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Growth is something that doesn't happen in a day. You won't even know you're growing until you begin to realize that something is changing in your thinking and how you do things. For me, the time I knew I was growing was when I stopped buying unnecessary things. I used to love saving from childhood, but when I opened my savings box, I'd just use the money to buy things that weren't relevant. However, when I realized I was growing, I started thinking twice before buying anything. I'd ask myself, "Why do I need this? What's its usefulness? What value will it add to me?" I don't just buy things anymore; I buy things that are valuable and relevant to me.
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Another thing that showed me I was growing was when my mom stopped buying Christmas clothes for me and my younger sister. She'd tell us to buy them ourselves. I remember when she'd take us to clothes stores and let us select the clothes and shoes we wanted. Those times, we'd be excited, checking out clothes every day, waiting for Christmas to come quickly. But now, she's telling us we're grown enough to buy our own clothes. And Christmas clothes don't even excite us like they used to. If I buy clothes, great; if I don't, it's okay. I'll just wear any clothes I have in my wardrobe to church that day. I'd rather buy something more valuable that I need at that time. I'm not saying Christmas clothes aren't valuable, but I can wear any clothes I have in my wardrobe.

I know I've grown when I started paying for some things myself without my parents' assistance. When I started paying for productive classes myself instead of using the money for irrelevant things. Another thing that tells me I'm grown is when I started going to the market myself to price things. Before, I loved having my mom follow me to the market because she'd negotiate the price for me, like a typical African mom. But as I grew, I started feeling ashamed of how she'd haggle prices. I said to myself, "It's enough." Now, I go to the market myself and negotiate prices for whatever I want to buy.

Another thing I've realized is that I don't think of myself alone anymore; I think of others too. Before I take action, I consider whether it will hurt anyone. I know I've grown. When I started thinking about how to invest in my future and become a better version of myself, I knew I had grown. When I started buying quality clothes and shoes that will last 
longer instead of trendy wears, and stopped competing with friends who buy trendy clothes, I knew I had grown.

Looking back, I realize that growth is a journey, not a destination. It's the little moments, the subtle changes in our thoughts and actions, that shape us into who we are today. I'm grateful for the lessons I've learned and the experiences that have helped me grow. 

I love this topic, thanks to the organizers of hiveghana weekly prompt.
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