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Environment & Growth: How Does the Environment Affect Our Growth?

Charles Darwin (1809-1882) developed the theory of evolution, based on the notion of natural selection, and survival of the fittest. While this theory is very ancient and fundamentally archaic, it helps us understand the intersection between our environment, and our growth. Growth is dependent on our environment. In order to grow, we need to have the physical conditions that promotes growth.

In our lives, growth could be in our jobs, careers, romantic relationships, friendships, familial relationships, sense of self and life as a whole. Stuckness in our growth could simply be due to us being in an environment that is not conducive to our growth. For example not cultivating an environment where our romantic relationship thrive as a couple, means the relationship will not grow.

In our jobs and careers, we could be very fearful leaving our current role, and seek new opportunities professionally. That means we stay in the same environment and stop growing.

Our friendships and the relationships we create with others, are a significant part of our environment. You are likely to thrive if you surround yourself with people who inspire you, motivate you, challenge you and people you can learn from. At the same time, you are likely to wither, & feel depleted and not grow, if you around yourself with people who brings you down, and don’t have your interest at heart. Keeping these friendships mean our growth will be forever stunted as they, are hindering it.

Growth is multifaceted. Lack of awareness, or fear of change of environment means we could be stuck in a no growth zone for a very long time, with all the frustration that comes with it.

Growth only starts when we step out of the familiar and comfort environment. Whenever there is discomfort, or there is growth. It’s painful because we are stretching. And that’s how we grow.  Nothing  happens  in the comfort zone.

Our environment entails what we naturally get, and how much nurturance we get from others.

Role of the Environment

Our environment is key to our wellbeing (emotional & mental) and growth in life. To achieve optimum growth, we need an environment which promotes our wellbeing, so that we can be our authentic ourselves, thrive, & not have to hide certain aspects of ourselves. An environmental that is nurturing promotes exploration & sharing of ideas, thoughts, engagement, freedom of expression, creativity & makes us feel seen & heard. Winnicott (1953;  1965; 1971) gives emphasis to the role of the environment in facilitating growth. He postulates the necessity of having holding environment,  and the presence of an environmental mother who can create a safe space where the child can learn to play.

Our environment entails what is given to us naturally (sunlight) and the remainder- watering, fertiliser, cultivating, and culling is human made. It’s all part of the nurturance which we need for our environment in order to grow.

Internal Stuckness & External Environment

The internal sense of stuckness in life can be a result of our external environment. Its difficult to comprehend, yet very true. Our internal world and external environment are intricately linked, one affecting the other. It’s very easy to ignore that your stuckness maybe because you are in an environment that is not promoting your growth. At times the environment itself is directly causing your stuckness. Changing your environment is simply what needs to happen, in order for you to start thriving and bearing fruit.

3 Elements Behind Lack of Growth or Limited Growth

1-You are in the wrong environment.

2-Your environment doesn’t fully promote your growth, it may be stifling it.

3-You have stopped growing, your growth is elsewhere & the environment you are in no longer gives you the “nutrition” you need.

Plant & Tree Metaphors

If you put an orchid in direct sun light it dies. It thrives in misty and humid environments, away from direct sunlight. Orchids are indeed unique and beautiful. This is no exception. You need to know where to place your houseplants (environment) in order for them to thrive, otherwise they die. The same happens to us humans; we need to know which environment promotes our growth & stimulates the areas we are not growing. Without that, we do not grow because we are not in the right place.

A tree grows tall, with big leaves & becomes fruitful if it is in the right environment. While it is nourished in the roots, it’s environment is key to its overall growth. Plants & trees are either tropical or hardys & this determines the environment they thrive in. Palm trees are tropical plants which grows in warm, sunny climates, and even desert conditions. Some plants can’t survive in harsh weathers & others die in hot weathers. No matter how much you nourish the “roots”, there is no growth or limited growth, if you are in the wrong environment. The irony is that the things that make us grow are the ones we avoid the most. Why because they are not always pleasant.

We have a variety of plants species-some which thrive in dry conditions while others thrive in wet conditions. Lotus plant also known as a water lily is a beautify plant which produces beautiful flowers. It only grows in wet conditions.

While these metaphors are related to plants and trees, they also reflect our process as humans. We are constantly in the process of growing, each day, hour and minute, accounting to our growth. If we are in the wrong environment, our growth will be stunted. This is what Darwin considers to be survival of the fittest. Being in the wrong environment could mean end of survival and ultimate death of the species.

Know who you truly are, what things you are good at, and seek the right environment for it.

Questions to Ask Yourself about your growth and environment.

Career, Job, & Relationships

• Am I growing?
• What am l really good at?
• Who am l really am & who is my partner? What do we do together, are we learning & growing?
• What do I want to do that I cannot  do right now?
• Can I be myself?
• Am I valued?
• Am I seen?
• Am l heard?
• Do I have freedom of thought?
• Do I have freedom of expression?
• Am I safe to explore ideas & share them?

If you answered no to any of these questions, you may be in an environment that is impinging on your growth.

Some thoughts for consideration

Our environment is primary to our growth and well-being.

We cannot thrive in an environment where we cannot be ourselves and our needs are not met.

A lot of people find themselves stuck in painful situations because of fear of change and anxiety about stepping out of their comfort zones.

This is the growths zone. Internal change has to be mirrored by external change vice versa. You can’t grow in an environment that is not conducive to your growth.

In order for a tree or plant to grow flowers it needs rain & the sun. These conditions are not favourable as there maybe hail, thunder, scorching heat, wind and drought. Yet that’s what makes them grow.

As humans, our growth is also dependent on conditions that may feel very painful and unfavourable. However, only in the pain & discomfort lies our growth.

The last year may have been a year of disappointments, failures, loss, adversity, and lack, understand that it prepared you for a better future. Bearing it all is where your growth was.

You are more refined, stronger and you are more sophisticated.

No rain no flowers
No rain no fruits

If we don't have a rainy and wet environment, we cannot enjoy he beautiful flowers.

References:

Winnicott, D. W. (1953). Transitional objects and transitional phenomena; a study of the first not-me possession. The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 34, 89–97.

Winnicott, D.W. (1965) The M Aturational Processes and the Facilitating Environment, Madison, CT: International Universities Press.

Winnicott, D.W. (1971). Playing and Reality. London: Penguin.

Image Credit-OneHundredSeventyFive - Unsplash