My Inner Self Healing

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Another year, still growing strong
Laugh lines growing where they belong
Here’s to me, and all I have done
Happy birthday to me, now let’s have some fun.

Birthdays often come with a mix of emotions—celebration, nostalgia, and sometimes a bit of introspection. Turning another year older isn’t just about adding a number; it’s about acknowledging the lessons learned and the wisdom gained. It’s about recognizing the challenges that have shaped us, the joys that have uplifted us, and the moments that have defined us.

Birthdays are reminders that while time moves forward, we have the power to choose how we move with it—whether by holding on to old patterns or embracing the changes that come with experience. As I reflect on this birthday, I find myself filled with gratitude for the journey so far and excitement for the possibilities that lie ahead. It’s a reminder that every year is another chapter in the story of life, and I’m both the author and the main character.

In this blog, I thought I’d share some of the lessons I’ve learned over this last year:

• Happiness is a choice.
  We can choose to chase that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, or we can choose to admire the rainbow. It’s all a matter of choice. The past year had more downs than ups, but I made a conscious choice to be happy. I’m currently running a challenge for myself to share a daily poem on the platforms throughout August, focusing on things that make me happy and grateful. The reason I did this was to force myself to look for something good each day instead of negatively spiraling down.

• You can’t control everything—focus on what you can change.
  Dealing with life changes and unlearning the habit of being a people-pleaser can set your world in chaos. I’ve had to learn to let things just be and let go (as hard as that can be). You can’t please everyone, and it’s also not your responsibility to do so. Life is full of uncertainties, and trying to control every aspect only leads to frustration. Instead, I’ve learned to channel my energy into areas where I can make a real difference, allowing me to find peace amidst the chaos. By focusing on what I can change, I’ve discovered a newfound sense of empowerment and clarity in my decisions.

• Growth happens outside your comfort zone.
  Being on a self-healing journey, I’ve realized that the learning never stops. You see people’s posts, stories, reels, blogs, and whatnot, and you shake your head in agreement. Then you say, “If only I had the time, the energy, the money…” (the list goes on), “I would do the same.” The reality is, I used those excuses because I got comfortable in those situations. Growth happens when you take action towards the change you want to see in yourself. Staying stagnant never leads to growth. If I want my life to evolve, I must be open to evolving myself, even if it’s uncomfortable at times.

• You don’t have to have it all figured out—take it one step at a time.
  This has got to be the scariest lesson I’ve learned so far. When I quit my job in the corporate world, I always knew what I wanted to do but didn’t actually know how to be a business owner. All I (still) wanted to do was to guide and help people, but I felt like a headless chicken running around and not getting anywhere. Breaking my goal into steps has given me more confidence in achieving my end goal. I’m learning to take it one step at a time.

• Perfection is an illusion—embrace imperfection.
  Embracing imperfection has made me love myself more and freed up time I’d spent obsessing over perfecting things. I never thought I would post videos of myself because my voice is strange, my hair unruly, and my teeth are terrible. But I am imperfect, and that makes up part of my uniqueness. If I spend all my time worrying about how I look, I take away time from helping and guiding others. To me, the latter is what I value most and is important to me.

• Don’t compare your journey to others—everyone’s path is unique.
  It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others, especially in a world where everyone’s achievements are on display. But comparing our journey to someone else’s is like comparing apples to oranges—each path is unique, shaped by individual experiences, choices, and circumstances. What we see of others is often just the highlight reel, not the full story. When we focus too much on what others are doing, we lose sight of our own progress and the unique beauty of our path. Embracing the idea that everyone’s journey is different allows us to celebrate our own milestones, however big or small, and to find fulfillment in our personal growth. At the age of 43, I would never have thought I’d be starting a new business, making a career change, and living life with a whole new outlook. Yes, it is scary, but the possibilities are endless now that I’ve stopped counting goalposts.

• You are stronger than you think—trust in your resilience.
  Having overcome so many life challenges, I can say with authority that I am resilient. At the time, you never think you are, but you are. I remember so clearly wanting to give up after having the roughest time in the hospital. I was tired, drained, and had lost all hope when my phase 2 (of supposedly 3) operation went south, and I had to have three surgeries in the space of two weeks. I didn’t think I could manage another operation. There were so many tears. My doctor said, “You are strong and brave to have gone through everything you have so far, and it might not seem like it now, but in a few years’ time, you will look back at this and it will just be a distant memory.” Those words still ring true in my ears every time a new challenge comes my way.

• There are lessons to be learned from every experience.
  Every experience, whether it brings joy or challenges, carries a lesson. Looking back, I can see how each moment has contributed to my growth. The tough times taught me resilience, while the good times reminded me of life’s beauty. Embracing every experience as an opportunity to learn has allowed me to move forward with a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me.

• Time is not just a measure of minutes and hours.
  It’s an experience. Doing one minute of something you hate versus one minute of something you love does not feel like the same 60 seconds. I’ve learned that the way we spend our time greatly influences how we perceive it. One minute spent doing something I love feels like a moment of bliss, while a minute spent on something I dislike can feel like an eternity. This has taught me to prioritize activities that bring joy and fulfilment, making every minute count.

• If your eyes open in the morning, you are still living.
  Waking up each day is a simple yet profound reminder that I’m still here, still alive, and still able to make a difference. It’s easy to take this for granted, but I’ve learned to see each new day as a fresh opportunity—a chance to create, love, learn, and grow. As long as my eyes open in the morning, I know I have another shot at life, and that’s something to be grateful for.now I have another shot at life, and that’s something to be grateful for.

I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the areas of your life where you may be trying to control too much. Identify what’s within your power to change and focus your efforts there. Let go of the rest, and see how much lighter and more empowered you feel when you direct your energy toward what truly matters.

As I end this post, I’m reminded that every year, every experience, and every lesson learned is a gift. Birthdays aren’t just about celebrating another year of life; they are about acknowledging the journey, embracing the growth, and looking forward to what lies ahead. Life is an ongoing adventure, filled with ups and downs, challenges and triumphs. By choosing happiness, embracing imperfection, and trusting in my resilience, I’m ready to continue writing my story—one that I hope will inspire others to live fully, love deeply, and grow continuously. Here’s to another year of growth, learning, and endless possibilities.

Yours celebrating,
Amisha