# Saying Goodbye to Grow By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2024-02-12 When is it time to move on? When does one say this is enough from either frustration, learning everything, or an innate desire to continue exploration? It's hard to say when this moment will happen, but once it does, one will know it to be true. The question is how long it will take for one to take action. At different phases in one's life, one is either encouraged to leave or stay. Our culture encourages us to move on and find ourselves when we reach adulthood. Our culture encourages us to settle down and stay when we reach middle age. Note that these societal pressures have nothing to do with one's experience and growth. It is assumed that when one is younger, one should explore more often. Likewise, it is assumed that when one is older, one will be satisfied with life and choose to learn about the nuances of human existence as a stable 'homebody.' These heuristics and norms reflect the average and expected progression of adult maturity in the industrial age. However, each of us is on our unique path. Additionally, it may be unwise to think that older adults should cease learning and growing. After all, some ideas and concepts take a lifetime to master and understand. How much human progress is delayed by setting the norm that older adults should be satisfied with who they are and what they know by age 40? Moving on is the only way I know to grow. Thank those who helped you get to where you are, and then say goodbye if they choose to stay or drag you down. Start the next adventure. #### Related Items [[Growth]] [[Development]] [[Life]] [[Learning]] [[Age]] [[Society]] [[Progress]]