Growing Pains

photo credit: Kambren Stanley

Over the past year, I’ve felt a variety of growing pains. They have been in my career, personal life, and even my own self. I have struggled with the idea that becoming the person you want to be doesn’t hurt because challenges and growth are painful.  I want to share a few of them with you, so grab your wine or mimosa since it’s early and let’s travel to another place.

A situation arose a few days ago where I realized how much I have grown in my career and how even though it feels like every week I get down on myself about not being 100 percent sure on what to do next sometimes because my career has just really begun  – I realized I was headed in the right direction. Working in an agency has its challenges, but those obstacles I have had to overcome have granted me great opportunities to show all that I am capable of and follow my heart. The last year and a half I have learned about a variety of industries, marketing strategies, and public relations activities that I only had read about before – never fully in the trenches! It’s not to say that the uncomfortable situations I have to come in contact with day in and day out are not terrifying but I am finally getting out of the weeds, walking through the sand and about to head off into the ocean. Pardon my strange metaphors but I enjoy creating them. 😉

But I can’t tell you that I have always felt this way. There are many times where I have cried, questioned my worth and asked myself do I really want this that bad to feel this pain that exists. The answer is always yes. Always. I placed myself in a very interesting scenario where all my growing pains would happen around the same time. I moved to a new city that is larger than anything I am used to, this takes weeks, months, and even sometimes a year to grasp what it’s all about and to not feel alone. On top of that, I began my first real big-time job. But I chose to do this because I know that the journey and the goals are what will get me where I want to go. I have had to remember not to lose sight of the big picture about where I am headed and what I want to achieve but also the other beautiful things in life like my love, friends, travel, and passion.

The growing pains don’t last forever but you shouldn’t ever stop learning and sometimes you need to stop and smell the roses of realities. What growing pains are you experiencing? Are they worth it? Maybe they are telling you that you need to pursue another option. But trust in the process and listen to your heart, I promise you it won’t fail you.

Until next time, drink lots of wine, live in the sunlight and thrive by the moonlight.

Best,

Kambren