The Things We Outgrow

There are pieces of my past self

tucked into old corners of my memory,

bright-eyed, curious, a little confused,

still trying to make sense of the world.

I check in on them sometimes,

not with sadness,

but with a fond smile,

like flipping through photos of a younger me

who had no idea how far they’d go.

I’ve outgrown habits the way kids outgrow shoes,

quietly, naturally, without noticing

until one day they just don’t fit anymore.

Worrying about every little thing,

shrinking myself to stay agreeable,

apologizing for taking up space,

they were heavy backpacks I didn’t realize I could set down.

Letting them go felt like learning to stand taller,

lighter,

more myself.

And yes, there were people and moments

I had to leave behind too,

not with bitterness,

but with gratitude for the chapter they gave me.

Some connections fade gently,

like the last minutes of a sunset,

while others end more suddenly,

like a door closing before you’re ready.

But each one makes room

for friendships that feel brighter,

for love that fits better,

for a life that reflects who I’m becoming.

What I’ve learned is this:

outgrowing isn’t losing.

It’s evolving.

It’s celebrating how beautifully human it is

to keep changing,

to keep choosing what feeds your joy,

to keep stepping forward into a bigger version of yourself.

And the best part?

Every time we outgrow something,

we make space

for something even more wonderful to grow in its place.