Starting Over at 47 – I Am Not Who I Was—And That’s a Good Thing

One of the hardest parts about starting over is realizing you’ve outgrown the person you used to be.

Not because she wasn’t strong.

Not because she wasn’t doing her best.

But because you’re not her anymore—and honestly? That’s the point.

People will try to remind you of who you used to be.

They’ll bring up the mistakes, the decisions, the version of you that tolerated too much or spoke too little.

They’ll say things like, “You’ve changed,” as if that’s a bad thing.

But growth is not betrayal.

Evolution is not a flaw.

You’re allowed to rewrite your story, even if it means editing out some old characters or switching genres completely.

Here’s what I’ve learned about embracing the new me without shame:

1. You don’t owe the past version of yourself anything but grace.

You did what you could with what you had. That version of you got you here. Now let her rest. You’ve got it from here.

2. Changing your mind is a sign of strength.

Whether it’s your goals, your values, or your relationships—pivoting is proof you’re paying attention. That’s not flakiness; that’s wisdom.

3. People who expect the “old you” may not be ready for the real you.

And that’s okay. You’re not shrinking to stay familiar. You’re expanding to make room for what’s next.

4. There’s grief in transformation.

Sometimes you miss the old you—even if she was exhausted, overextended, or unfulfilled. She was familiar. Let yourself feel it. Then keep moving forward.

5. You’re allowed to love who you are becoming.

You’re not selfish. You’re not arrogant. You’re healing. Becoming. Becoming. Becoming.

The truth is, I’m not who I was five years ago.

Not even six months ago.

And I’m proud of that.

Because every time life cracked me open, I filled the empty spaces with something stronger. Something softer. Something real.

So if you’re in the thick of it—questioning everything, peeling back the layers, wondering if you even recognize yourself anymore—this is your reminder:

You’re not lost.

You’re just becoming.

And who you’re becoming is someone worth knowing.

Warm hugs,

Aunty Christine 🫶🏻💜🤟🏻