growing Up - Profound Truths

Since ‘Growing Up’ is an optional process, what nobody tells you, when you’re growing up, are all those hidden sharp layers of preconceived ideas, beliefs, and concepts trying to clip your wings when you wish to fly high, those little things which pull you down when you are about to stand up on your own feet.

However, in this journey, you’re not alone. ‘Grow Up’ gracefully and know that:

1. Your Dreams Are Only Your Dreams: The truth is that at the end of the day, your dreams are ONLY yours.

People, crossing the paths in your life, may support you in your quest, might take some interest but they will never care about your dreams as much as you do. Hence, go forth and do all you can make your dreams come true.

2. It’s Your Road And Yours’s Alone: The truth is that it’s yours and only your journey.

People may walk with you but they can’t walk for you. while walking alone may sound scary at times, but, on this road, you’re never alone. That power, who brought us here, will very much take care of you. So don’t be afraid to walk alone.

3. Change Is Inevitable: The truth is that no matter what, change is inevitable whether we’re ready or not, whether we like it or not.

One of the profound secrets of living peacefully is to embrace the change and to not fight or go against. Just flow with it and put all your focus on building the new. Change means we are alive and moving forward gracefully.

4. Failure Is A Delay And Not A ‘Complete Defeat’: The truth is that at some point, everyone fails in life.

To achieve something great, failure is important and act as a foundation. Every time you fail at something, you gain something. Your failure is not your complete defeat but a victory over something you gained. It’s your failures which will give you a fresh perspective of life.

It hurts when you are wading through your failure but it’s an important part of the journey we call ‘life’. In fact, at times, the pain may run so deep that you question your very existence. But that doesn’t mean it’s an end and you should feel defeated. Believe me, I have been there many times and I have always seen the bright light at the end.

5. Don’t Be Afraid Of Starting Over Again: The truth is that in life, everyone falls.

But the greatest glory is in rising every time you fall. This is what ‘Resilience’ is and all successful people know this. They all have the same quality of getting back up again and again after falling ‘nth’ times.

The Japanese proverb ‘Nana korobi Yao ki’, means ‘Fall Down Seven Times, Get Up Eight Time’ that reminds us to rise every time you fall.

6. Solitude Is A ‘Powerful Tool’: The truth is that at some point in life, you will be left completely alone.

Solitude is the richness of self and can help breathe new life. Go and invest (not spend) some time alone with yourself. Purely alone without any distraction. If possible, decide a day in a week or a month and call it solitude day. You will be amazed to see and feel the wonders of solitude.

Read my story on solitude here:

7. Keep Your Inner Child Alive: The truth is that we’re told to behave like an adult and forget our pure childlike consciousness.

Let me ask you. When was the last time you danced like no one is watching? When was the last time you enjoyed the rain? When was the last time you smelled the flower? When was the last time you laughed uncontrollably?

Keep Your Inner Child Alive. Hence, go forth and be curious, be free from all judgements, be creative, be playful.

8. Live Purely In The Moment: The truth is that it’s so vital to living in the present moment.

Mindfulness, the other term for this, teaches us the benefits of living in the moment. Don’t get caught up in thinking about your past or future but try to practice mindfulness. Don’t let the present moment slip away. Remember that mindfulness not only helps you to fight anxiety but cut down your worrying, keeps you grounded and connected to yourself.

9. Rid Yourself With 4Cs - Criticize, Compete, Compare and Complain: The truth is that no matter what, you will be always criticized & compared.

The moment you step into these 4Cs, you are making yourself a victim of circumstance. Replace Criticize, Compete, Compare and Complain with Compassion, Clam, Clarity and Choice, to lead a happy and healthy life.

10. You Are Here To Thrive, Not To Survive: The truth is that you will always hear, form almost everyone, that you are born to survive. No!

You are here to thrive that too with all your compassion, your strengths, your passion, your purpose, and all that it takes live gracefully.

At the end of the day, it’s you and your choices. Nothing else will matter. So go for it! Go out there, take the risk, and live a magnificent life full of beauty and wonders.

“True happiness comes from gaining insight and growing into your best possible self … pleasure, which is fleeting and doesn’t grow you as a person.” ~ Aristotle

Remember, the canvas of life is in front of you, you are the artist holding the brush in your hands. Plunder your hidden treasures! Bring out your Masterpiece!