Chapter 1: The Journey Begins

Today, I found myself sitting at the orthodontist's office with my youngest child, who is about to start her braces journey after a lengthy wait for her baby teeth to fall out. Interestingly, she’s had a total of 16 baby teeth extracted on two separate occasions, eight each time. Despite having adult teeth ready to erupt, the baby ones never loosened, not even slightly.

This situation might just highlight her body's and mind's tenacity. Nevertheless, she is finally prepared to begin. The initial phase involves separators, followed by an expander, and ultimately, brackets and wires.

Right now, she’s expressing discomfort, describing her teeth as feeling “like butt rn.” Little does she realize, this is just the beginning of a 27-month journey filled with discomfort, transformative changes, and a diet consisting mainly of mashed potatoes and jello.

As I observe my 15-year-old daughter grappling with this first small step, I can’t help but reflect on a broader truth: this marks the start of a lifetime of uncomfortable personal development.

Every endeavor to better oneself—be it mentally, physically, or emotionally—will entail challenges, uncomfortable moments, and a commitment to consistent effort. True progress cannot be achieved without dedication, forward movement, and adherence to one's responsibilities.

During her time with braces, she will need to follow specific guidelines to maintain her gum health and ensure her teeth shift correctly. Even once the brackets are removed, she’ll still need to wear a retainer to keep her new smile intact.

It’s intriguing why many adults, myself included, often shy away from the commitment and pain required for self-betterment. Frequently, after achieving a goal, we neglect to sustain our progress, reverting to old habits.

Perhaps if we had to report to someone or have regular check-ins regarding our growth, things would be different. While accountability partners are beneficial, they must be unafraid to point out when we are faltering and need to realign ourselves.

I can only support her for so long. In three years, she will be an adult, free to make her own decisions and establish her own habits—whether they are constructive or not. My hope is that she chooses wisely.

So, my dear child, absorb the lessons from your time with braces, and channel that commitment into other aspects of your life.

In the video titled "Hamza - The Pain Of Self-Development Depression," the speaker delves into the emotional struggles encountered during the journey of self-improvement, emphasizing the importance of resilience through discomfort.

Chapter 2: The Dark Side of Self-Improvement

In "The Dark Side of Self Improvement" by Suzanne Eder at TEDxWilmington, she discusses the often-overlooked challenges and pitfalls of striving for personal growth, urging viewers to recognize and navigate these complexities.

If you would like to stay connected with my journey, I will be sharing updates about my Medium articles, as well as my upcoming Fantasy novel, anticipated for publication in 2023, and a series of short stories planned for 2022.

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