We all carry parts of ourselves that once protected us, guided us, or kept us safe—but no longer serve who we’re becoming. Letting go can be one of the hardest acts of growth. Some of the most enlightened members of the community share their thoughts on this below.
Tristin-Storme Redpath
For me, it is the death of the people-pleaser. As the oldest daughter, I grew up carrying an invisible mantle of responsibility—managing not only my own life but the emotions, needs, and even survival of those around me. That part of me was born from love and duty, and it served me well in keeping harmony, in making others feel safe. Read More>>
Sirobe Carstafhnur
The part of me that I’m releasing is the tendency to play small and stay behind the scenes. For years, I poured my energy into creating SIROBÈ, formulating products with my mom, and building a skincare line rooted in nature and wellness — but I often let the brand speak louder than I did. Read More>>
Karen Carnabucci
I’m done with the achieving, pushing and hustling. Now my work is my offering to my community. It’s an expression of the parts of myself that want to serve. Read More>>
Hoodoo Jim
I saw this movie recently called SLC Punk. It’s essentially about growing up and how rebelling and angst can only take you so far. I related to this message because in my earlier years, I definitely felt that angst. It was actually really motivating, but after a point it can be more of a distraction than anything. Read More>>
Sherrie A Robinson
I believe that part of me that felt insecure and like I wasn’t good enough. I’ve released this part of myself when I wrote my first book Beauty For Ashes The Actual Truth About Love It’s Not A Fairytale and I identified that I have a voice. What I have to say matters even if it’s one person that listens that’s enough for me. Read More>>
Kendra Erika Fulmer
Being a people pleaser has served its purpose in the developmental stages of my life, where I needed to be virtuously obedient to my instructors and guides, who were developing me during those formative years. Being solely the student. Now, I feel that part of me needs to be released, because although I am still learning, I’m learning in my own way. Read More>>
Ta’Mikel Moore
What I’ve had to release is the idea that being different made me inadequate. I’ve come to realize that I am enough, and my differences are what make me who I am. I admire my creativity my ability to turn nothing into something and the way I express myself through my mindset, my style, and even the way I speak. Read More>>
Tracey Kennedy
Little Black Girl, this answer is for you. There is pure strength in humility. You do not have to be hard to be great. In my early years, I was sexually assaulted for years. I grew up around drug and alcohol abuse, gang violence, and two grandmothers avoiding reality by being doped up on commercialized Jesus. Read More>>
Gil Gastelum
I think that I had to chase the talent. Now I’ve learned to attract the talent and not be wrapped up in some sort of failure mode if I don’t land a potential client or it doesn’t work out with an existing one. Way better for my soul, the soul of the company and my great employees- who’ve chosen to work with me. Read More>>
M Abeo
I have been trying to do a better job at being grateful to the parts of me that I release. I think I used to be very negative like ‘Oh I am so glad I am not that version of me anymore! Read More>>
Julia Wheaton
A part of me that has served its purpose is my naivety—the version of me that loved without hesitation or leapt into something without pausing to consider the consequences. In many ways, it was the childlike part of me that could forget about responsibility, especially when it came to love. Read More>>
Michelle Makela
I spent years living my dream as a professional dancer, touring the world and experiencing all the excitement, discipline, and freedom that lifestyle had to offer. Those adventures gave me unforgettable life experience and shaped who I am today. Read More>>
Kelly Zugay
For more than a decade, I worked 12–15 hours a day, 7 days a week. I carried the belief that success meant being available at all times, saying yes to every opportunity, and constantly pushing for more. Over time, it became second nature — so much so that not working felt strange, even wrong. I missed holidays and milestones I can’t get back. Read More>>
Christina Fernández Guzmán
I’m learning to release the version of me who constantly tried to blend in and mold herself into what she thought others needed her to be. For years, I masked parts of who I am because I thought they made me “too much”, when in fact, they are exactly what drives the gifts I’m inspired to share with the world. Read More>>
Laura Correa
Managing a large group of employees taught me a lot. After COVID, I rebuilt my business and expanded to a team of five practitioners while still offering services myself. While I’m proud of that growth, it ultimately led to burnout and pulled me away from my creative flow. Today, I operate with just one other esthetician in a beautiful two-room sanctuary space. Read More>>
Saraphina Davidson-Gurney
As a young violinist, it’s easy to very critical towards yourself. We are taught to be perfectionists, to play the music as it’s meant to be played, and how the composer intended it to be written. This easily transferred to all of my life, and I was criticising myself in most aspects of daily life, expecting perfection from myself in every way. Read More>>
Cindy Kang
I was a well-behaved child who never wanted to make a mistake or get scolded. I always followed guidance and sought it out, often doubting my own decisions. That child grew up and became a people pleaser, which may have helped me on some occasions, but was not so helpful when it came to creating art. Read More>>
Sea Mo Aldermoon
The part of me that has served its purpose and now must be released is the part that stayed dimmed to make others feel more secure. That version of me kept me safe (and alive) in the presence of jealous, volatile people. Read More>>
Monika Willis
The truth? Most of us have been conditioned to believe things we do not agree with, accepting limitations as reality just to fit in. I did it too. Losing my mom as an only child… losing my memory, my business, my home, my car, the life I thought I needed. All without the safety net of understanding or support. It really broke me real bad. Read More>>
Adrian Ferguson
The part where I dim my light to make others feel comfortable. Read More>>
Jazzy The Uncontrolled Goddess
The old version of me has served its purpose and must now be released. I spent the majority of my life being afraid of life. For many years, I was led by fear. The fear of failure, the fear of rejection, and the fear of the unknown. Confidence use to be just a word I would here. A feeling that we are told to have. Read More>>
