Behind the Glow

There comes a moment when you realize…….

You’ve outgrown where you are.

Not because something is wrong.

Not because you’re unhappy.

But because something in you is ready for more.

And that’s exactly where I found myself.

This isn’t the first time I have felt like this…..And who knows if it will be the last. In all honesty growth is scary but necessary in order to become a better version of yourself.

The first time I ever felt I outgrown a place was when I finished high school and was in my home state Ohio. I was full of emotions and quite frankly I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t scared.

I Was.

I have never moved out of state before, let alone out of my mom’s house.

I had no job. No plans for college. No goals. Nothing.

Just someone looking for a change.

Now I wouldn’t call what happened to me luck. Things such as getting a job/career I loved, becoming valedictorian in my esthetics instructors’ program and an honor roll student, meeting a supportive boyfriend and people/ friends along the way.

So, as I was saying no it wasn’t luck.

I had my fair share of lows and highs as well, but you see the funny thing about life is that everything is already set in stone as some may say.

Whatever will be, will be.

Although I love teaching, I have reached that feeling once more.

The outgrown stage.

Education will always be something in me at my core but in order to get to that next phase in my career goals I have to be able to give up this comfort in order to grown into a better version.

When Comfort Starts to Feel Limiting

For a long time, I was comfortable.

I have a Position I was proud of.

Students I genuinely cared about and loved having in class.

A routine that felt familiar and safe.

And there’s nothing wrong with that.

But at some point, comfort can start to feel…..limiting towards bigger goals or aspirations.

Like I was capable of more, but I wasn’t fully stepping into it yet.

And at times that can be a hard feeling to sit with because it forces you to ask yourself two main questions:

• Am I staying because I’m growing or because I’m comfortable?
• Will missing out on other opportunities make me have regrets in the future?
  

Something I ask my students from time to time is “How do you measure success?” Every class I’ve asked this to always agrees that success looks different to everyone. Although some may say they think I am successful or well accomplished to me I am still just beginning.

I would like to think of myself as a role model to my students past and present so with that being said what kind of a role model would I be if I was too scared to go after my goals or put myself out there.

So, this time around I am pushing myself to grow for me and them. To be better able to assist them and guide them through all phases in the industry.

The Dream That Won’t Leave You Alone

One thing I’ve realized about myself is that I don’t just want to be “in” this industry.

I want to make a name for myself in it.

I want to understand skin on a deeper level…. not just the basics, but the why behind everything.

How the skin functions.

How internal health connects to external results.

How treatments, ingredients, and lifestyle all work together.

I want to grow not just as an esthetician, but within overall health and wellness.

To expand my scope.

To continue learning.

To evolve.

And when you have a vision like that, staying in the same place for too long starts to feel like you may be holding yourself back in some areas.

Choosing Growth Over Comfort

The truth is…. choosing growth is uncomfortable.

It looks like:

• Leaving what’s familiar
• Stepping into the unknown
• Taking risks that don’t always make sense to everyone else

It’s not always the “safe” decision.

But it’s the one that aligns with who you’re becoming.

And I had to be honest with myself about that. I had to realize that in order to stand out and get closer to my goals.

Growth will never happen if everything feels easy. It happens when you expand your mind and stretch yourself to endless possibilities.

Telling My Students

One of the hardest parts of this decision ultimately was telling my students.

If you’re an instructor, you will understand that your class becomes more than just your class.

You watch them grow.

You guide them.

You build relationships with them.

To me each class holds a special place in my heart. They are all like family to me. They teach me just as much as I teach them just in different ways. They inspire me and make me feel as though I can achieve anything. They trust me and look to me for any advice since they love to say that “I know everything”. Although some students tell me how memorable I am to them, they will truly never know how crucial of a role they played in my life present and future.

So, sitting down and telling them I was leaving wasn’t easy for me.

There were a lot of mixed emotions.

For them.

For me as well.

But it also reminded me of something important:

Part of being a good instructor is not just teaching the material it’s showing them what growth looks like in real life.

Even when it’s hard.

Even when it’s emotional.

Because one day, they’ll be in a position where they have to choose between staying comfortable and stepping into something more.

And I hope they remember that it’s okay to choose growth.

Starting a New Chapter

This next chapter of my life looks way different.

A new city.

A new environment.

New opportunities.

And honestly…. a lot of unknown.

But instead of letting that scare me, I’m choosing to see it as a possibility.

Because every step forward is bringing me closer to the version of myself, I’ve been envisioning.

The Bigger Picture

If you’re in a place right now where you feel that pull, that feeling that there’s more for you….

Listen to it.

It doesn’t mean you have to have everything figured out.

It doesn’t mean it won’t be scary.

But it does mean you’re growing.

And sometimes, the biggest risk you can take is staying in the same place for too long.

So, here’s to the End of Beginning

The Takeaway

Choosing growth over comfort isn’t always easy.

But it’s necessary.

Because the life, you’re meant to step into will always require you to leave something behind first.

And if you’re willing to trust yourself through that process……

You might just surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.

Just trust me you’ll be fine.

Join The Conversation

Have you ever had to choose between staying comfortable and going after something more?

What did that decision look like for you?

Let’s talk about it!

Don’t forget to like and subscribe down below, because we’re all just out here trying to glow (and figure it out) together.

behindtheglowstudio@gmail.com