Everyone grows older, but not everyone gets any wiser. If you want to be the best version of yourself, then you know that you never stop learning and growing. It’s a lifelong process, but it’s not always clear if you’re making any progress. Below are some signs that you’re not just growing in age, but growing in spirit.
1. You’re Jaded By Drama.
You might have secretly thought drama was entertaining once upon a time, but lately, you can’t help but be embarrassed when it unfolds. A sign that you’ve grown wiser is recognizing that there are more mature ways to handle conflict, and if others can’t behave like adults, you’re not sure you want to associate with them.
2. You Don’t Feel Like Posting On Social Media As Much.
It’s not that you want to go off the grid completely, but you don’t feel the need to post everything that’s going on in your life online anymore. When you do post, it’s because you want to capture a moment. You don’t feel like a loser if your mom is the only one to like it either.
3. You’re Outgrowing Some Of Your Friends.
Suddenly not being able to stand your friends might indicate that you’ve grown. If things you used to find funny now agitate you, it’s not a sign that your friends changed, but rather, you did. Sadly, not everyone grows at the same pace or in the same direction. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your friends, either, but you’re on different paths now. You don’t have to cut them out but the friendship probably won’t go back to the way things were before.
4. You Need A Change.
If you’ve started feeling restless or like your life isn’t right for you anymore, you’re not just growing older, but wiser. This means you’re no longer comfortable being stagnant and it’s time to close this chapter of your life so you can move on to bigger and better things. Recognizing that it’s time to move into a new phase, no matter how scary change might be, is a positive sign.
5. You Take Better Care Of Yourself.
As you grow wiser, you begin to realize that you’re not invincible and your youth will fade. This means you start taking better care of your body, whether it’s fixing your posture, forcing yourself to make that dentist appointment you’ve been putting off, or eating more vegetables.
6. You’re More Secure In Yourself.
To tie into the point above, you probably still put effort into your appearance but you’re no longer fussing about every fine line, pore, or stray eyebrow hair. You know perfection is impossible, and don’t feel ashamed of being human anymore. After all, we all have pores, it’s not a big deal.
7. You Set Boundaries.
Younger people struggle to set boundaries and advocate for themselves because we’re raised to be agreeable, even at our own expense. As you gain more wisdom you realize how you feel matters too. Sometimes you need to have uncomfortable conversations with loved ones to protect your well-being.
8. You Know What You Want.
When you’re young, it’s so easy to spend your time trying to make your family proud or feeling like you have to be successful in a conventional sense. It’s all well and good if your career makes your family proud and is fulfilling for you. However, a sign of wisdom is finally realizing that the most important thing is your happiness. If your job is soul-destroying, no amount of money or praise is worth it. Once you’re ready to walk away from things that are no longer serving you, even if it means others will judge, you’ve grown up.
9. You’re Accountable.
As you gain more wisdom, you start to challenge your own ego. If you make a mistake, you now fess up and learn from it, instead of burying your head in the sand in shame or doubling down. You’re all about confronting your shortfalls so you can improve on them in the future.
10. You’re Not Reactive.
You handle conflict much better these days and understand that you don’t need to raise your voice to hold your own. You always take a breather and consider the information at hand before doing anything. If someone confronts you, you try to defuse the situation and talk about it rationally when everyone has cooled down.
11. You Have Realistic Expectations Of Loved Ones.
Although you’re important to the people in your life, you’ve begun to recognize that you’re not the center of anyone’s world but your own. This means you don’t take it personally if one of your friends needs to prioritize meeting a work deadline over hanging out. Although you still have some expectation that your friends will be there for you, you also know there’s only so much they can give.
12. You’re More Private.
A lesson you might have already learned is that not everyone is trustworthy. You might guard your friends’ secrets with your life, but that doesn’t mean they do the same. As you gain wisdom, you feel compelled to share less about your business – or at least, are more selective about who gets to hear it.
13. You Don’t Care What People Think.
The most freeing part of gaining wisdom is no longer caring about what people think. You don’t try to fit in or blindly keep up with trends you don’t even like anymore. If someone thinks you’re cheugy because you still do your make-up like it’s 2016, you don’t care as long as it makes you feel good.
14. You’re Comfortable Being Alone.
A lot of people find the idea of doing anything alone cringe. As you grow wiser, you realize it doesn’t matter. You refuse to miss out on opportunities just because no one wants to join you. If it means going to a concert alone, so be it. Everyone else there will be too busy having a good time to pay attention to the fact that you’re not with anyone.
15. You Mind Your Business.
These days, you’re focused on your own life and bettering yourself. You no longer feel the need to lurk through your ex’s Instagram or find out what everyone you went to school with is up to. You don’t wish ill on anyone but recognize that how they are isn’t your business.
16. You Know You Don’t Know Everything.
Truly wise people know they still have a lot of learning to do. Finally admitting to yourself that you don’t know everything means you’re on the right path.
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