11 signs you’re growing as a person, even if it feels slow

You know that feeling when it seems like everyone else is zooming ahead while you’re in slow motion? 

I hear you, I’ve been there too.

But here’s the deal: growth isn’t always noticeable. Sometimes it’s quiet, subtle, and happens over time. 

Personal growth isn’t always a dramatic, fireworks-display kind of transformation.

And in this article, I’m going to show you why. Let’s explore 11 telltale signs that you’re growing as a person, even when it seems like you’re barely moving an inch. 

1) Your circle of friends has changed

Ever had a moment where you looked around at your friends and thought, “We used to have so much in common, what happened?” 

Believe it or not, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. 

Why, you might ask?

Well, as you grow and evolve, your interests, values, and even your sense of humor might change. The result?

You start seeking out friends who mirror your growth, challenge your thoughts, and inspire you to be a better version of yourself. 

Remember that one friend from high school who was fun at parties, but now all you want is a friend to share a quiet coffee with and talk about books, dreams, or existential crises? 

That’s growth and it’s a good thing.

2) Reacting? No, you’re responding

I bet there has been a time when you might have exploded at the smallest inconvenience. 

The traffic jam, the spilled coffee, the rude comments. 

Sounds familiar? 

But something’s changed. 

Now, instead of reacting impulsively, you pause, breathe, and think before you act. You’re trading knee-jerk reactions for mindful responses. 

What has changed?

Well, the thing is you’re beginning to pay more attention to your reactions. 

And if you’re wondering why, ask yourself, “Why am I reacting this way?” 

You’re not just reacting anymore, you’re responding mindfully. And let me tell you, that’s a big step forward!

3) You know how to let go of what you can’t control

Here’s an interesting fact: psychologists believe that traumatic events can lead to something called post-traumatic growth. 

It’s when adversity helps us mature and become more resilient. 

Let me explain what I mean.

In life, there will be things that are simply out of your hands. The delayed flight, the sudden downpour, the Wi-Fi outage during your favorite show. 

Frustrating, right? 

But then you start to realize that getting all worked up doesn’t change the situation. 

So instead, you take a deep breath, shrug it off, and adapt. You’re learning to focus on things you can control and letting go of those you can’t. 

And that shift? That’s a surefire sign of personal growth.

4) Imperfections? You think they’re beautiful

Does the word “perfection” now sound more like a trap than a goal to you? 

I bet that’s because you’re growing!

You’re beginning to understand that chasing perfection is like trying to catch a cloud – it’s impossible and exhausting. 

What you’re doing now is embracing the art of imperfection. You’re starting to see that it’s your unique quirks, the so-called ‘flaws,’ that make you special. 

That childhood scar, your infectious giggle, your dreadful cooking – they all add up to the beautiful mosaic that is you. 

So, here’s the thing:

If you’ve started to see the beauty in imperfection, it’s a sign you’re maturing. 

5) You’re becoming your own best friend

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you were your worst enemy? That voice in your head criticizing every move you made? 

But now, it feels different. 

You’ve stopped beating yourself up over every small mistake. Instead, you’ve started to treat yourself with kindness and compassion, just as you would a close friend. 

But wait, I’m not saying that this is because your circle of friends has reduced or that you’re isolating yourself from the world. 

Far from it! 

What’s really happening is an internal shift.

You’re becoming more self-reliant, and not in an “I-don’t-need-anyone” sort of way. 

You’ve started to see the value in being your own cheerleader, treating yourself with the same respect and care you offer to others. 

So, guess what?

It’s about recognizing that self-love isn’t selfish. In fact, it’s necessary.

6) Seeking solitude isn’t scary anymore

Speaking of being comfortable with yourself, remember the times when being alone felt frightening?

Well, if you’ve noticed a change in that feeling, you’re on the right track. 

Now, you cherish your alone time. 

Let’s take an example.

Maybe, in the past, you’d dreaded having a free weekend all to yourself. The thought of not having plans or people around might have seemed daunting. 

But now?

A free weekend looks like a golden opportunity. It’s a chance for you to catch up on your reading, work on that painting you’ve been putting off, or maybe just relax and do absolutely nothing.

Transforming solitude from a source of fear to a source of peace? That’s a real mark of growth.

