Taking Care of Yourself While Pursuing Personal Growth (Guest Post)

Atyla Rica, The Identity Artisan guides others to discover their true selves and spread love, awareness and happiness through acquired knowledge, life experiences and alchemy. Book your appointment today! theidentityartisan@atylarica.com

Tackling new challenges is an essential component of personal growth, but if you don’t look after yourself while pursuing your goals, you may not achieve long-term happiness. Here, Atyla Rica, The Identity Artisan reveals how to manage the stress that besets even the strongest individuals when they take on some of life’s biggest growth opportunities.

1) Moving to a New Town

While living in a new place broadens your horizons, it’s also daunting when everything around you is unfamiliar and you can get lost in your own neighborhood. Even making the wrong turn on the way to the bank or having no idea where to buy milk can lead to a meltdown that has you questioning your decision to move.

Tame your sense of disorientation by engaging in anxiety-relieving activities like meditation, and then spend time exploring your new town in a relaxing way, perhaps by taking a bike ride or walking around town to get the lay of the land. It helps if the area has a high Walk Score, which you can check online. NewHomeSource.com notes that getting around town will familiarize you with your surroundings, and doing it on foot also releases stress-reducing hormones as you break a sweat.

As you become accustomed to your new surroundings, you’ll also get to know the neighborhoods in your new town. You may decide that you’d prefer living in a different area with more shops or restaurants you enjoy. You can even choose to consider renting and use the time for a trial run for a possible purchase down the road.

2) Going Back to School

Many people go back to school to expand their career options, but it’s also an ideal way to grow personally. Your time management, organization, teamwork, and communication skills will all improve through your course activities.

Unfortunately, it’s not all upside, as furthering your education may leave you feeling stretched too thin. When you’ve got too much on your plate, reaching for help is often the best way to take care of yourself. Opportunity Kitchen suggests working with your boss to set a more flexible schedule, and you can ask family to take over household responsibilities, and contact your friends to let them know you’ll be limiting your social activities. Use calendars and to-do lists to stay organized and gain control of your own schedule so you don’t feel like the clock is running your life.

3) Changing Your Career Path

Whether you’ve gone back to school to study a different field or you’re switching career paths on your own, taking on a new job gives you the fresh purpose and perspective that foster personal growth. However, it’s easy to be overcome by a fear of uncertainty when you step out of your comfort zone.

This can be particularly true when you’re starting a new company. One of the best ways to conquer entrepreneurial doubt is to learn more about the process. You will need to first choose a business structure. An LLC is common because it is simple and inexpensive to set up, and it provides liability protection. To start an LLC, you’ll want to draw up a thorough business plan. Plotting your funding, marketing strategy, and business structure require research and focus, two important tools for eliminating uncertainty. Then, you’ll need to submit the state-specific paperwork or work with a formation company instead.

If you’re simply moving toward a new employment path, it’s crucial to give yourself plenty of time and runway to make the right move. You don’t want to rush into a new job just to get away from your old one. Carefully search for roles that fit your skills and companies that offer the kind of culture you seek. Be sure to update your resume accordingly too. A free resume template can help you craft a polished and professional resume, and other online resources can help you put together a great cover letter.

While there’s a connection between personal growth and stress, the challenges that arise from change can be overcome. Individual activities like meditation and exercise, lower anxiety, while reaching out to others for help, managing your schedule, and devising and following clear plans all aid with reducing pressure. With so many ways to handle the stress of change, don’t let concerns about your well-being stand in the way of your growth.