Becoming:

Letting Go of Who You Were

Letting go is sacred work.
It’s not just about moving on; it’s about remembering where you come from while making space for who you are becoming.

There’s a version of you that carried the weight of survival.
She learned to stay alert, to keep the peace, to anticipate danger before it arrived. She worked, she endured, she held it all together because no one else would. She was strong in the way our ancestors had to be, out of necessity, not choice. She deserves your gratitude.

But as you grow, that version of you begins to feel heavy, too cautious, too protective, too tired. Letting her go doesn’t mean dishonoring her. It means thanking her for her service and releasing her with kindness and respect. Because the truth is, you were never meant to live your entire life in survival mode.

And then there’s the version you thought you’d become, the dream shaped by other people’s expectations, the one who played it safe or tried to fit neatly into the world’s boxes. Sometimes we hold onto that imagined self because we fear what’s next. We fear disappointing those who saw us as something we no longer wish to be.

But growth requires release. It asks you to unclench your fists and trust what’s forming next.

Our ancestors understood this rhythm of shedding and rebirth. They understood that change is not abandonment, it’s evolution. In African and diasporic traditions, transformation is sacred; it’s seen as a cycle of rebirth. The caterpillar doesn’t reject the cocoon. it honors it as part of becoming the butterfly. In the same way, your becoming is a continuation of a much older story, one your ancestors began long before you arrived.

Their prayers built the ground you now walk on. Their strength flows through your blood, reminding you that you come from people who knew how to begin again, after loss, after migration, after everything tried to break them. You are their answered prayer in motion.

So when you let go of who you were, or who you thought you would be, you’re not walking away from your lineage, you’re fulfilling it. You are embodying their courage in a new form. You are transforming their survival into your freedom.

Becoming is uncomfortable, yes. But it’s holy work.
It’s the moment your spirit says, I’m ready to live differently.

Thank the woman who endured. Thank the dreamer who imagined. Then open your arms to the one who is emerging, the one who carries both your ancestors’ wisdom and your own becoming light.

You are not losing yourself. You are returning home.

Reflection Prompt: What lessons or strengths from your ancestors are guiding you in this season of becoming?

After reading, I invite you to explore Journals & Journeys, a collection of real, raw, and reflective books and journals designed to support healing at every stage of life. These are not replacements for professional help but tools to help you process, reflect, and grow. Whether you're navigating pain, celebrating resilience, or embracing life’s transitions, Journals & Journeys provides a space to write, release, and heal.