7) Growth mindset — your new normal

Let’s admit it: most of us often say things like, “I can’t do this, it’s just not my thing”.

But hold on. Have you noticed that you’re starting to replace this self-defeating language with a more positive, growth-oriented one? 

Are you moving from “I can’t” to “I’ll try”?

If that phrase is slowly fading from your vocabulary, congratulations! Welcome to your new normal: a growth mindset.

This means you’re adopting a growth mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities to learn, rather than obstacles. 

So, that painting class you thought you’d be terrible at? You’re now willing to give it a shot because you realize the power of practice and persistence.

In short, failing doesn’t scare you; it’s just another stepping stone on your journey.

8) What matters? You’ve figured it all out

I can’t deny that it’s easy to get lost and focus on the wrong things. I mean, the latest gadgets, the coolest clothes, the trendiest diets. 

But as you grow, you start to realize what truly matters to you. 

Remember the days when you’d get caught up in the rat race, chasing after things you didn’t even want, just because everyone else was doing it?

Perhaps you were working for a promotion that didn’t excite you or buying the latest gadgets even when the older ones worked perfectly fine.

But let me guess, something’s changed now, right?

Now, you’ve started to differentiate between what really matters and what doesn’t. 

The thing is you’ve figured out what makes you happy, what makes you tick. It’s not about keeping up with the Joneses anymore, it’s about keeping up with yourself. 

This shift in perspective doesn’t mean you’re becoming boring. It just means you’re growing. 

9) Fear of failure? Not anymore!

Who hasn’t been afraid of failure at some point? That icy grip that held you back, whispering “What if you fail?” every time you thought of trying something new?

Let’s face it: we’ve all been there.

But let me ask you this: lately, do you feel that fear loosening its grip on you?

If you’ve started seeing failure not as a scary monster, but as a teacher, then you’re undoubtedly growing. 

You’ve realized that every stumble, every fall, is just another stepping stone on your path to success.

The best part?

You’ve started to understand that it’s okay to fall, as long as you pick yourself up, dust off, and keep going.

Here’s what it means:

You’re embracing the truth that failure isn’t the end of the road, but an integral part of the journey to success. It’s not about falling down, but about getting back up, learning, and pushing forward.

10) You’ve got a gratitude attitude

Gratitude was perhaps once a word you only encountered during Thanksgiving. But now? 

It’s become a part of your daily vocabulary. 

Just think about it.

Every morning, you find yourself expressing gratitude for the little things – the warmth of the sun, the fresh morning air, the taste of your favorite breakfast.

Maybe you keep a gratitude journal, jotting down what you’re thankful for each day. Or perhaps you find yourself thanking others more, appreciating their contributions to your life.

In either case, I bet you’ve started to appreciate the small things in life. 

Trust me, this shift towards gratitude has an amazing side effect – it can significantly increase your happiness levels. 

11) You’re comfortable in your own skin

And finally, let’s finish our list with the biggest sign of growth: you’re comfortable in your own skin.

Now I want you to take a moment and ask yourself: 

Do I feel at peace with who I am, imperfections and all?

If your answer is a resounding “Yes,” then give yourself a hearty round of applause. Why?

Because you’ve achieved what many spend their whole lives chasing: self-acceptance.

You’ve stopped trying to fit into the mold that society or others have set for you. You’ve abandoned the exhausting pursuit of becoming someone you’re not. 

Instead, you’ve embraced your true self, quirks, strengths, flaws, and all. You’ve understood that you’re a work in progress, and that’s okay. 

After all, it’s our imperfections that make us human, isn’t it?

And let me tell you, there’s no achievement more powerful than that!

What next? Taking personal growth further

After reading through these signs, do you find yourself nodding along, recognizing these changes in yourself? 

Well, that’s fantastic! You’re growing, evolving, and becoming a better version of yourself.

But personal growth is an ongoing journey. So, what next?

Here are 3 key takeaways to keep in mind throughout your personal growth journey:

1. Growth isn’t always noticeable.
2. You grow at your own pace, not anyone else’s.
3. Small, subtle signs can indicate significant growth.

Remember, in the grand journey of personal growth, every step forward, no matter how small, is a victory. Keep growing!