12 signs you’re moving forward in life, even if you can’t see it

Life has a way of happening without you fully realizing what’s happening.

Just like how it has a way of leading you where you need to be.

So if you’re here, it probably means you’re ready to take inventory of how much you’ve grown.

Here are 12 signs you’re moving forward in life, even if you can’t see it… but you’re about to.

1) You have answers you didn’t have before

Think of all the things that once made you feel badly about yourself.

How do they make you feel now?

Compare what you feel to the way you used to react to your insecurities. It’s okay for some things to still sting, but it’s probably not to the extent that they used to.

Time is a huge factor in this because sometimes, our fears make us feel like we’re running out of it. 

No matter what you’re moving on from, grief is grief. And those stages aren’t for the faint of heart.

But you’ve made it this far without letting them break you, that should tell you more than enough about what you’re capable of overcoming.

2) You’re not blaming yourself for things you cannot control

Yes, some people can be a pain in the ass and make our lives more miserable.

But if Princess Diaries has taught us anything, it’s that no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

And you can do a lot of damage to your self-esteem when you blame yourself for not feeling good enough for others.

So if you can name your inner critic and hater without flinching, that’s a sign that you’ve healed the most important relationship.

The one you have with yourself.

3) You can see where you went wrong

Which is easier when there isn’t an annoying little voice in your head that shames you for not knowing something you were meant to learn.

When we experience loss, there is a lesson here on how to exist without something we thought we needed.

This requires us to separate what we thought we needed and what we actually needed. As well as how we may have given away our power without realizing.

Taking your power back is a form of taking accountability for yourself.

And being able to admit that counts as a skill you didn’t have before, that you do now.

4) You can talk about what happened

In an empowered way, where you call things how they are with confidence.

And not that it’s an exam, but bonus points if you can laugh about it.

Sometimes, we keep ourselves stuck because we know we need the time to process something we went through.

For me, it’s because I want to be able to communicate my story without others defining my experiences for me. I know I can’t do that unless I feel secure in my perspectives.

It will be like a switch that turns within you – a feeling more than a thought. A deeper understanding that goes beyond surface level recollections of what happened.

That what you learned is valuable! If someone went through what you went through and asked for advice, you’d be confident that you could offer some quality insights.

5) Your gratitude outweighs your grief

Speaking of a feeling you should look out for, you’ll be grateful that it happened.

It’s normal to never want to experience something ever again. 

But the trust you rebuilt within yourself is enough and gives you the courage to know you’ll never feel the way you used to.

This gratitude will be the driving force that helps you make new decisions in life that are rooted in self-love!

And it’s also a sign that you’re able to hold complex emotions in your body where you validate your pain and the gains at the same time.

6) You have more energy

Stability is probably something that took on a new meaning for you during this time of growth.

Because it isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of thing.

And sometimes, it takes breaking into a million pieces to find out what kind of glue puts us back together.

You likely have new coping mechanisms, routines and aspirations that are tailored to you. Therefore knowing what helps you recharge can leave you feeling more energized!

Not to mention, grief and other heavy states of being like it are exhausting. It makes sense that you had to slow down for a bit to let yourself process it.

So naturally, if your body is telling you that it feels better, you should trust it.

7) You want to try new things

You feel brand new on the inside, it only makes sense you should show it on the outside.

If you feel a pull to experiment with a new look, or redecorate your space, go for it!

This desire will also be accompanied by a slight sense of boredom. Like the things that kept you distracted from the next big change in your life are no longer working.

This is the perfect time to release some of the new energy you’ve been feeling.

So be spontaneous and do something creative! Keep it light and fun so that you don’t have to think too hard in a long-term way.

You’ll have to do that eventually anyway.

Just that you’re willing to grant yourself some fun is enough.

8) You’re in a healthier environment

Or you’re about to be.

This could mean that you are being shown opportunities to relocate somewhere else if your current environment isn’t helping you grow.

It could also mean that the possibility of changing your environment isn’t as daunting as it used to be.

If you have the resources, this is the time to make plans. If you don’t, it means you’re ready to make plans to accumulate some resources.

You also don’t need to move completely in order to better your environment.

Adapting it so it has more space for self-care can make a huge difference. So if that’s the case for you, give yourself some credit for that.

9) You got people around you who keep you accountable

Sometimes when life seems to crumble, it’s just making room for better things to come.

If you have a whole different circle of people around you that uplift you, that’s something to celebrate.

It speaks volumes on how much you’ve grown as a person because what you value shows in the company you keep.

Even if you’re the only person who has your back, be proud of that. So many people fear being alone, that they’re willing to let it keep them from growing.

The point is, your environment doesn’t have anyone that is holding you back because deep down and on the surface, you want to move forward.

10) You desire connection again

If you’re yet to have a support system that fits your growth, that’s okay.

Sometimes, things happen in different orders for different people. And a sign that change is coming in this area of your life is if you’re feeling more open to new connections.

Perhaps you have a better idea for what you want, and what you need in your relationships.

If you’re moving on from a relationship, your growing curiosities on the future of your love life is also a sign you’re ready.

Don’t mind the butterflies, because you’ll never be completely cool, calm, collected when new love enters your life. 

But the best part is, you don’t have to be.

11) You’re open to allowing things to unfold

I remember when I was stricken with grief, my mind was beyond rigid.

I had so many reservations and reasons that were really just excuses for why I needed to know everything.

And I had a lot of judgements towards people because I thought that would keep me from being disappointed or hurt again.

It’s normal for our egos to become bruised and feel sore after we experience something that we need to move on from.

So although it might feel off at first to go with the flow, that’s not a sign that you aren’t ready.

But the fact that you’re trying does mean you are.

12) Your goals are realistic

One of the downfalls in how our egos work is that they can set up some unrealistic expectations of our realities.

And from ourselves!

Compare what you wanted from when you were at your lowest, to now. They are probably different because you’re no longer forcing yourself to be something you’re not.

Being able to think for yourself and set healthier goals means your heart and mind are coexisting peacefully again.

And your ability to be kind to yourself in this way, shows that you accept yourself now more than ever.

Moving forward is definitely something that happens intangibly.

You’re only one person! 

How are you supposed to change how you see things and keep track of what you’re seeing at the same time?

Luckily, the gift of hindsight allows us to see that you were actually doing both at the same time.

And now that you’re aware, maybe you should reward yourself with a leap of faith.