Embracing the Real You: Why Your Journey Is No Surprise

Becoming You: Why Your Journey Is No Surprise

Life tends to mold people, but often the person we become is because of choices we have made, things we have lived through, and lessons we have learned. Yet, we all reach a point where we look in the mirror and ask ourselves, "How did I become this person?" That moment of surprise can be unsettling, but what if I told you that this transformation isn't as shocking as it seems? In fact, the seeds of who you are today were planted long ago.

The Roots of Self

Our personality starts to develop very early. From the values, beliefs, and experiences we learn from our families, communities, and the world at large, we come to be who we are. Take yourself back to your childhood. Were you curious, shy, resolute, or imaginative? You probably are all those things now in one form or another, though probably in ways other than you were as a child.

You might look at who you are now as quite drastic from who you were then. Actually, however, you aren't surprising anybody, even including yourself. Every decision you ever made to move forward in your life led to this. It may have been a job, a hobby, or friends with whom you are currently spending your days, but all along the lines of who you are, you quietly, subtly built to create who you are today, your entire life.

Why Am I Surprised?

Why do we always act so surprised when we look at the person we've become? Partly, perhaps, because of this gap between expectation and reality: we idealize who we believe we ought to be, and if that's not matched by reality, there's a disconnect.

Perhaps you thought by now you should have done so much better, or maybe you had just envisioned another career or another way of life. But the truth is, life never really goes according to plan. There are detours, there are challenges, and there are twists that turn life in ways one least expects. So what's important to know is that those twists and turns are not deviating from the plan; they are the plan. You are the sum of your experiences, good and bad.

The velocity of change is another reason for being shocked at the growth. Growth is usually slow, and since it happens incrementally, most of the time it isn't noticed. It is like watching a plant grow—you may not notice much change day to day, but over months or years, its transformation is a testament to undeniable reality. Sometimes we stop and look around, and it can be as if we'd overnight changed, though in reality each day was sculpting who we were.

Celebrate Your Journey

Instead of being surprised by the person you’ve become, try embracing your journey. Every step along the way has contributed to your growth, even the ones that felt like missteps at the time. The mistakes, the triumphs, the setbacks, and the breakthroughs—they all play a part in shaping the whole picture.

Take a little time to appreciate just how far you have come. You've weathered some obstacles, learned to adapt to change, and made decisions that got you where you are today. You've acquired skills, proven your resilience, and gained wisdom. The version of you today is not an accident; it's a testament to your strength and determination.

Looking Forward

You just entered a part of the story that will not go as easily, and your growing journey will present you with some surprises, some challenges, and some great opportunities to grow as an individual. There is nothing wrong with facing what is ahead and embracing who you are meant to be. You can be courageous in what is next. Trust that you are exactly where you should be, even if you can't feel that all the time.

The secret was to just be who you are. Don't be trying to become an ideal version of who you think you should be. Become the best version of who you really are. Continue to make choices that align with your values, pursue what you are passionate about, and surround yourself with people who help you grow.

Conclusion

You Were Always Becoming YouRegardless of who you might become, this has always been you. The traits that make you who you are are those you've had since the beginning, waiting to be molded by experience. The next time you are surprised at who you have become, step back and remember you had no choice. Just enjoy the ride and keep on moving forward in confidence, because you've been preparing for this your whole life.

Share this article with people who might need a reminder that their growth is not a surprise but a natural part of life's journey.