Today I Choose to be Growing – How to be Growing

The Surprising Truth About How to Be Growing

Everything you’ve been told about how to be growing might be backwards. After years of trying the conventional approach, many women managing multiple responsibilities discover a different truth about being growing. Yesterday, while juggling family commitments and career decisions, I realized that the traditional narrative about growth after 50 often misses the mark entirely.

The journey of how to be growing as women over 50 isn’t about following prescribed paths – it’s about creating our own. Research shows that women in their 50s and beyond often experience their most significant personal growth when they break free from conventional wisdom.

Why Traditional Advice on Being Growing Falls Short

The standard playbook for personal development after 50 typically focuses on retirement planning, gentle exercise, and predictable hobbies. But this cookie-cutter approach fails to acknowledge the depth and complexity of women’s lives at this stage. While organizing old photos last weekend, I noticed how many of us have defied these limiting expectations.

Traditional advice often suggests scaling back and settling into a quieter life. However, studies show that women over 50 are increasingly starting businesses, pursuing advanced degrees, and revolutionizing their careers. The conventional wisdom about “slowing down” simply doesn’t align with modern women’s aspirations and capabilities.

Moreover, the typical guidance about being growing tends to compartmentalize our lives into neat categories: health, relationships, career, and hobbies. This fragmented approach ignores how these elements interweave and influence each other. Women in their 50s are increasingly seeking holistic growth that honors these connections.

The standard narrative also overlooks the profound emotional and psychological growth potential of this life stage. Dr. Mary Pipher, author of “Women Rowing North,” notes: “Women in their 50s and 60s are in a new developmental stage with enormous potential for growth and transformation.”

The Counterintuitive Path to Being Growing

The secret to how to be growing after 50 often lies in embracing uncertainty rather than seeking stability. Research from the Harvard Study of Adult Development suggests that women who remain open to new experiences and challenges show greater cognitive flexibility and life satisfaction.

Instead of following predetermined paths, successful growth often comes from questioning our long-held beliefs and comfortable patterns. Many women discover that their most significant breakthroughs happen when they deliberately step into unfamiliar territory.

Consider the story of Janet, a 54-year-old executive who found herself stagnating in her comfort zone. Rather than following the expected path of gradually reducing her responsibilities, she launched a tech startup, combining her years of experience with fresh learning about digital innovation. Her story exemplifies how becoming growing often requires challenging our assumptions about age and capability.

Unconventional Strategies for How to Be Growing

Do the Opposite

Instead of seeking more structure and certainty, experiment with embracing chaos and uncertainty. This might mean taking improvisation classes, traveling solo without a fixed itinerary, or starting a project without knowing the outcome. These experiences create neural pathways that enhance adaptability and creativity.

Many women find that their greatest growth comes from deliberately choosing the unfamiliar. Sarah, a 58-year-old teacher, discovered new passion and purpose by teaching in a completely different cultural context, challenging everything she thought she knew about education.

Question Everything About Growing

Challenge every “should” in your life. Why do we assume certain activities or goals are appropriate for our age? Research shows that women who question societal expectations often create more authentic and fulfilling life paths.

Create a “question journal” where you examine your assumptions about aging, capability, and growth. Ask yourself: What would I do if I believed age was truly just a number? What dreams have I postponed because they didn’t fit the traditional timeline?

Embrace the Paradox

Sometimes, being less focused on growing actually leads to more growth. This counterintuitive approach allows for organic development rather than forced progress. When we release the pressure to grow in prescribed ways, we often find unexpected opportunities for expansion.

Practice what psychologists call “productive uncertainty” – the art of staying comfortable with not knowing. This might mean starting a project without a clear end goal or learning a new skill purely for the joy of discovery.

Real Women Share Their Growing Breakthroughs

Meet Maria, who at 62 decided to challenge the notion that technology was for younger generations. She now leads digital transformation workshops for senior executives, proving that being growing means defining success on your own terms.

Patricia, at 55, chose to reject the idea that women should become more reserved with age. She started a YouTube channel about adventure travel, building a community of thousands who share her passion for pushing boundaries.

These women exemplify how to be growing by creating their own definitions of progress and success. They’ve shown that growth after 50 isn’t about following a predetermined path but about blazing new trails.

Your Permission to Be Growing Differently

The most powerful realization about how to be growing after 50 is that there’s no single right way. Your path to growth might look different from everyone else’s – and that’s exactly as it should be. The key is to trust your instincts while remaining open to unexpected opportunities.

Remember that being growing isn’t about reaching a particular destination; it’s about maintaining curiosity and openness to life’s possibilities. As we navigate this rich and complex stage of life, we have the opportunity to redefine what growth means for ourselves and future generations of women.

Your journey of becoming growing is uniquely yours. Embrace the uncertainty, challenge the assumptions, and write your own rules. After all, the most meaningful growth often happens when we dare to deviate from the expected path and create something entirely new.