We talk about change all the time. We typically list change in two categories: good changes and bad. We often place things that make us fit in with society's goal of average (weight loss, graduating, etc) as positive changes. Those things are positive, but they are not the only changes that occur. They are also not the only changes we should embrace.
People change. We grow and learn. We learn we like this and do not enjoy that. We learn who we love and who we are not meant to spend time with. We learn we like to go to parties or we do not enjoy them anymore. It is okay if you went to every party in high school but would rather spend the night in your dorm in college instead. The opposite is also true, you may have never attended a party in high school. But love to go out every weekend now, and that does not make your "fake" or someone who is "trying too hard." We learn that we enjoy new hobbies or maybe that the old one just did not fit. Athetlics may have defined your high school experience, but it does not have to define your college experience. It is perfectly okay to not be that person anymore. We learn new skills and we learn new ways to adapt. We grew and we change. It is normal and should not be something we hold against ourselves or anyone else.
Yet, we frown upon people changing. We accuse them of being fake. We can even judge ourselves for change. Personally, I am guilty of saying how "I used to be..." (fill in the blank with anything and everything you can imagine.) I let others convince me moving on and changing was bad. It was not. It's growth and it should be acknowledged for what it is.
Everyone changes and it is okay to let go of the past. You are allowed to move on and grow. Do not let other's hold you back. It's time to forgive yourself and enjoy who you have become.
