Your Past Self Doesn’t Define You

The past version of your Self you hold onto so tightly does not define you. 

This is true not just for those of us holding on to a limiting version of our Self–it’s also for those holding on to a prideful version of our Self. You might think holding on to a version of your Self that you’d love to forget would be more detrimental to the Pursuit of your authentic life than holding on to a version of your Self you’d love to keep, but both scenarios keep you living in the past, attached to a version of a Self that no longer exists, and prevents you from being present in the current moment.

On top of keeping you living in the past, the past version of your Self you are anchored to is a lie

Your memories of the past are not the truth–not because you’re a liar who cannot be trusted, but because you subconsciously, or sometimes consciously, choose to remember the past how you wanted it to be. There are details of your life’s events, character, decisions, etc., that you omit from your memories.

You’re also watching those memories from YOUR perspective.  If you could change seats with someone else in the movie theater playing your life’s movie, you might see your story differently from the other person’s perspective. If you were able to do this you might just see that you weren’t as fill in the adjective you’re attaching to your Self as you thought. 

But, since you cannot, it’s important to realize that your past was not actually the way you remember it, it does not define you, and it was just a part of your journey to help you learn along the way. This does not mean you forget the past versions of your Self–just don’t become attached or define your Self by it; you learned a lot of essential lessons as those past versions, and your memories help you recall those lessons, which will help you as you pursue your authentic life. 

Being anchored to a past version of your Self, whether it be positive or negative, will hinder you from evolving and pursuing and living your authentic life. Release your Self from the burden of being who you thought you were, embrace who you are now, and follow your heart to become the version of your Self you want to be in the future.

See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,

JC