Personal growth often begins with acknowledging your current reality. Since I realized that what we focus on becomes our reality… Personal growth starts with this realization. I think I heard this sentence in a movie, or perhaps it was inspired by something a character said. I’m not entirely sure, but it constantly buzzes in my head like a persistent fly (not a pleasant thought—let’s make it a butterfly instead :D). “What you focus on becomes your reality.”
It’s like attending someone’s birthday party when you’re feeling down about something. Everyone is having fun, your friend is excited about celebrating another year, but your reality is different. That nagging thought keeps circulating in your mind, and not only do you fail to enjoy the event, but you might also bring down the mood for others.
Mindfulness and transformation beautifully represented through glowing butterflies around a meditative figure.
Mindfulness plays a crucial role in personal growth.
From a mindfulness perspective, “every emotion should be consciously experienced.” However, while experiencing every feeling, it’s essential to approach them calmly, almost like catching a mischievous child. You can say to yourself, “Is it that thought again? Come on, step out of it; where are you now?” This redirection helps you start enjoying the birthday party.
“Fake it until you make it” might sound a bit slangy, but it’s an effective mental strategy. If you keep saying, “I’m not okay,” you’re unlikely to find joy. Every issue will appear before you like a rake on the ground that hits Tom the cat when he steps on it (you know, from the cartoons).
So instead, I say, “Yes, I’m not feeling great, but I want to feel better. What was I doing when I was feeling good? Let’s do those things again.” This often works for me because “I don’t want to stay in this negative space.”
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What Is Your Reality?
Is it your health? Are you dealing with a health issue? What about looking at the areas where you’re doing well? If you’ve done your best for your health, it’s time to focus on your strengths—write, draw, create, plan, achieve.
Is your reality defined by failures? Let’s shift the focus to your successes. Talk to people who care about you, and reflect on your overlooked strengths. Why not redefine your reality by focusing on areas where you excel?
Is your reality that you’re lazy? Be honest—what activity makes time fly for you? Ask those around you, “What do you think I’m good at?” If they say, “You’re actually good at this,” it means you haven’t acted on it yet. You’ve already managed to commit to being “lazy,” so imagine what you could do by choosing a different focus! (Hey, you’re not lazy; you’ve read this far!)
Growth and self-discovery visualized through a luminous figure with butterfly wings amidst a calming background.
Let’s Focus on Success in 2025
Personal growth was my key driver in turning my life around.
I’ll start! In 2024, my focus was “unhappiness, irritability, dissatisfaction.” I was in a job I wasn’t happy with, even though I liked the people I worked with. However, I couldn’t use my creativity in my customer service role.
I have MS, and every three months, I had to travel to Istanbul, which disrupted my routine. MS left me unable to see a clear path forward, and honestly, I was afraid of the future.
I didn’t have the time, energy, or inspiration to write. Whenever I needed to be creative, my mind turned into a blank page, and nothing would come out. This gradually dimmed my spirit. (Yes, I became a candle, melting slowly—:p).
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Midway through the year, I found the strength and resigned to start my own business!
I started viewing my trips to Istanbul as “road trips,” and now, secretly, I even look forward to them. I paid attention to my diet, lost weight (/still losing, it’s a long journey), focused on walking more, swam more often, and rowed more frequently this year. Toward the end of the year, my doctor’s news about a reduction in my MS lesions lifted my spirits (seeing the effectiveness of the medication was gratifying).
I realized the importance of mental health, revisited Osho books I had read before, and reabsorbed the highlighted sections.
As I mentioned, I started my own business—I launched my blog (crunchymyelin.com), reactivated my previously dormant ETSY stores, and started taking courses to improve my social media skills. I increased my photography, which made me feel good in two ways: capturing the moment and investing in my social media.
I developed an interest in neuroscience and neuroplasticity because I believe understanding how MS affects the brain can help me guide my readers more effectively.
As you can see, the beginning and the end of 2024 were vastly different for me.
A beautiful depiction of rising after a fall, with a figure fixing its glowing butterfly wing.
A Fresh Start Despite Setbacks
Recently, I faced another setback. Focusing solely on mental nourishment, even as an introvert, led me to withdraw from social life. I realized that too much “self-focus” can weaken my connection to the outside world. Once I worked through that week, I got back on my feet and started breathing again. My reality should focus on “maintaining morale through good health.”
That’s why one of my 2025 goals is to socialize more frequently! I’ve already taken the first step by joining a Chakra Education Series. Regular gatherings, even on days when I don’t feel great, will help me gain new perspectives.
May 2025 Bring Growth and Discovery
In 2025, I wish for growth, development, self-discovery without isolation, boundless creativity, consistency, and abundance. Let’s focus on creating a reality that reflects our strengths and aspirations!
