Physis, “The internal thrust to grow”. An old Greek word meaning our innate motivation towards growth which is found in all living organisms including us. Humans.

Physis happens regardless. From egg, to baby, to child and so on. We have no control over how our bodies change and grow as we age but we do have control over our own psychological and personal growth. You know, all those experiences that mould our decisions causing our unique way through life. What drives us from within and how society shapes that to be who we are as a person is so fascinating. Our environments and our cognitive development from day dot become the building blocks of who we are

These building blocks are made up of our behaviours, values and relationships that provide us with this psychological structure. They give us meaning, continuity and with that comes a certain predictability to our life. We kinda know what’s expected. We generally accept it. We go to school, maybe uni, find a job, seek a partner, marriage and for some, having a family is on the cards. These move us forwards to the point of where we might think we’ve made it and settled into this version of events that’s been played out our whole lives. These stages we go through are tried and tested. They are so familiar and familiarity makes us feel safe and secure.  But then what?

I think of these values and beliefs are like using a seatbelt. It keeps us safe on our journey. If we remove it then it would create an unnecessary risk to our life.  So, we keep it on because it’s the right thing to do. It’s what everyone else does. I mean why would you take such an unnecessary risk knowing what could happen? Cue gasps as you crash and fly out of the car. What indignity would we feel for such terrible mistake? Imagine the gossip of judgement that would echo from then on. But when it comes to our own consciousness and ingenuity, our own thoughts, curiosity’s and interests it’s this idea of ‘what we know keeps us safe’ that can be life limiting. Fear keeps us safe.

Yet these imaginary seatbelts of fear on our life choices simply don’t exist.  So, what is stopping us?  These restraints we put on ourselves only offer a false sense of security. It can prevent us exploring our curiosity. Our wild and wonderful interests and going after something we are drawn to or really want to try. Fear asks, what if we fail? What if we look stupid? What will everyone think? Is it daft? What if its a mistake? So maybe we just stay safe while ignoring regret we know will come knocking.

We abandon ourselves and pop the imaginary seatbelts on through this fear. We take the direct route and get there ahead of schedule and most probably like going to Asda, on autopilot. We missed the opportunities and bypassed our passions.

And to whose benefit?

After all life isn’t a race. The short cut maybe the most direct way but maybe take the scenic route, get lost even.

Crash the bloody car.

I envisaged at 25 years old I would be set. House, dream job, engaged with a picture-perfect family life ahead of me. Well, the car rolled that year, it crashed because I was unaware of the bumpy road and realised its actually not what I wanted for myself. I chose a new one and left my expectations by the roadside. I felt quite a lot of shame as I got out and walked past all the people who stood and watched. Disappointed with the mess I made. However, I survived the unknown. Despite being scared to death.

Physis is our personal growth and if we have the confidence to jump into the unknown and be inquisitive, we can create our own narrative and become who we really are outside our environment and everyone else. Should we ditch the map that made us too afraid to take off the seatbelt and walk away.

Don’t get me wrong, to confront this change, to question the continuity of our life and abandon what you know and choose for yourself, isn’t easy. Its icky as hell. After all, you’re fighting against its counterpart little Miss Homeostasis. The safe place to exist which surrounds us with our good old reliable values, beliefs and social norms. It’s super comfy here. Whereas, physis can be incredibly uncomfortable and difficult to find and as I already said it can be shit your pants scary.

The more I think about it, it’s bizarre how the suggestive thoughts of others or the way a person frowns at your ideas can make us so malleable and quiet. When all it does really is enable us to hide behind these outward identities and extrinsic values which only serve others and to provide these crappy self limiting beliefs and keep us trapped. Then boom, without realising it we become so scared of our own autonomy it becomes lost. We get stuck.

Let’s face it. By taking the road less travelled it is pretty much guaranteed to make us fall flat on our face many, many times. The predictability of our life disappears. And guess what? People will see you because you will stand out of the crowd. You are exposed. Some will look away if it but I know there are some that will cheer at such bravery and be inspired. After all, I hear successful people say that their success didn’t teach them anything but failure did. Everytime.

Imagine the freedom or even the ability to fail. To break those structures and re-build taking what you want and leaving what you don’t. To design a life that’s as unique as you are.

Listening, learning, changing, challenging, creating, having a go, making mistakes and a total tit of yourself. Being scared but doing it anyway. Could be fun and a laugh at the very least.

Question what you already know. I mean, do you really believe it? Are these your thoughts? What do you actually think and can you own it?

If we can see our own lives for what they are, OURS. Then maybe we could harness our bad ass self, thrust forward braving the leap of faith into our own integrity and provide ourselves the glorious opportunity to live more truthfully and authentically. What fires you up inside, what is it you crave and drives your interest? What are your beliefs, what do you value in your life?

We only get one go on this spinning rock of awesomeness and I need to remind myself of that every time fear tells me to put that seatbelt on.

Don’t leave it too late to go your own way.

What is your internal thrust to grow? Maybe put some fuel into that ride.

Physis. Cool as.