Anisha Expresses

‘Growth’ is a loud, showy term. Google defines growth as “the process of increasing in size,” which can be either quantitative or qualitative. However, growth is always regarded as a visible and observable change. Although we frequently associate growth with wealth, achievement, and conveniences, growth can also occur within. Although it may not be obvious, internal growth is the most significant development for humanity. 

Inner growth always takes place in silence; it could be a time of introspection, self-awareness, habit modification, natural transformation, mental healing, or anything similar. All of these factors have to do with people’s mental well-being and tranquillity; the progress that results from this is real but not especially noticeable. Both loud and quiet growth are undoubtedly possible and necessary in order to achieve short-term and long-term goals of life.

It’s a common belief that taking a few steps back before making a huge leap is preferable. In terms of internal development, it is entirely accurate. Only when there is an inside awareness that something has to change can internal progress occur. The dark phase, which comes before the self-realization phase, is a time when one may feel lost, uninspired, stuck, or even invisible. If approached correctly, this phase may result in a solution, and attaining it is an accomplishment within itself. Internal growth occurs when investigating the solution. Growth is occurring, but it is not noticeable to the outside world, it is quiet, and the accomplishments are not measurable but significant. 

At one point in my life, I made the decision to leave my career and raise my child at home. It didn’t take long to realise how crucial it was to make this decision, but it took some time to really do it. I was afraid to decide to leave my job because I had been financially independent for a long time, but I saw that I was spending very little time with my child, which would never return. At last, I made the choice. The phase has been quiet ever since, and nobody is aware of what I am doing.  Nonetheless, I am well aware that raising my child at home has only made me happier. It brings me great joy to raise him, attempt to teach him some positive habits, and see him develop. I’ve been internally healed by it. After that, I realised that I could dedicate some time to writing, which has been my passion since I was in school. I’ve resumed writing, and I’m really enjoying it. 

I’ve learnt the value of putting your own pleasure and well-being first at this quiet time in my life. Despite the difficult, uncomfortable, and self-doubting journey, I have become a stronger woman than I was before. Understanding that I needed to take a break from work because I couldn’t concentrate, getting ready, and seizing opportunities are all examples of quiet growth for me.  

Growth does not always mean productivity; it also means preparation, preparation for the difficult phases of life. Having said that, if internal or quiet growth occurs successfully, it also might lead to loud growth, because the measure of success might differ from person to person. The quiet phase frequently teaches the value of a few things, such as emotional resilience, which improves one’s capacity to recover from stressful situations, self-trust, which boosts confidence in oneself, clarity of values, which aids in developing a belief system for oneself, and, lastly, letting go of external validation, which is the most crucial stage in the process of internal development.

There might be questions around how this quiet phase can be embraced gracefully. It can be done in multiple ways : 

• Journal every step you make in this phase
• Let go of the need to be constantly achieving something
• Always trust your inner timelines
• Try to find beauty in slowness and solitude
• Spend time in doing what you love the most
• Always share your experiences with one of your closed ones

Have faith in the process, believe that there is a positive side to it. Growth does not always have to be loud but it definitely must be real. Define real growth for yourself and work towards it in a structured manner. Your path might be quiet, honor it, respect the difficult phases that come with it. Finally, would like to end this  with a quote, “ Nothing blooms all year, yet everything grows in time”.