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Posts by Paul Hagen

Paul Hagen writes about personal growth, direction, and building a life that’s aligned with what actually matters. Through his work at Hagen Growth, he explores sustainable ways of changing how we live, work, and make decisions - without shaping our lives around approval. You can find more of his writing at hagengrowth.com.

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Why Trying to Be Good Enough Kept Me Feeling Empty

“The opposite of belonging is not isolation—it’s fitting in.” ~Brené Brown

One of my earliest memories comes from kindergarten.

My mom had bought me a new pair of navy-blue corduroy pants for an event at school. We didn’t get new clothes often, so this felt important. But what stayed with me wasn’t the pants themselves or the event—it was the way I felt wearing them.

I remember standing there, already tense, afraid that the other kids would think I looked stupid. Afraid they wouldn’t want to play with me. Afraid that being different, even in something small, would mean I …