5 Signs That You Are Making Emotional Growth

You may tend to constantly look for ways to improve yourself, become a better version of you, and treat yourself like a project.

Sometimes, you may need to pause so that you can notice ways that you have made emotional growth in your life.

Without reflection, you may miss out on moments for self-love and acknowledgment of progress.

Without reflection of progress, you don’t allow yourself gratitude for the growth you have made in your life.

When you have feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and grief; these can be moments to pause so that you can identify how far you’ve come in living with these feelings. It’s okay if the amount of progress and growth is small. It is still valuable.

When you start to show up in a way that is different than you’ve known in the past, it is an opportunity to take a pause so that you can see your growth.

Small changes like eating when you are hungry, calling a friend when you are lonely, practicing emotional regulation when you are angry, taking a nap when you are tired can all have a positive impact on your life.

Here are 5 signs that you are making emotional growth:

1. You can laugh at yourself.

If you consistently take yourself seriously, you may not be allowing yourself to feel vulnerability through joy.

Trauma can prevent this from occurring naturally, so patience and practice can help.

Laughing with yourself may indicate that you are humble enough to know that you won’t always get it right. You will make mistakes, and sometimes, they are really funny.

Joy is a way to show vulnerability courageously, and by laughing at yourself, you may be demonstrating emotional growth.

Rather than berating yourself for a pattern, imperfect moment, or mistake; you can see where you slipped, have a chuckle, and move forward.

Read More: “How To Approach Conflict Through Compromise.”

Emotionally intelligent people take perspective so that they can have more fun in their lives.

There are life altering mistakes that are serious, and perspective taking can be a tool when you are laughing at yourself.

Think about the size of the problem. If it is tiny, give yourself a laugh rather than more stress that you didn’t do something right.

2. You take ownership and accountability.

If you make a mistake, hurt yourself, or harm someone else; a sign of emotional growth is that you own up to it.

Rather than making something or someone a scapegoat due to shameful feelings, you take appropriate next steps.

This may mean that you offer a mutually agreed upon solution, an apology, or an amend with a change of action to right the wrong.

You don’t have to over apologize, and you can look for ways that you can nurture the relationship with yourself as well as others through taking accountability for your actions.

3. Seek Out Different Perspectives.

A key aspect of emotional growth and one of the signs that you are growing is that you don’t believe everything you think.

You have one perspective, not the only point of view.

When you take the time to learn what others think, you can improve your emotional development.

Dealing with cognitive dissonance can be a way to identify your own beliefs and values. When you pick fights, listen to talk, and consistently whistle blow; you may be looking for problems instead of solutions.

This can be a sign of emotional immaturity.

You may feel addicted to fear and excitement because they elicit big feelings and energy.

With emotional maturity, you may notice that you pause more, listen actively, detach with love from people who are harmful, gossip less, and share opinions with people who want to hear them.

You don’t have to convince everyone to think like you in order to be seen and heard. A key sign of emotional growth is recognizing that validation comes from within, not from persuading others.

4. You shift from permanent to temporary thinking.

You can be consistent and temporary at the same time when it comes to emotional maturity.

Read More: “What Is Mindfulness And How To Be Mindful”

With emotional growth, you may realize that some setbacks are temporary.

Catastrophic thinking may get you into a state of mind that something will last forever.

You may not be able to see beyond the here and now. It is okay to think this way and accepting that you may have setbacks is a way to learn from your mistakes.

You can take one day at a time rather than every day all of the time when it comes to your emotional health.

This can help you to stay in the present moment.

Meditation and mindfulness tools can help shift your perspective.

Extreme thinking is another way to stay stuck and can prevent a healthy relationship from forming.

One of the signs you are growing emotionally is recognizing that every emotion has an endpoint and won’t last forever.

When you realize that problems are temporary, you can build your resilience in difficult moments.

5. You show up differently.

You don’t need to undergo substantial changes for emotional growth to occur. Tiny moments can make all the difference in your life.

When you start to honor yourself and say no instead of yes, you may be emotionally maturing.

Embracing the yes when you mean yes, is another sign of taking care of your emotions and needs.

Read More: “What Are Boundaries And Why Are They Important? Learn To Set And Keep Boundaries”

You may find yourself doing things that you enjoy rather than consistently pleasing people.

You will still experience challenging emotions as well as have to face a difficult situation, and they may not impact your emotional well-being as much.

At work, you may notice that you share your ideas more when you once stayed quiet.

With friends, you may notice the relationships that no longer fulfill you have come to a natural end without fanfare.

While out in public, you may notice that you pause rather than judge or critique others.

These are small shifts that can make a huge impact in your life.

Emotional growth can happen while you are not looking, and reflection can help you to see that you are making progress.

You don’t have to continually improve yourself throughout your lifetime to be worthy.

Everyone has next steps to take and the ability to unlearn patterns.

These actions are important to continue growth, and you can also notice what goals you have met already.

You may feel many emotions at once several times a day, and that is okay.

A professional, like a therapist, can help you to identify next steps when you are ready to explore emotional growth.

A therapist can also help you to see how far you’ve already come.

Frequently Asked Questions about Emotional Growth

What is emotional growth, and why is it important? 
Emotional growth is the process of developing healthier ways to understand, manage, and express your emotions. It is important because it helps build resilience, improve relationships, and foster a more fulfilling life.

What are some small signs of personal growth that might go unnoticed? 
Simple actions like setting boundaries, seeking out new perspectives, or pausing before reacting to situations are often subtle yet powerful signs of personal growth.

Why is reflection important for emotional growth? 
Reflection allows you to recognize progress and appreciate the changes you’ve made, which are crucial signs you are growing emotionally. It also provides an opportunity for self-love and gratitude.

How does mindfulness contribute to emotional growth? 
Mindfulness helps you stay present, reduce catastrophic thinking, and approach emotions with greater clarity, which are all key elements of growing emotionally.

What role do setbacks play in emotional growth? 
Setbacks offer an opportunity to learn from mistakes and build resilience. Recognizing that setbacks are temporary is an essential part of emotional growth.

Can emotional growth impact my relationships? 
Absolutely. Signs of personal growth, such as improved communication and empathy, can strengthen relationships and foster deeper connections with others.

How can I continue to notice the signs of growth in my emotional journey? 
Regularly reflect on your actions, seek feedback, and celebrate even small changes, such as responding differently in challenging situations or embracing vulnerability.

How can therapy support emotional growth? 
Therapy provides a safe space to explore your emotions, identify patterns, and develop tools for managing challenges. A therapist can help you recognize signs of emotional growth, such as improved self-awareness and resilience, and guide you through setbacks while celebrating your progress.

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Written by: Randi Thackeray, MA
Clinically Reviewed and Edited by: Julie Reichenberger, MA, LPC, ACS, ACC