From where I come from people say that hope is the last to die. I find that sometimes this makes us hold on to things and people who don't serve us anymore for longer than we should with the hope that things we'll turn out differently. Truth is they rarely do and we end up being in physical and emotional pain for longer than we should. it's often said that pain is the ultimate driver of change and growth. But is this really true?

I do believe that pain can be a powerful motivator, forcing us to take action. For example, if we touch a hot stove and feel a sharp pain, we quickly pull our hands away to avoid further injury. But is it similar to the experience of emotional pain? I guess the answer here is "It depends". While you may seek support from friends or family when you experience the loss of a loved one, that's not necessarily the case when you're in an emotionally draining relationship. While pain can be a motivator, it's not always enough to drive change and growth. It can be overwhelming and make it difficult to take action. When we're in the midst of intense physical or emotional pain, it can be hard to see a way out or to focus on anything other than the pain itself. This can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair, rather than growth and transformation. Until we say "Enough is enough" and stand for our needs and wishes.

And this is the moment, in my opinion, when change and growth start thriving. When the pain is so deep that you need to push yourself to be strong for this "last mile" which will take you to a better place. Not because you have it all figured out, but because you need to change to get rid of the emotional pain. You need to grow above your current self and sometimes convince yourself over and over again that it's for the best - for your own best. One of the ways that pain can drive change and growth is by forcing you to confront your weaknesses. When you are in pain, you are vulnerable and looking for new opportunities to change the source of the pain. You are more likely to evaluate the circumstances and more willing to make changes in your life.

Ultimately, whether the pain is the ultimate change and growth driver depends on each of us as individuals. While pain can be a catalyst for change, it's not always necessary or sufficient for transformation. Instead, a proactive and intentional approach may be more effective in the long run and obviously less painful. This might involve analyzing your needs, setting goals, seeking out new experiences and challenges, practicing self-reflection, and cultivating a growth and change mindset.

In conclusion, while pain can be a powerful motivator for change and growth, it's not the only factor at play. If you're not at the right place and feel psychological and emotional pain, my only advice is - don't wait too long to change your circumstances as change doesn't happen overnight. Once you've put all the cards on the table and there's no going back, there's still a long way to go until things and life become different. And you need to be strong to continue for a bit longer.