Ava Sinclair
Ever looked around at your life and thought, ‘Wow, this isn’t at all what I thought it would be’?
Ever marveled at how different your current reality is from the world you grew up in?
Or perhaps you’ve caught yourself doing things that would have been deemed impossible, or even frowned upon, in your childhood home?
If these thoughts have crossed your mind, let’s take a moment to explore this together. Are you ready?
Let’s dive in.
1) You’re no longer playing by the “old rules”
So, I recently came across a post on Instagram that read, “The first step towards change is recognizing that you don’t have to be who you were a year ago”.
It got me thinking.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you feel like you’re breaking some unwritten rules?
Rules that were deeply ingrained in you during your formative years?
Maybe it’s pursuing a career in arts when everyone in your family is in business.
Or perhaps it’s choosing to travel the world solo when your upbringing emphasized safety and staying close to home.
If you’re challenging these “old rules” and paving your own path – guess what?
You’re growing beyond the limitations of your upbringing, my friend!
And that’s not just okay, it’s amazing.
It’s a sign of personal growth and evolution, and it’s something to be celebrated.
2) You’ve developed a new “language”
Just the other day, a friend shared with me her experiences growing up in a household where expressing emotions was not encouraged.
She told me how she struggled to communicate her feelings as an adult because she never learned the “language of emotions” in her childhood.
But over time, she sought help, grew, and learned to express her feelings openly and healthily.
Does that resonate with you? Have you found yourself learning and using a new “language” that was foreign to you in your upbringing?
Maybe it’s the language of self-care and boundary setting.
Or perhaps it’s the language of ambition and goal-setting.
Whatever it might be, if you’ve learned to speak in ways that align more with who you are now rather than who you were told to be, then you have indeed surpassed the limitations of your upbringing.
3) You’re making choices that honor you
I’ll let you in on a little personal story.
Growing up, I was always the ‘pleaser’ in my family. I went great lengths to keep everyone happy, often at the cost of my own desires and needs.
But over time, I realized that this wasn’t serving me well.
The turning point came when I decided to move cities for a job opportunity, a choice that didn’t sit well with my family.
Yet, I knew it was what I needed to do for myself.
Remember, every choice that honors your needs and desires is a step towards living a life that’s authentically yours.
4) You’re rewriting your story
Recently, I stumbled upon an article about the power of narratives.
It suggested that the stories we tell ourselves can shape our reality.
It got me thinking about how many of us carry narratives from our upbringing that no longer serve us.
Maybe you grew up believing that you weren’t good at sports or that you were always going to be the shy one.
But what if you’re now the person who tries out every new fitness trend or the one who’s not afraid to voice their opinions in a room full of people?
If you’ve been actively rewriting your story and embracing a narrative that aligns with who you truly are, then you’ve definitely moved past the limitations of your upbringing.
5) You’ve cultivated resilience
A while back, a dear friend of mine opened up about her journey of resilience.
She was raised in an environment where challenges were often met with surrender rather than perseverance.
As she grew older, she began to question this mindset and started seeking solutions rather than dwelling on problems.
Cultivating resilience is a testament to your personal growth and a clear sign that you’re not letting the beliefs of your past dictate your future.
6) You’re embracing vulnerability
Just last week, I was engrossed in a book that talked about the strength in vulnerability.
It reminded me of how I used to equate vulnerability with weakness, a belief instilled in me during my childhood.
Over time, I’ve come to realize that being vulnerable isn’t a sign of weakness, but rather, it’s a sign of courage.
Have you found yourself opening up more, showing your true feelings, maybe even daring to be imperfect?
If so, you’re breaking free from the constraints of your upbringing.
Embracing vulnerability is a sure sign that you’re growing beyond previously held beliefs.
7) You’re practicing self-love
Growing up, I was constantly comparing myself to others, always feeling like I fell short.
But over time, I’ve learned to appreciate my unique qualities and celebrate who I truly am.
Remember, self-love is the first step towards personal growth.
So, how are you practicing self-love these days?
8) You’re defining your own success
A conversation with a mentor recently brought to light how I had always measured success based on societal standards and expectations.
It was a wake-up call for me to redefine success on my own terms.
Are you finding that your definition of success differs from what you were taught growing up?
Maybe success for you isn’t about the high-paying job or the big house, but more about living a life of purpose and fulfillment.
If this sounds like you, then you’re certainly breaking free from the limitations of your upbringing.
Redefining success is a powerful way of asserting your individuality and honoring your unique journey.
9) You’re setting healthy boundaries
Finally, but certainly not the least important, let’s talk about boundaries.
I recently attended a workshop on emotional wellness, and one topic that stood out was the importance of setting healthy boundaries.
It made me reflect on how I used to struggle with saying ‘no’, always fearing I’d disappoint or upset someone.
Setting healthy boundaries is a form of self-care and a significant part of personal growth.
And there you have it!
All these signs point to one beautiful truth – you’re evolving, growing, and becoming more ‘you’ than ever before.
You’re not just surviving your past, but thriving beyond it.
Keep going, my friend.
Your journey is uniquely yours and it’s just getting started.
