'Growth Mindset and Me' by Esme Weir

2020/21 has been such a hard year for everyone, but for me, it has had an unexpected silver lining, of learning about Growth Mindset and knowing that I can do anything I put my mind to. Before the lockdown, I had such a negative internal dialogue and found it so difficult to do anything outside of my comfort zone- or as I now know it to be called, a fixed mindset.

In March last year, I lost my part-time job, moved back into my parent’s house, university moved online, and I felt such a black cloud over my head. My anxiety over the state of the world was at an all time high, and my motivation dipped to an all time low. Doing assignments became such a chore, I struggled to even get out of bed in the morning, and the thought of dropping out of university was becoming increasingly appealing, and I was adamant that I could only learn in an organic environment, that I was just not cut out for online learning.

However, these imaginary black clouds began to part when I was learned about Growth Mindset from Carol. I’ve spent a good part of this year reading the materials that Carol has made for young children, and even though I’m at least 10 years above the target audience, its taught me that my mindset and outlook on difficult situations can change the outcome entirely.

This term, I’ve met the challenges of online learning, and my own anxieties about the pandemic with a fresh mindset, and the knowledge that I can change and adapt has made me so excited about the future- instead of being terrified of it.