nothing without who you used to be

you are not who you used to be, & that’s a good thing

maybe you’ve been feeling it too

that quiet shift in your spirit

that discomfort in the places you used to find peace

the way certain people or habits just don’t feel right anymore

it’s not a bad thing

it’s growth

& i want you to know it’s okay to outgrow versions of yourself that were built for survival, not for living

you don’t have to apologize for not being the same anymore

you don’t owe anyone consistency in your suffering

you’re allowed to evolve

that old version of you

the one that always said yes when you wanted to say no

the one who kept giving even when your soul was tired

the one who watered dead gardens hoping they’d bloom

you don’t have to be them anymore

you don’t have to keep shrinking yourself to make other people feel comfortable

you don’t have to carry guilt for choosing peace

you don’t have to defend your healing to people who benefited from your brokenness

i know it’s hard

letting go of your past self means letting go of people who only knew how to love that version of you

but you’re not responsible for making others understand your growth

you are responsible for choosing yourself

for protecting your peace, your heart, your energy

for standing in the truth of who you’re becoming

even if it makes others uncomfortable

some won’t understand why you’ve changed

some will try to pull you back into the old patterns, the old cycles, the old you

but you’re not there anymore

you’ve done the work, or maybe you’re just starting

either way, it’s enough

you’re allowed to say

“that used to be me, but it’s not me anymore”

this isn’t about pretending to be perfect

it’s about finally being real

being honest with yourself about what hurts, what heals, what you want, & what you no longer accept

i’m not writing this because i’ve figured it all out

i’m writing this because i’ve been there

& i want you to know you’re not alone

you’re not wrong for changing

you’re growing

& growth is loud @ first, but eventually it turns into peace

so if no one’s told you lately

i’m proud of you

for shifting

for showing up, again & again, for yourself

keep going

you’re becoming someone worth protecting

& it’s okay if not everyone gets to come with you

rl.