What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: Why Growth Requires Letting Go

There comes a point in life when the very things that once helped us cope, succeed, or feel safe start to hold us back. Maybe it’s working too hard, saying yes to everyone, or staying guarded to avoid being hurt. These strategies once served a purpose—they helped us survive, belong, or achieve. But as life changes, they can quietly turn into barriers that keep us from growing.

I learned this lesson the hard way. In my twenties, I wore busyness like a badge of honour. I worked multiple jobs, studied full-time, and took on every opportunity that came my way. Back then, it made sense—being constantly busy felt safe and productive. But years later, when I was balancing motherhood, business, and a thousand moving parts, I realised something had to give. What once worked beautifully no longer fit the life I was living.

When Growth Feels Like a Breakthrough (and Sometimes, a Breakdown)

Change rarely happens in calm, organised ways. Often, it feels like something has to break before something new can begin. That breaking can look like burnout, frustration, or even laughter in the middle of chaos. Sometimes life gently nudges us to slow down, and sometimes it knocks the chair right out from under us—literally or metaphorically—to remind us that the old way isn’t working anymore.

It’s easy to slip back into old habits, especially the ones that once kept us safe. Saying yes when we mean no. Holding it together when we really need help. Doing more when rest would serve us better. Growth starts when we notice these patterns with compassion, not shame, and begin to ask: What needs to shift for me to feel aligned again?

Evolving With Intention

What got you here won’t get you there. The qualities, habits, and strengths that helped you build your current life may need to be reshaped for the next stage. It doesn’t mean abandoning who you are—it means evolving with intention.

Think of it like fine-tuning instead of starting over. If overworking once helped you succeed, perhaps now it’s time to practise rest. If protecting your emotions kept you safe, maybe now it’s time to open up to deeper connection. If saying yes built trust with others, perhaps saying no will help you build trust with yourself.

Growth isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about small, deliberate adjustments. One choice, one conversation, one boundary at a time.

The Small Steps That Change Everything

When life feels overwhelming, start small. Instead of overhauling everything at once, choose one small step each week that moves you closer to how you want to feel.

Add something that supports your well-being—like a morning walk, a slower pace, or a moment of reflection.Release something that drains you—a habit, expectation, or belief that no longer fits.Then repeat. Week by week, step by step, you’ll start to feel more like yourself again—just a little lighter, clearer, and more in rhythm with your own needs.

Walk, Reflect, and Rebuild

If you’ve been feeling stuck or stretched thin, take this as a sign to pause. Ask yourself:

• What feels heavy right now because it’s outgrown its purpose?

• What small shift could help me create space for something new?

As I often remind my listeners, movement, nature, and a moment to reflect can change your life—one small step at a time.

🎧 Listen to the Walking Session Podcast for this full episode and download the free worksheet inside the Walking Session Crew to explore these prompts for yourself.

👉 Join the free Walking Session Crew to access journaling resources, guided reflections, and more ways to grow—one walk at a time.