Depending on our childhood, each of us as individuals will grow differently. As a child, I didn’t have a chance to emotionally grow because I was never encouraged to make decisions. Decisions were always being made for me.
Being thrown in the deep end
Although I was able to hold down a job from the age of 18, I didn’t feel ready to ‘take on the world’. It was only when I moved on with my life at the age of 25 that things slowly began to change for me. It was like being thrown in at the deep end without being able to swim.
We are our own teacher
I had to teach myself how to think independently, how to be independent and how to make decisions. As I slowly began to learn about myself, I began to grow and as a result was able to change certain aspects of my life. I found a voice in me that I never knew I had, and for the first time I started to look at my life differently. My focus and priorities began to change.
Learning about perspective
It is important we learn perspective and allow ourselves space to emotionally grow. I believe in putting space between us and others when we have to. Having our own space is massively important, because it allows us time to renew ourselves with a more positive outlook.
Because of my CP I had pretty much my career path mapped out for me, midway through high school.
That was okay untill I found out later in life what I really had a passion for. If I had known this at an earlier age I would have gone in that direction. I think in the long run I would have been much happier.
The moral is follow what you have a passion for. It is uplifting and makes work fun and rewarding.
Your parents were probably cautious and wanted you to play it safe whilst helping you deal with your CP.
From what you say, it sounds as though you weren't altogether unhappy with the path you took; but would have preferred to have followed your own path with something you were interested in.
I agree that should happen for all of us.
Yes, it is a very good thing to take the time for yourself to grow.
I don't do that often enough, but I'm trying to change that. I'm hoping that in the future I won't feel quite so guilty about it.
Growth wasn't exactly encouraged when I was a kid and it's very difficult to change those patterns now!
I completely understand. It's not always easy to work out how to make the change for personal growth, but I believe we can all do it.
It's knowing how and sticking to the winning formula, without feeling guilty for doing it.
I was never pointed in the way I should go. I had no encouragement. I had to figure out my life myself... and I really didn't start doing it until I was around 30 and on my second marriage.
I always wanted to be a nurse so I became one. Now I want to go further not necessarily with nursing but with holistic healthcare.
Right now I can't move forward with that until a few other things are settled, but I have time for me right now and I like it.
I don't feel guilty because I deserve it.
I am pleased you don't feel guilty Lisa. No reason why you should. It's nice that you were able to do what you chose to do, even though it came to you later in your life.
You got to do it and that's the main thing.