Carrie Baker – The Growth Collective

Hey there friend, this blog post is the email I sent out to my community this week. If you enjoy it, there is an opportunity for you to hear from me in your inbox each week!

Welcome to another week! Is it just me, or are they speeding by?

Just in case you are the slightest bit curious about the skateboarding journey – let me give you a quick update:

I have successfully taken myself for an indoor skateboard, around the sports hall where I run my toddler group, and it went very well! I didn’t fall off and I feel like I am getting the hang of it. I will take that as a win! But still, early days…

Did my story in last week‘s email inspire you to begin something you’ve thought about for while? Were you encouraged at how everything is preparing you for all that is to come?

If you made a step towards something new, tell me all about it, I would love to know!

I want to talk to you about something this week… You guessed it!

Personal Growth

I want to talk to you about this, because if you are reaching for a goal, pursuing a dream, or just learning to be the best version of yourself, then you are already on a journey of personal growth. 

The thing is, we sometimes think we know what personal growth looks like, but often it presents itself in a way that we don’t recognise.

Just to let you in on the secret, it’s not actually some kind of ‘beauty from ashes’ metamorphosis like it’s portrayed in the movies. Do you know that kind of storyline I mean? Just think Cinderella or something similar.

Well, in real life … it’s nothing like Cinderella.

There is no rich Prince or fancy balls or gowns. But, there is a more fulfilled version of you that awaits you on the other side of growth.

And I promise it will be worth it.

How to recognise a season of personal growth:

You feel like your life isn’t quite the right fit

This can present itself in feeling like you want to quit your job, or you’re fed up of your current life… For no particular reason, or for very valid reasons. It just feels uncomfortable and you feel the need for something to shift or change.

You feel lost

Maybe you suddenly feel a little like you don’t know where your life is headed anymore, and you’re not even sure where you should be heading.

This happens at various points over the course of our life, a feeling a need for readjustment. This is a cue that change is needed or is coming.

You feel restless

You may sometimes feel a restlessness that you can’t name or explain. It manifests itself in a feeling that you need to be doing something, but you don’t know what that is.

Or it can feel like when you trying to do something, it doesn’t help and you can’t seem to settle to anything.

You are aware that there has been a shift in your life

Have you noticed that there has been a change in the way you see your current life? Perhaps the vision you had for your future, isn’t what you want anymore, and you don’t even know what you want from life.

You feel discomfort

This discomfort may be emotional, physical or mental. A general feeling of being discombobulated, in a way that you can’t easily explain.

All of these feelings can be an indicator that you’re in, or heading into, a season of growth. Your subconscious is alerts you, through your feelings, that there is a coming change in your life. These feelings are often the initiator of growth and the action it requires of you.

These may all sound like negative things, but discomfort can cause us to make positive changes, which is the starting point of a future version of you and the life you are working towards.

Please note that if you are in a season of growth or general discombobulation, please don’t make any major life changes or decisions. This is not the time to suddenly jump ship or make a 180 degree turn.

So then, let’s talk about how to deal with the unsettling feelings you may be experiencing. (Don’t worry friend, it’s not painful I promise!)

How to manage the symptoms of your personal growth:

Journaling

Ok, please don’t roll your eyes, you know that I love to journal! And you know that there is so much good that comes out of it.

(Here is a blog post I wrote, with research and all to prove it! ‘The Science Behind Journaling, and Why You Should Start Today.’)

Journaling is a great way to seek clarity and to outwardly process your thoughts and feelings. By asking yourself some strategic questions, you can actually unlock some inner truths you didn’t know were there.

This is a great time to reacquaint yourself if you need to, with where it is that you want your life to go. This is an opportunity to realign yourself with the destination again. Ask yourself:

• Is your current life heading in the right direction?
• What needs to happen to get you back on the right path?
• What is the first step to do this?

Talking with a friend

Take that friend out for coffee. You know, the wise one who often says the right things at the right time. If you don’t have one of those, you can talk to a trusted colleague or someone you know who will listen and be able to speak into your situation.

Or at the very least, choose someone to be a sounding board for you to outwardly process with so you can make sense of how you feel.

If you really don’t have anyone, ask the Lord to bring you someone, they might turn out to be the unlikeliest of blessings!

Take your feelings for a good, long walk

The act of moving your body and letting your mind noodle away at a problem is a great way to work your way towards a solution. Your blood is moving and being oxygenated, which helps you think, and the movement of your body does the same.

There is also the fact that somehow being in God’s beautiful creation, makes life feel a little bit better, and things seem a little clearer.

Read the greatest advice that was ever written.

The bible is God’s words to us. They are words of wisdom, comfort, clarity, and truth. And above all of that, they are mighty and powerful too. The words contained within the covers of the bible, are powerful enough to change lives. 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

God works all things together for our good. That is his promise to us.

Know that in all the ways you feel off kilter, he knows it, and he is in it. The Lord is leading you friend, trust that he will grow you in all the ways you need to, for the life he is calling you to.

I am so excited for all that is coming, and all that is yet to be written in the story of your life. I love that I get to be here to encourage you, and journey alongside you.

Thanks for being here…

If you enjoyed this post (which is a blog-i-fied weekly email I sent to my community), I would love to add you into the family, to be encouraged and challenged to grow. I want to invite you to join this ‘love in your inbox’ thing we have over here, by clicking this link: Love In Your Inbox! And while you’re at it – go and share it with someone!

If you would love to help feed my caffeine habit and keep my brain working on my writing days, you can love me with coffee here: LOVE ME WITH COFFEE!

Thank you to those who bought me coffee last week – you really made my week!!

Friend, I hope this has encouraged and helped you to recognise your growth season for now, or for when it next appears.

Sending you my love, 

Carrie xxx

If you are up for some further reading, here are some blog posts about journaling and writing you may want to read if you haven’t already:

Find Focus and Clarity With These Questions:

The Power of the Written Word.

The Science Behind Journaling and Why You Should Start Today.