Personal growth certainly has some pains involved and isn’t easy to navigate at times, but it is necessary in order to move toward your dreams and desires in life. We often jump into something with full gusto when we have an awakening in life and quickly find out how difficult change can be. I’m sure you have heard the saying, “easy come, easy go.” This is so true. If you don’t have to give any effort towards something, you will never appreciate it.

In April of last year, I went to “one of those” self help conferences and had an amazing, eye-opening experience. I got in the feels. I got to share feelings with others with similar goals and dreams for their lives. I left the conference with feelings that have been bottled up for too long. I went back to my life and went all in. I completely altered my life and habits and had an amazing time doing it, until I didn’t. Sheer will and effort drove my motivation and when I continued to get beat down by life or beat down by others’ energy, I had to dig deep.

I realized that my journey is not the same as everyone else’s. I also realized that I am in charge of my choices in life. So, during this time, I made some difficult decisions and fiercely edited things in my life that weren’t serving me. The result: I made my personal growth journey immensely easier to deal with. Still, it’s not all roses. It is work every day and sometimes it is frustrating and seems insurmountable. To me, I have accepted the challenge and will not back down. I have things that are far more important than reverting back to my “easy” yet unfulfilled life. There is no choice in the matter.

Even though change is difficult, it is worth the effort. You can either choose an easy and unfulfilled life or reach for anything you want by your effort.