Not Every Version of You Is Meant to Survive the Journey
Growth isn’t about becoming more — it’s about knowing what to leave behind.
The Versions No One Sees
There are versions of me I’ve quietly let go of.
The one who said yes to avoid guilt.
The one who tried to earn her place by over-delivering.
The one who thought being agreeable was the same as being kind.
And the new mother in me? She was proud and overwhelmed all at once.
I loved deeply, but some days I wondered where I had gone.
We all carry versions of ourselves that no longer fit.
The part of you that stayed silent. That made everyone else comfortable. That over-functioned just to be seen.
They served a purpose. But maybe they were never meant to stay.
When Growth Feels Like Grief
No one tells you that growth can feel like loss.
You lose the stories that shaped you. The patterns that soothed you. The roles that earned you praise.
And suddenly the life you built feels unfamiliar.
That’s not failure — it’s evolution.
Your discomfort is proof you’re expanding.
We normalize staying in what’s familiar.
But what if the discomfort isn’t a red flag — it’s a green light?
You’re Not Broken. You’re Becoming.
Some versions of you were built in survival. Others in love.
Some were necessary — for then. But this is now.
Growth isn’t about constant improvement.
It’s about choosing alignment over performance.
Peace over pressure.
This version of me doesn’t hustle to prove anything.
She says no with grace. She rests without guilt.
She’s still learning, but she’s rooted.
That’s the work — releasing the old without rushing the new.
If You’re in the In-Between…
You’re not lost. You’re in transit.
Here’s what’s helped me:
Name the version you’re outgrowing. What did they believe?
Thank them. They got you this far.
Ask who’s emerging. And what they need to thrive.
The real magic happens in the in-between — when you stop clinging to who you were and make space for who you’re becoming.
Let This Be the Moment You Unclench Your Fist
You don’t need a title to evolve.
You don’t need permission to change.
You don’t need a breakdown to pivot.
If something inside you is whispering, let go — this is your moment to listen.
Let’s go deeper.
✍🏽 The Becoming Journal: A 3-Day Challenge to Release and Rise
Day 1 – Name & Notice
Write about a version of yourself you’ve outgrown.
Who were you then? What did they protect you from?
Prompt: “A version of me I’ve been holding onto is…”
Day 2 – Honor & Grieve
Thank them. Forgive them. Let them go with grace.
Prompt: “Thank you for… I forgive you for… I release you because…”
Day 3 – Reclaim & Become
Describe who you’re becoming. Be bold. Be honest. Be free.
Prompt: “The version of me I’m becoming is…”
This isn’t about fixing yourself.
It’s about finally choosing yourself.
Are you ready to rise?
Sculpted Thoughts ✨ | Mental Health • Career Growth • Personal Development
A space where stories shape resilience, and insights fuel transformation. From mental health and career pivots to personal growth, I share real experiences, lessons, and strategies to help you thrive.
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This is beautiful and just what I need to read in this moment. I appreciate the journaling prompts. Thank you! This in between times feels like a grief and a joy, ebbing and flowing with it each day.
Oh this rings true. I love the idea of naming the version of me—maybe the version of me who others want to stay the same…