Letting Your Older Self Die to Make Space for Who you are Meant to be
In social science, the notion of a paradigm shift is when the old model of things has reached its limits, and a new model or way of thinking must take its place. The same notion is quite useful when thinking about living a better life.
Growth is not just about adding new habits, skills, or achievements. Sometimes, it’s about letting go of identities, beliefs, and versions of ourselves that no longer serve who we are becoming. To get to the next level, you must be willing to let your older self die to make room for the new you.
The Death of the Familiar
We often cling to our past selves because they feel safe. They’re familiar. They’ve helped us survive, navigate challenges, and find our place in the world—in many ways, they feel like our oldest friend. But survival and safety are not the same as thriving or growing. The person you were yesterday may not be equipped to carry the dreams of the person you want to become.
Who You’re Meant to Become
The new version of you can instead live with purpose, clarity, and courage. It’s not a perfect version, but it’s a more aligned one that:
Chooses growth over comfort.
Acts with intention, not impulse.
Speaks with authenticity, not fear.
Moves with purpose, not ego.
Move a muscle, change a thought, change a thought, and change who you will become
In fitness, progress often requires breaking down to build up. Muscles tear before they grow. Old routines are replaced with new challenges. The same applies to personal growth. You must be willing to break patterns, face discomfort, and voluntarily tackle the unknown.
Every time you push past a limit—physically or mentally—you’re shrinking the older version of yourself. And in that space, a stronger, wiser, more resilient you can be forged.
Mental Wellbeing Through Release
Letting go is not just a physical act—it’s deeply emotional and psychological. It requires grieving the old self, forgiving past mistakes, and embracing uncertainty. But it also brings freedom. When you stop carrying the weight of who you were, you can finally rise into who you’re meant to be.
How to Begin the Process
Reflect: Identify the beliefs, habits, or identities that no longer serve you.
Release: Let go with intention—through journaling, therapy, meditation, or ritual.
Rebuild: Replace the old with new practices that align with who you want to become.
Repeat: Growth is cyclical. You’ll shed many versions of yourself over time.
Letting your older self die is not a loss—it’s a liberation. The old paradigm has reached its limits, and a new one needs to take its place. It’s the courageous act of choosing evolution over stagnation.
So, if you feel like parts of you are falling away, don’t resist. That’s transformation. That’s growth. That’s the higher version of you, waiting to emerge.
Until next time,
Scott and Lennart