A harsh reality in life is that we never really stop growing. Just that, rather than growing up, we start to grow out of things. Like our homes, habits, styles and unfortunately, the people we know may be left behind as we discover new sides to ourselves and figure out how we want to live our lives.
Sometimes it is really obvious when you’ve grown out of something and you don’t really have to second-guess it too much – those sky-high stilettos for example, or that cramped-up studio flat where you had to sleep and eat in the same piece of furniture as your cat have had its time in the spotlight for long enough.
Yet, other times it’s not as easy to spot the signs of when you are due for an upgrade in terms of where you live, what you drive in, how you dress or even the people you surround yourself with. Here is a simple guide to help you to map out your own feelings a bit better and make it easier to make the right decision and if it is time for change.
You know, the kind of decisions you won’t regret after 24 short hours.
OUTGROWN YOUR JOB?
Most of us reach a point in our careers where there’s simply no challenge to it anymore and the time for change calls. Although you may still be happy with the career you have chosen, it could be time to jump ships and look for better opportunities – particularly if you find your current job a bit too easy.
We need to feel like we are prospering and going somewhere in life and you’ve probably noticed that nagging feeling inside of you if you’re considering changing jobs; you could do better, this isn’t enough, and it’s not where you want to be.
Yet, and hear me out on this one, it’s not always that easy to know what we want or even if this persistent feeling is just restlessness or a red flag. Think about your job as you would think about your SO and imagine that someone told you that you’re going to marry your job one day. If you feel like you’ve just hit the jackpot, we would probably not be having this conversation.
Similarly, Steve Jobs revealed to Stanford graduates in 2005 the ‘last day of your life’ test he used on himself every morning and you should try to do the same; if this was the last day of your life, would you be happy doing what you do? Some days you might answer no and that’s alright – but if the answer is always no, you might be in need of a change.
The solution is, of course, simple enough, it is time for change, but it’s a good idea to start looking and networking before you take your hat and leave. Attend a few networking events in the area you’re interested in, have a chat with your friends and the coworkers who won’t rat you out and start to explore your options.
Maybe you can relocate within the existing organisation you’re working in or maybe it’s actually time to do something completely different.
OUTGROWN YOUR HOME?
Just like it can be hard to trust your instincts and walk out on your current job, the time for change can be just as difficult to walk out on the home you’ve known and loved for so many years. Try to figure out if you just need something bigger or if the location of your home is inconvenient before you make any final changes.
In the case of the former, you might be able to simply move to a bigger home in the same neighbourhood. This is, of course, the ideal option as you’ll stay in the same area and, particularly if you have children, you won’t have to adjust to an entirely new area. When you notice that you’re driving out of your way to get to work and rush between locations to pick up your family members and get the grocery shopping done, it’s probably best to move to somewhere more convenient.
This is usually a hard decision to make as there will be so many changes and, as we know so well, we’re not always that keen on these changes. If you don’t have a vehicle and need to commute out of your way every day, you might be able to solve this by investing in a car, by the way, have a look at Kia Sportage, Family SUV, Best Family Car, to begin with a search around the web to find the best price.
It will, of course, cost you a bit but it could solve your problems of moving closer to work – and it will save you the money you’d spend on moving house as well.
OUTGROWN YOUR RELATIONSHIP?
Of everything we can ever outgrow, this is probably the hardest one. If it is your best friend or your SO, the relationships we used to love just doesn’t always stay the same – or maybe we don’t stay the same, it’s hard to say. To make matters even worse, relationships are also one of the toughest things we have to deal with in life and it can be really hard to know when it’s time to throw in the towel – or when you simply need to work on yourself.
There are, however, a few clues that may lead you in the right direction. How do you feel about him or her when you’re hanging out with your friends, for example? Have the cute and edgy habits turned annoying and even somewhat embarrassing?
Couples tend to slowly drift apart and it’s a well-known fact that everybody else will notice it before you do. If you feel like you’ve lost yourself in the relationship and your friends are even pointing it out, it may very well be because they are right and, deep down, you know it yourself.
Another point you should keep in mind is to notice if you still enjoy doing the things you used to do together as a couple. While it’s healthy to have our own hobbies and a life of our own, it wouldn’t make any sense if you no longer wanted to do things together with your best friend – which is really what your SO should be to you. Have a look at this article to maintain the best possible relationship with your partner.
Everything in life, both the good and the bad, will pass and soon enough you’ll have something else on your mind beside from the job you’re tired of, the home you’ve outgrown or the relationship you no longer see yourself in. The more you grow, the more you will continue to outgrow certain things or certain people; just be brave, listen to your instincts, and it will always work out in the end.
//
This has been a collaborative post. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are not my own
