I've talked about how important it is to live in the present moment, without spending a great deal of time looking back at the past or dreaming about the future.
And yet, there are occasions when it is beneficial to take a look back at where you've been.
Every so often, it's helpful to notice your progress, your growth, and how much you've changed - and in order to get that perspective, it's necessary to glance back at the road you've traveled.
Many times when I work with clients, their growth has been so organic and natural, that it hasn't always felt like a BIG growth spurt.
However, when we take the time to look back at how differently they used to respond to situations, how differently they used to feel about things/people, and how differently they used to think back then, it helps them to really see the huge changes that they've made in their lives.
It isn't necessary to do this very often - in fact, once every 6 months or once a year would be sufficient.
This is what it might look like: Take some time to sit down and think about how you handle specific situations in your life today - how do you respond, how do you feel, what are the thoughts that go through your head, what actions do you take, how do you feel afterward, etc.
Then remember back 6 months or a year, and think about how you would have handled a similar situation back then.
How would you have responded, how would you have felt, what thoughts would have been going through your head (your self talk), what actions would you have taken, how would you have felt afterward, etc.
If you have been actively, consciously working on your personal growth (or have been becoming more aware of your actions, thoughts, and feelings), I would bet that you will notice some big changes in how you handle life's situations.
What are some of the changes you might notice? Well that will vary from person to person, but some general changes you might notice include: not as quick to respond, taking more time to "sit with" something before choosing how to respond, not as emotional about things, feeling more calm and able to manage your feelings, feeling more periods of peacefulness, not as much negative self talk in your head, feeling gentler toward yourself, able to take time to edit what you say to others before you speak it, taking time to think about your actions and their consequences before taking them, feeling kinder toward yourself and others, able to forgive yourself sooner when you make mistakes...
Obviously this list is not going to fit everyone - it is very generalized.
So if you are not seeing some of these changes, don't worry.
And if you are noticing some changes I haven't mentioned, don't worry.
It's all perfect for you and your unique path in life.
The goal of this is simply to help you see how much you've changed, and in what areas you've grown over a period of time.
And afterwards you may feel pleased with yourself, happy to see the changes, excited that there are more changes than you thought, and able to get the big picture as to where you've been and where you are now.
This may also inspire you by giving you ideas of what changes you'd like to see happen next...
Be proud of yourself for whatever changes you've made (and do so without any judgment about changes you haven't made).
Changing ourselves is not always an easy process.
Sometimes change occurs organically and is almost imperceptible at the time it occurs.
But other times, change is challenging and stubborn, despite our best efforts.
That's why it's important to do this without judgment, but with gentleness and caring for yourself.
Appreciate where you are today and the winding road you traveled to get here!