Growth Doesn't Always Mean Bigger, Better, Faster

At the end of this week, we’ll officially be halfway through 2017. Crazy, right? My hope going into this year was that I’d experience some level of growth, both professionally and personally. What I didn’t realize, however, was that the definition of growth doesn’t always mean bigger, better, faster. In fact sometimes, it means the opposite of that, which is exactly what I’ve come to discover over the last six months.

I’ve had such a hard time putting thoughts into words as of late, until I stumbled upon somebody who did it for me: Chelsea Sonksen of Boss Ladies, who recently wrote:

“It seems many of us want simpler lives — lives that move slower, lives in which we remember to value simple things. But we do not want a simple paycheck. We do not want others to think us simple. We fear becoming simple. So we stay. In the midst of the frenzy. Wishing for more simplicity. But not brave enough to claim it as our own.”

The core of who I am craves a simpler life, just as it always has. But for the majority of my time here on earth, I’ve done the opposite of that in the pursuit of “success,” whether that meant stressing out over a test in order to maintain a 4.0 (okay okay 3.9) grade point average or overworking myself day in and day out to hit that six figure mark as a young professional.

This year, however, growth has come in the form of slowing down and opting for simplicity. And as a recovering hustler, it’s been one of the hardest, most rewarding things I’ve ever done.

The reason I’m sharing this with you all is because I treasure transparency. And in a simpler life, comes a simpler working life. So if you’re wondering why I haven’t shown up as much as I have in the past … it’s because growth doesn’t always mean more.

Sometimes, it means less.

To be honest, I thought this year would look a whole lot different in the career department. I was going to write weekly blog posts and letters, put out an online course, launch a new website, and so much more. Sure, I’ve done some of this. But I won’t be doing all of it. And that’s okay.

Instead, I’m looking forward to seeing what simplicity has to offer. And how this newfound space will allow me to grow in different, more unexpected ways.

If any of this resonates with you on a deeper level, then please, by all means, give yourself some grace and take it easy. Even if only for a day. I promise the world won't crashing down on you. It'll support you. ♡