Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes us us. It’s a wild blend, isn’t it? Our personal histories, those countless encounters – the people who’ve crossed our paths, the victories we’ve cheered, the stumbles we’ve learned from, the quiet partnerships, the sharp losses, the moments of pure joy, and yes, even the tears. All of it, in its messy, vibrant entirety, shapes who we stand here as today.
And it’s not just the big events, is it? It’s the subtle threads woven in – our DNA, what we inherit, the cultures we’ve absorbed, the cities we’ve called home, the faces of neighbors, the echoes of school hallways. It’s a rich tapestry, incredibly unique to each of us.
But here’s the thought that keeps circling in my mind: This incredible, complex history? It’s not, and should not be, a barrier. Not to starting over, not to embracing the new. We aren’t erasing who we were; we are simply upgrading. We are taking that blended experience, that unique tapestry, and stepping onto a new path.
Is it wrong to want a 100% fresh start? To leave some things behind? Absolutely not. Holding onto constants? That’s a choice, too, and equally valid. However you define those constants, whatever anchors you choose to keep, it’s entirely okay.
From a young age, I learned that change isn’t the monster we sometimes imagine. Restarting – setting new aims, embarking on new adventures, welcoming new people into our lives, and yes, gently letting go of others – it’s not just acceptable, it’s actually… energizing. It’s satisfying. It awakens a sense of wonder, a delicious anticipation for what’s next. It’s about moving forward, not with amnesia, but with intention, with purpose, and definitely, without constantly looking back.
Think about it like this: you might keep a few cherished items. An old PC, a vintage console, a game from childhood. They hold history, evoke smiles, whisper stories of moments gone by. Keeping them is wonderful. But we shouldn’t confuse cherishing those memories with seeking our current joy only in those past experiences, only in that old game, that faded shirt, that familiar place. These are good things, like the good people we’ve known, but they should never become chains that prevent us from growing, from discovering more about who we are now, who we are becoming.
And it’s not just about ‘potential’ – that word feels a bit limited. It’s about something bigger: how we keep ourselves feeling truly alive. Full of life. And sometimes, that aliveness comes from knowing it’s okay to put certain experiences behind us, regardless of whether they were ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Deleting an old Instagram photo doesn’t erase the moment it captured; it simply makes space for new moments, new expressions of who we are today.
Because that’s the goal, isn’t it? To find those new things that resonate with us now, that fill us with life today. To wake up eager to breathe, with a quiet joy, and with a genuine excitement for the unfolding details of the day, the days, the weeks, the months to come.
Wishing you all that sense of forward-looking joy and the courage to embrace your own beautifully upgraded journey.
