I was scrolling through Tumblr a few nights ago when I came across something that I found extremely profound (everything seems to be profound to me at three o'clock in the morning.) I haven’t stopped thinking about this quote ever since I first read it and it has provoked a lot of my thought process. The quote was from the book The Flinch by Julien Smith. The quote states that our personalities are not set in stone. It says that many parts of our personality, like the coffee we may drink the morning or the people we choose to love are just habits.

Let that one sink in for a minute.

Habits, by definition, is a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up. An abundance of people have habits that they deal with, and some are even strong enough to kick them. Some people rise up and leave behind the lover that was holding them down. Some people kick their addictions, such as substance abuse. As we all know, the Olympics are on. Michael Phelps is taking the world by storm with his talent and breaking records left and right. A few years back, Phelps was photographed smoking pot and lost a huge chunk of his endorsements and his fans. A few years after the photograph, he was arrested and charged for driving under the influence. He checked himself into rehab and people thought that his swimming days were over. This week, Phelps won two more gold medals. All habits are kickable and you can change anything about yourself if you have the desire and drive to do so.

The quote goes on to say, “Your personality is something else, something deeper than just preferences, and these details on the surface, you can change anytime you like. If it is useful for you to do so, you must abandon your identity and start again. Sometimes, it’s the only way. Set fire to your old self.”

If you aren’t happy with your performance in school or in work, then change. If you’re in a relationship that doesn’t make you happy, change your situation. The world is full of beautiful places and opportunities and if you aren’t happy with the place you are in, then change.

I know it won’t always be easy. There will always be people, finances, or even your own doubt that holds you back. But, it is not impossible. You have a fire inside of you that is so bright and so capable of changing the world, and sometimes you have to burn down the exterior that is hiding it. Change can be terrifying, but trust me, you won’t start living until you are out of your comfort zone. Oddly enough, over time, you’ll be more comfortable too.

Now, I realise how this can come across as a anti self love post. It is actually quite the opposite. If you feel like you deserve more, more than your addiction, more than your situation, more than someone else is giving you, and most importantly more than you are giving yourself, then go get it. As Rupi Kaur says in her book Milk and Honey (which is absolutely wonderful by the way I highly recommend it,) “Accept that you deserve more than painful love. Life is moving the healthiest thing for your heart is to move with it.”

As we approach a new school year, or even a season where the leaves fall, I challenge you to let your habits fall too. Follow your heart and make yourself the best version of you possible, because you deserve it.