Hello, Blog Family.
This is a topic I hold near and dear to my heart, my soul, and my mind. It’s one of those truths that we often feel deep in our bones before we can ever put it into words: Every season of life requires a different version of you.
I want to start by acknowledging something real. Every new season we are blessed to see is a gift, but I know that for many of you, the current season feels heavy. If you are struggling right now, please know that my heart and my prayers are with you. I know that feeling all too well, because, to be completely honest, I am walking through a struggle of my own right now.
While I won’t go into the details of my personal battle today, I want you to know you aren’t alone. We are in this together. And it is often in these very moments of struggle that we realize we cannot stay who we used to be if we want to survive, and eventually thrive, in where we are going.
The Necessity of Evolution
Life isn’t a flat line; it’s a series of cycles. Just as nature transitions from the shedding of autumn to the dormancy of winter and the rebirth of spring, we too must evolve. This evolution isn’t just a “nice to have”, it is what keeps us on track with our mission in this lifetime.
If you try to bring your “Summer” self into a “Winter” season, you’ll find yourself unprepared for the cold. Each phase demands a new level of maturity, a different set of boundaries, and a fresh perspective. These shifts are what allow us to grow as human beings. Without change, there is no growth; and without growth, we are simply repeating the same year over and over again.
The Painful Art of Shedding
One of the hardest parts of stepping into a new version of yourself is the shedding process. To grow, you often have to leave things, and people, behind.
“You cannot heal in the same environment that made you sick.”
Sometimes, the things hindering us are habits we’ve leaned on for years. Other times, it’s more painful: it’s people. This includes friends, and yes, it even includes family. We are the main characters in our own stories, and a main character cannot reach the finale if they are still carrying the weight of the first chapter.
Making the difficult decision to distance yourself from toxic cycles or people who keep you stuck isn’t an act of malice. It is an act of survival. It doesn’t mean you don’t love them; it means you’ve finally realized that you have to love yourself more.
Choosing You: Every Day, Not Just Sometimes
We get exactly one shot at this thing called life. One. When you look at it through that lens, the stakes become clear. You have to make the best of it through the dark times and the lighter times alike.
Choosing yourself isn’t a one-time event. It is a daily practice. It means:
- Paying attention to the signs when you feel stagnant.
- Reflecting on your life with radical honesty.
- Taking accountability when you realize you are the one holding yourself back.
I’ll be the first to admit: learning how to let go took me a long time. In fact, I am still learning. There are days when I sit down to reflect and realize I’ve been spinning my wheels. In those moments, I have to look in the mirror. I can’t blame the world, and I can’t blame my past. If I see that I am not growing, I have to be the one to change the frequency.
Breaking the Cycle
If you don’t pay attention to the lessons of your current season, life has a way of repeating the test. You will keep meeting the same people in different bodies and facing the same problems in different settings until you evolve into the version of you that can overcome them.
Don’t let your history hold your destiny hostage. If something is attached to you but isn’t fueling you, it’s time to loosen your grip. It’s okay to be a “work in progress,” as long as you are actually progressing.
Final Thoughts To my blog family who is hurting: hang on. This version of you is being forged in the fire so that the next version of you can walk through the doors that are about to open.
Choose yourself today. Choose your growth. Choose your peace.
Lakisha Childs-Morris
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