What’s one expectation you’ve recently outgrown?

As we grow, some of the expectations we once lived by begin to feel surprisingly heavy. Perhaps it’s the belief that you must always be productive, always say yes, always have a plan, always keep everyone happy, or always prove your worth through achievement.

Typically, we don’t wake up one day and decide these expectations no longer serve us, but rather slowly and surely they start to become more challenging and uncomfortable. We may do our best to ignore this new annoying reality, maybe ignoring feelings, ailments and illnesses. However, over time, the role, habit, belief or standard that once felt necessary begins to feel exhausting, limiting or out of alignment with who we’re becoming. Despite the resistance, letting go can also feel uncomfortable. We may worry that relaxing an expectation means lowering our standards, we may not feel safe or empowered to do so, or the change could even lead to questions about who we really are. Maybe the change feels like a choice, or maybe a necessity, as we move into an era of intentionality.

A few questions to reflect on

• What’s one expectation you’ve quietly outgrown?

• How did you realise it no longer served you?

• What became easier (or harder) when you started letting it go?

• What have you learned about yourself?