Becoming Yourself Again
In life, many of us are constantly relearning and rediscovering who we are. God bless the people who remain rooted in their authentic selves and never drift away from that. For most of us, though, that isn’t the case.
As we grow older if we are lucky enough to do so we experience many changes. The biggest shifts often come during life’s milestones: graduating high school, choosing college, becoming a parent, or deciding to get married. These moments are visible and celebrated. When you graduate or walk down the aisle, people gather, watch you make a life decision, and applaud.
But not all milestones receive that kind of attention, especially as we get older.
At some point, we start thinking about what we can do to continue making others proud. The question we forget to ask is: What makes us proud of ourselves? When we chase external validation long enough, we can drift far from what we truly enjoy.
Think back to childhood before the milestones and expectations. What made you proud when no one was watching?
For me, it was finishing a book I picked out at the library. No applause. I wrote stories, poems, and songs in a random composition notebook my parents bought. When I finished something, I would read it again and again with a smile. Still no applause.
Yet those moments mattered.
They were internal accomplishments rather than external ones. They came from curiosity, joy, and creativity not recognition.
When life becomes only about achieving and accomplishing, we often lose touch with the parts of ourselves that simply enjoy creating and exploring. Reconnecting with those things helps bring us back to our authentic selves. When you know what you genuinely enjoy doing in your own time, you move closer to understanding your purpose.
Of course, we live in a work-centered culture in the United States. Responsibilities exist, and supporting ourselves and our families is important. But life should also include space for hobbies, creativity, and joy. Ideally, the goal is to align the way we support our lives with something we genuinely care about.
It may sound unrealistic in a capitalist society, but in many ways it’s more possible now than ever before.
We’re also living in a time where traditional milestones are being reevaluated. Some expectations that once served a social or economic purpose don’t hold the same weight they used to. For example, marriage once functioned largely as a necessity tied to legal and financial limitations, especially for women. Today, many people see it differently sometimes even cautiously as both partners often bring independence and resources into the relationship.
The point isn’t whether these milestones are right or wrong. The point is that we now have more freedom than previous generations to decide what our lives will look like.
That freedom is powerful.
So take full advantage of it. Be willing to question expectations, rediscover what you loved before the applause mattered, and pursue the things that make you proud.
Your most authentic life may not always be the one that gets the loudest claps but it will be the one that feels the most like you.
Love Always,
Eucalyptsis
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