When You Miss a Version of Yourself You No Longer Are

There is no need to recreate an earlier version of yourself.

You may not have the same interests, the same friendships, the same energy, or even the same understanding of what makes you happy. Trying to return to who you were can sometimes feel like trying to fit into a life that no longer belongs to you.

But that doesn't mean you have to leave every part of that person behind.

If you miss being spontaneous, perhaps there is room for a little more unplanned time. If you miss feeling connected to people, perhaps some relationships deserve more attention. If you miss being curious, perhaps there are things you haven't allowed yourself to explore in a while.

The aim isn't to become who you were. It is to recognise which parts of you still matter, even if they have been quieter lately.

We are allowed to feel attached to our past selves without wanting to return to the past.

And perhaps one of the more understated parts of growing up is learning to make peace with this: we can be grateful for who we have become and still feel tenderness towards the people we used to be.