When I began writing my book, I was indecisive on what the title should be. I wanted something meaningful and beautiful, as it would be the first component people would look at. As I was searching for ideas, I stumbled upon “Blooming Anyway.”
I interpreted “Blooming Anyway” as being able to thrive and grow, even if there are hurdles along the way. It almost felt like a metaphor for myself, which was having the opportunity to publish a book and help others even if I was struggling with personal problems.
The more I thought about the title, the more I fell in love with it. I realized that “blooming” contrasts perfectly with flowers. Flowers go through rain, thunderstorms, droughts and much more. Somehow, they still manage to grow and bloom beautifully on their own. If we think about it, we are the same way. We go through obstacles that cause us to struggle and break down, but that only makes us stronger. We overcome hardships and still manage to stand strong, while gaining new wisdom and life lessons.
I also realized that there are a variety of flowers such as roses, peonies, lilies, dandelions, sunflowers etc. Every flower has their own unique characteristics that make them different and that’s the beauty about them. They never force themselves to grow into a different flower, for example roses don’t try becoming sunflowers. Each plant grows independently and silently without questioning whether it should be something else.
We are also the same way. Every human holds different traits and characteristics that make them distinct. Without this happening, there would be no variety and beauty on earth. We all have different cultures, traits, religions and personalities that create diversity within our world. As girls, we should all embrace the beauty behind our detailed features and unique personalities, but this isn’t always the case.
We don’t exactly contrast to flowers because many of us struggle with comparison, doubt and self-hatred. We could be scrolling on social media and begin to compare ourselves to others, which dims the confidence and light we own. We could critique small traits that begin to ruin our self confidence.
In simple terms, we’re human. It’s completely normal to feel insecure and fill our minds with negative thoughts, but that’s why ¨Blooming Anyway¨ is a phrase to always remember. It reminds us that we still have the ability to flourish, regardless of the negativity surrounding us. Whether that would be negative self talk, a draining environment or tough obstacles, we’re able to push through with confidence and win the battle.
When we’re in a season of unhappiness, a new cycle will recommence to start a fresh slate. Blooming is a beautiful process of becoming who we genuinely are, without doubts and insecurities clouding our mind. It’s choosing and putting ourselves first, even when it feels difficult. It’s finally accepting the flaws that weigh us down and forgiving ourselves from past mistakes.
Flowers don’t bloom in every season, they bloom when conditions allow them to. When the weather is finally warm and there’s sufficient sunlight, flowers begin to sprout up again. I’m stating this because growth isn’t forced, it happens when you’re ready.
I’ve had many encounters where I felt everything was falling apart academically, emotionally, socially and physically. Although in the moment it’s hard to sustain a positive mindset, it was important for me to recognize that my situation is temporary and soon better days will come. Blooming is allowing yourself to go through the roller coasters of life while learning new lessons to provide appropriate care for yourself.
To bloom is allowing ourselves to grow and move on regardless of the negativity swarming our life. So, keep learning and growing to allow yourself to bloom anyway. ♡
