A Glimpse into the “Growth Initiative” of a High School Student with Bone Cysts
During adolescence, obstacles such as schoolwork, parental expectations, friendships, and internal voices can cause anxiety.
For M (17), these challenges are an additional burden: a bone cyst—a fluid-filled sac that develops within the joints and requires long-term treatment. She has been battling this ongoing treatment since she was in elementary school.
Hearing the words “the cyst has returned” often disrupts many of her plans. Surgery, recovery, missing classes, and most difficult of all, the quiet anxiety that lingers, are all part of M’s journey.
Yet within these interruptions, M slowly reevaluates her path. She learned to accept a body that couldn’t always compete on the field and began reassessing her journey: overcoming personal limits, nurturing her interest in biology, and discovering embroidery as a comforting nighttime hobby.
M’s story reminds us that self-actualization is not something grand or sudden—it is a conscious process built from repeated, intentional steps.
From “Why Me?” to “What Do I Want?”
Psychologists call this personal growth initiative—a conscious effort to grow.
It is not just momentary motivation but a repeated cycle of observing oneself, setting goals, trying strategies, evaluating, and beginning again.
In M’s case, the pattern is clear: she knows her physical limitations, yet refuses to let them define who she is.
At home, when online classes were difficult, she created alternative learning maps, searched for her references, and committed to a steady pace.
At school, when physical activities overwhelmed her, she stepped aside and chose a different kind of “run”—focusing on projects and competitions that aligned with her strengths.
Her actions may seem small: keeping a daily journal, doing additional practice questions, and consistently asking her teachers for clarification. But these small, consistent actions created a significant leap.
In simple terms: M no longer stops at “Why is this happening?” She moves forward to “What do I want?” And, “What small step can I take today?”
Self-Acceptance: The Starting Point, Not the Finish Line
One of the most important parts of M’s journey is self-acceptance.
Acceptance does not mean giving up; rather, it prevents energy from being wasted on resisting reality. When we can say, “This is my condition right now,” we open space to ask, “What can I do next?”
For teenagers, self-acceptance is often the quietest battlefield. There are mirrors, comments, and social standards.
M chose a different route: she turned inward, recognized her potentials—drawing, problem-solving, and a love for biology—and used them as anchors of her identity. Potential provides direction; acceptance serves as strength.
An Environment That Nurtures
No personal story stands completely alone.
Around M are parents who model discipline, teachers who offer supportive guidance, and friends who provide her space to grow. Support does not erase burdens, but it provides courage.
Conversely, a noisy or unresponsive environment can hinder development: social pressure, harsh comments, high expectations, and doubt from others.
This is where adults—parents, teachers, mentors—play a crucial role: creating psychological safety and room to ask questions.
M dares to try more because she knows her mistakes are not labels but part of a calm learning process.
The Real “Peak” of the Pyramid Is a Staircase.
We frequently study the hierarchy of needs—from the most fundamental needs to the pinnacle of self-actualization.
However, this tidy order is uncommon in real life. A person can still create, maintain relationships, and look for meaning even when their basic needs are not met.
For M, the “peak” is a stairway instead of a monument. She trusts her future, is open to new experiences, makes hard choices, and uses her imagination to find other ways to get there. Self-actualization is not a status; it is a habit, a daily discipline of living according to one’s values.
Small Tactics, Big Impact
What can we learn from M’s steps—and apply to other teenagers, whether or not they face physical limitations?
1. Choose the arena, not just the goal.
M chose areas aligned with her strengths: art, problem-solving, and life sciences. The right arena makes practice meaningful.
2. Create repeatable micro-steps.
Each day, commit to taking one page of notes.
Be sure to ask one insightful question during class.
One additional practice problem should also be included.
Consistency fuels tomorrow’s enthusiasm.
3. Build a support system.
Teachers who answer questions, parents who validate effort, and friends who respect boundaries. Personal victories grow from supported spaces.
4. Care for your mind and heart.
When anxiety arises, reduce triggers and choose healthy responses: focused study and short breaks. Mental health is long-term preparation often forgotten.
5. Evaluate consistently and celebrate small wins.
Grades are feedback, not identity.
Trust small progress each time it appears.
A simple metaphor: 1% better each day may seem small. But collected over weeks, it transforms the track—not because of math magic, but because the mind learns to believe, “I can.”
For Parents, Teachers, and Friends
For parents:
Love sometimes means providing structure—flexible study routines, enough sleep, and consistent screen-time limits. Validating effort (“you tried hard”) encourages more than empty praise (“you’re smart”).
For teachers:
Students with physical limitations are not asking for easier grading. They ask for fair opportunities—accessible materials, adaptive learning rhythms, and specific feedback.
For peers:
Empathy is not pity.
What teens need is equal space to create, laugh together, and—when necessary—rest.
Closing: Winning Without Having to Run
M grows the most not because she never fails, but because every failure is met with realistic and hopeful perseverance.
She rewrites the meaning of “achievement” from where she sits: calm, creative, persistent, and—most importantly—true to herself.
Among countless teenage stories, M’s teaches a simple lesson we often forget: self-actualization is the courage to take small, right steps, repeatedly, even when no one is watching.
In the end, these small steps lead us to the best version of ourselves
Note:
The name “M” has been changed to protect the subject’s privacy.
Writer: Athayya Ari Rafeyfa Sajida (113251064)
Student of Psychology Program, Universitas Airlangga
Supervisor: Muhammad Aldo Setiawan, S.Si., M.Sc.
Editor: Siti Sajidah El-Zahra
Bahasa: Rahmat Al Kafi
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