The Slow Burn of Success: A Love Letter to Growth

Dear Growth,

I never thought I’d write this, but I owe you an apology.

For years, I was impatient with you. I wanted everything to happen right away—success, recognition, progress. I chased after it all, thinking that if I just worked hard enough, stayed up long enough, pushed through fast enough, I’d get there sooner. “There” being some mythical destination where I’d finally feel accomplished. But I’ve come to realize that rushing things hasn’t brought me any closer to what really matters.

So, dear Growth, I’m here to say: I see you. I’m sorry for ignoring your slow, steady process. I understand now that real progress takes time—and that’s what makes it so worthwhile.

Let me share my story.

Success can be like watching a pot of water boil. You stand there waiting, and nothing seems to be happening—but beneath the surface, it’s all coming together. If you’re constantly in a rush to see results, you’ll miss the quiet growth that’s unfolding.

A Moment of Realization

I’ll be honest, I used to be obsessed with timelines. "By this age, I’ll achieve this. By that age, I’ll hit that milestone." But life doesn’t follow your neat, little plan.

After completing my master’s in Clinical Psychology, I had a clear vision for my next step: clearing the MPhil entrance exam and becoming a licensed clinical psychologist. I gave it everything I had, but when the results came in—I didn’t make it. I felt like I had failed, not just in the exam but in life. My sense of accomplishment was tied to that one result.

But here’s what I learned: growth doesn’t always look like we expect it to.

Instead of jumping into something else in panic, I slowed down. I enrolled in a diploma program for child guidance and counseling. Turns out, it was exactly what I needed! It wasn’t part of my original plan, but as I sat in those classes and engaged with new perspectives, I realized that sometimes, detours are the best routes. What felt like a setback turned out to be a huge stepping stone in my personal and professional journey. This course opened doors and insights I never would have gained if I had been too focused on my rigid idea of success.

The Comparison Trap

We all do it—scroll through social media, see someone crushing it, and think, "Why am I not there yet?" I’ve been guilty of comparing my journey to others’ highlight reels. And every time, it leaves me feeling discouraged.

But the truth is, success doesn’t happen overnight, no matter what Instagram tells you.

Take Dr. Tara Swart, for example. She didn’t just wake up one day as a neuroscience expert. Her career evolved over years of study, experience, and—yes—failures. Dr. Swart’s “slow burn” approach allowed her to grow authentically, and that’s why she’s a respected name today.

The same goes for Roxie Nafousi. As a manifestation expert, she often talks about her personal struggles before she reached where she is now. She went through setbacks and rejections, and it took years to refine her path. The lesson here is that slow, intentional growth often leads to the most meaningful success.

Why Patience Matters

Here’s a truth we all need to accept: Rushing can actually hurt your growth. When we focus on quick wins, we miss the depth of learning, the small shifts, and the long-term transformations that come with patience.

Fast success is often like a sugar rush—it feels good in the moment, but it doesn’t last. True, sustainable success takes time to build.

As I learned from my own detour, being patient doesn’t mean you’re stuck. It means you’re allowing things to unfold at the right pace. Every detour, every slow-down moment, is teaching you something valuable. It’s about trusting the process.

The Slow Burn Mindset

So how do you shift from the “I need it now” mindset to a more patient approach?

1. Celebrate Small Wins – Success isn’t just the big milestones; it’s the little steps along the way. Take time to acknowledge each one.
2. Trust the Process – Remind yourself that even if you can’t see the results right now, things are happening beneath the surface.
3. Stop Comparing – Other people’s success doesn’t diminish your own journey. Your timeline is yours for a reason.
4. Shift Your Focus – Rather than chasing results, focus on becoming the best version of yourself. The results will follow.

The next time you feel like you’re falling behind or not reaching your goals fast enough, remember: real success is a slow burn. Take your time, put in the work, and trust that what’s meant for you will come when it’s supposed to.

So, let’s accept the long road, the unhurried pace, and the quiet victories that happen along the way. Because when success does come, it’ll feel all the sweeter knowing that you didn’t rush the process—you honored it.

Your Turn: Let Go of the Rush

If you’re reading this and feeling the weight of impatience on your shoulders, I’m here to tell you: Let it go. You don’t need to rush. Your growth, your progress, and your success will come in their own time, just as mine did. And when they do, you’ll be ready to handle them because you’ll have earned them—not through speed, but through patience and persistence.

So, here’s to the slow burn. Here’s to building something that lasts. And here’s to trusting the process, one slow, intentional step at a time.

Stay patient. Stay focused. The best is yet to come.

With warmth and patience,

Shruti

Breaking Illusion

KnowYourSoul.in

P.S. If you’re feeling rushed, take a breath. Your time will come—trust that.