Being almost halfway done with college is crazy to think about. It seems like it was so long ago when I got here, and yet everything is going by so incredibly fast. Lately I’ve been inspired to reflect more on my life, and I’ve discovered why it’s so important to do so every now and then.

“Remember where you come from.” My friend told me that the other day when we were discussing self-reflection. At first I thought about my family and where I grew up, but remembering where you come from is a lot deeper than that.

Sure I’m glad that I’m branching away from home and becoming more independent, but I’ve met people who’ve moved far away and are still the same person they were before they left.

For me, remembering where I come from is about remembering where I started mindset wise. Today I am becoming more and more involved and using as many resources as I can to create success for myself in life. Two years ago, heck even just a year ago, is a different story.

I had a very different mindset, and I thought that just ‘going with the flow’ was good enough. I stayed on top of my school work and had good grades, but that was my only priority. I didn’t make many efforts to get outside of my comfort zone because I didn’t realize how important that actually is.

Not everyone likes to get outside of their comfort zone, but I promise it’s worth it. Once you do, a whole new window of opportunities open. Go through it and don’t stop. But don’t forget to look back once in a while to reflect and remember where you started.

I’m never going to stop moving forward to reach my goals, but I’m also never going to forget where I came from. People have seen me make changes in my life, and I’ve seen that inspire them to do the same.

When I think back to where I started in college, it makes me appreciate how far I’ve come that much more. It pushes me to go even farther and work as hard as I can to reach my goals. It’s important to remember where you started because remembering that old mindset helps you to reach others who are still in it.

When I realized that I needed to get outside of my comfort zone and do more with my life, people who had been in the same position as me played a big role. I heard their stories of how much they grew from pushing themselves beyond their comfort zone. That inspired me to do the same because I knew I could.

I know that I will continue to grow as a person and expand the mindset I have today. I am still the same me, but I’m a better me because I’m working to be the best me.