It can be difficult to know when we’ve truly “up-levelled” our lives. We may think that reaching certain milestones in our lives will bring us the happiness and fulfillment we seek but true personal growth comes from within, and it’s not always easy to recognize when we’ve made significant progress on our journey.
One way to evaluate whether you’ve up-levelled your life is by paying attention to how you react to triggering situations. We all have our own set of triggers – things that set us off, whether it’s a comment from someone that rubs us the wrong way, a stressful situation at work, or a disagreement with a loved one.
In the past, you may have reacted to these triggers with anger, frustration, or resentment. But as you grow and develop as a person, you may find that you’re able to approach these situations with a different perspective. Instead of getting upset, you may be able to take a step back and look at the situation from a different angle.
For example, perhaps someone said something that initially upset you. In the past, you may have lashed out or let your emotions get the best of you. You may have wanted to blame the other person, or feel the absolute need to justify something even if the only purpose it serves is to fuel the fire, or make an unnecessary point. But now, you’re able to pause and think about the situation. You may even be able to let go of your initial reaction and respond in a more measured, compassionate way.
A great way to do this is: “Before you speak ask yourself if what you are going to say is true, is kind, is necessary, is helpful. If the answer is no, maybe what you are about to say should be left unsaid.” – Bernard Meltzer.
This shift in perspective and response is a sign that you’ve up-levelled your life. It means that you’ve developed a greater understanding of yourself and others, and you’re able to approach challenging situations with more emotional intelligence and resilience.
Of course, it’s important to remember that personal growth is a continuous process, and it’s natural to have setbacks along the way. The more you practice responding to triggers in a different way, the more you’ll be able to up-level your life and find greater happiness and fulfillment in the long run.
