Blind to Your Own Progress

We have a unique relationship with ourselves. We’re often our most loyal supporter, our lone advocate, and our biggest believer. Yet, there are two sides to this coin. Equally, we are our harshest critic. Our internal narratives write themselves endlessly. Self-fixation is inevitable, be it positive or negative.

In one respect, it is easy to view yourself through your own eyes. Walk up to a mirror. Give yourself a wave. Ruffle your hands through your hair. There you are. You can recognise day-to-day physical changes without much trouble.

But putting a mirror to your mind? Difficult. The web we’ve spun up there is tough to track. Usually, we can’t recall what we were thinking about, or feeling, an hour ago. Precisely because we’re unable to disassociate with our identity and constant self-talk, the view appears foggy whenever we try to zoom out. You rub the mirror with the back of your hand, over and over, but the steam always returns the next instant.

Thus, we struggle to see internal change. The ways in which we think and behave and perceive differently. Because we can’t make out a clear picture, we assume we must’ve regressed. Or, that things are as they’ve always been. So often, we’re blind to our own progress. Other people can see it though. Your family notices. Your friends. Trust them next time they pick up on some way in which you’ve changed. Maybe you have.

There exists a prescription that can improve your vision here, though. Take time to observe yourself. Objectively. Not the stories you’ve created for yourself, but reality, in any given moment. Write things down. Make introspection a habit in your life, so that, by default, you have to look inwards from time-to-time. Perhaps then, when you gaze back over physical pages you’ve written, notes you’ve made, and spontaneous translations of your sporadic thoughts, you’ll have a glimpse into a clearer mirror.

You’ve probably made much more progress than you think, along whatever path you’re travelling. Sure, you might’ve missed a turn here and there, but you’re closer than where you started. Just because you’re blind to the change you’ve created doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Make time to see the bigger picture when you can and occasionally you’ll be amazed. You’re doing great. You’ve come a long way. Eventually, you’ll see it for yourself.