Have you ever felt a sense of restlessness? You look around and realize that you have been in the same situation or the same place for way too long? This is a period in life where contentment and familiarity become used as weapons for staying “stuck”. There is a difference between an unhealthy state of contentment and a healthy one. When you know that there is more opportunity and better situations, but you decide to stay on the same course, this then becomes unhealthy. Most times unhealthy contentment is due to fear. You are afraid of taking the next steps or just finding better. Staying stuck creates unhealthy comfort. You become too comfortable with your living situation or routine, and instead of you feeling a sense of true contentment, you constantly look around at where you are and become depressed. But one day restlessness kicks in and you finally say to yourself, “I can’t stay here anymore!”. This is when you know that it’s time to move forward. It is time for growth. Restlessness can be looked at as an internal timer that says to you, “Now is the time, let’s make a change!”

Healthy contentment is when you are able to find peace in your situation. You have accomplished what you wanted and you are where you want to be. Instead of you always wanting the next new thing, you are actually content with what you have in life. You have allowed yourself to grow. It is a natural human right to aim for better. In order for this change to happen you have to listen to that sense of restlessness and begin to analyze why you are constantly getting that feeling. What needs to change? What part of your life needs to grow? Only when you take the time to really challenge that restless spirit, will you be able to understand what the next steps should be.

Once you have figured it out, begin to make a plan. If you are not able to make an immediate change, then make a reasonable timeline that will allow you to financially or emotionally take the next step. This is important because you do not want to move without the ability to sustain yourself. Talk to someone who can hold you accountable for your progress so you don’t talk yourself out of it. Remember, growth can be scary, but it is rewarding. Think of the rewards that it will bring instead of the fear, then you will have the motivation to move forward.