Feeling Content But Craving Growth? Here’s What Helped Me
A powerful journal prompt that could bring a significant shift

Hello Lovelies,
I feel content, but I also want to evolve. Those two states of being are not necessarily contradictory as long as we don’t become angsty about either one.
My desire to grow has prompted me to listen to Maryann's monthly astrological forecast for my sign (Virgo) at Revealing Light Tarot—Tarot, Astrology, and Spirituality. Her astrological readings have been spot-on and often function like self-discovery prompts for me.
If you feel uncomfortable with astrology, you might look at it like this. If the information is relevant and valuable, use it. If not, move on. Understandably, a general reading for a particular sign will not apply to everyone with that designation — we have many different astrological variables in our charts.
But if it’s helpful, why not benefit from it? Almost all of us could use more guidance in our lives.
Change was the central theme for Virgos in September. I need to make a change related to my health or an unhealthy situation. I need to let go of something from the past. I might resist it (sounds like me), but it will be positive in the end.
I sat down with the question and my journal and made a list. I’m content with my lifestyle and don’t need changes in that regard.
However, I’m pursuing a new medical diagnosis. The path has been rocky, but I hope to have answers this month, which might require minor changes. I also need to exercise more and plan to start a regime on my new exercise bicycle as soon as it’s assembled.
I had a longer list of spiritual changes. I would love to be less distractible, more disciplined, and able to see the divine in every person I meet. This exploration inspired me to recommit to my meditation practice, at least two daily sessions and three or four on the weekends.
I made a list of additional steps to support my spiritual practice:
Use my mornings well, which is when I have the most energy.
Incorporate specific practices to purify past karma, increase faith, and connect with guidance.
Write a daily quote on impermanence in my journal to inspire renunciation.
Use bedtime for meditation.
When I finished that list, I felt this astrological reading turned self-exploration prompt served me well. I put these steps into action and felt spiritually renewed.
As you may recall, I’ve been frustrated with changes on Medium, my second writing platform. I’ve continued to write there because each month, I’ve managed to squeak by and make the same modest income for the time put in (not even close to minimum wage).
But the uncertainty I currently experience on the platform taps into a long-held pattern of feeling that whatever I do, I can’t get it right. It comes from working with an autocratic teacher who criticized me no matter what.
However, I’ve been able to change my attitude recently. I tell myself that it’s not me; it’s the platform. That’s helped.
But still, last week, nothing would come when I sat down to write. Or I’d get halfway through an article and decide it wasn’t worthwhile.
I rarely experience writer’s block, but it happens occasionally. Usually, I suddenly get excited about a topic, and the words pour out again—the block overcome. That hasn’t happened yet. Presumably, it will.
But even if it does, I wonder if I need to change my writing life significantly. I feel like I’m contributing to a platform that doesn’t value my writing except for the occasional boosted article, which seems harder and harder to come by. Seventy-seven new countries were added to Medium’s payment program last month, increasing competition for the same pot of gold.
Some people have done well in the new system, but I haven’t been able to crack the code, and I’m flailing. That has made reaching inside and pulling out an exceptional article more difficult.
This remains my one unresolved question regarding change. If I were to stop writing on Medium, I would still write on Substack. I wouldn’t relinquish my writer identity altogether, but I would be letting go of a small chunk of money that helps fill the gap between my retirement income and living expenses.
Rumour has it that some positive changes may be coming to Medium, making me wonder if this is the right time to let go. But I also see a pattern I have to stick things out to the bitter end.
We’ll see if any new article ideas come to me or whether I continue to face a blank page — my inner self spelling out a possible resolution.
Your Thoughts?
I may not have all my answers regarding change, but I gained so much from responding to this prompt that I wanted to share it with you. I think it can be helpful, whatever your astrological sign.
If you reflect on what you want or need to change, consider what’s working, too. It’s always good to balance the challenging with the good so we don’t become despairing.
What do I need or want to change?
I would love to hear your thoughts on that question and any additional comments you'd like to share.
Great reads on Substack:
I Ignored the Warning, Look What Happened (on burnout) by
We Are Cordial But Not Cowards (on neighbors with different views) by
Until Next Time
More than a week (almost two) remains before the end of September. Maybe the significant change will be an entirely unexpected one! Time will tell, but I still gained a great deal from exploring what I want to change.
Thanks for reading. It means so much to me. Much love and best wishes to you, always.
xo Sandra
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How strange that a few days ago I finally saw and read an article on Medium by you! I was wondering if I would see one there and was so happy that I did. I enjoy your writings wherever they are, Sandra. I am Libra and I do think there is something to astrology but whenever I look into it, I see a lot of math and graph-looking charts, so I usually just read the interpretation and trust the experts to tell me what they see.
I find that I do better if I just tackle one change or part of a change, at a time. This year, leaving my studio and not being able to walk very well, has been about all I could handle---but, of course, if more to handle had come my way, I would have found the inner (and outer) resources to handle it. Isn't that sort of what life if about anyway? I wonder if there will be a time when I can say, "I would like to change this," and actually be able to do it. Well, actually, I am looking into Joe Despenza and his meditations and discoveries about how we can actually change our lives to heal. So, there is that :). I will see how I can work with his meditations as many others have done successfully! Wishing us both well in our life paths, Sandra! <3
Thanks for sharing my article, Sandra!
I love the question you posed here. It’s motivating to consider stating to ourselves in clear terms what we need and want to change about our lives. So important!