Week 3:

Does This Remind Me of a Version of Myself I’ve Already Outgrown?

Last week, we explored what happens when guilt, obligation, or other people’s expectations keep us holding on.

This week, we’re turning inward — to the versions of ourselves we’ve outgrown but still carry around.

We all have pieces of our past that no longer fit: clothes from another body, books from college or grad school, photos of an ex, or habits from another season. Sometimes we hold on because we miss who we used to be, or because we haven’t fully stepped into who we are now.

Why This Question Matters

When you ask, “Does this remind me of a version of myself I’ve already outgrown?” you’re shining a light on identity clutter — the things that keep you anchored to an earlier chapter of your life.

Letting go isn’t about rejecting your past. It’s about recognizing that growth means change — and that every version of you has served a purpose, even if it no longer needs to take up space.

How to Use It

Use this question to explore both your physical and emotional spaces.

Physically: the jeans that no longer fit, the stack of notebooks from a career you’ve moved on from, the décor from a phase that doesn’t feel like you anymore.

Mentally: the routines, relationships, or goals that once made sense but now feel forced.

Ask yourself: Am I keeping this as a reminder of who I was — or as evidence that I haven’t changed?

When It Helps Most

This question is especially powerful during transitions — a new job, an empty nest, menopause, recovery, or any season where your identity is shifting. It helps you create space for who you’re becoming rather than clinging to who you were.

When It Might Not Fit (and That’s Okay)

Sometimes nostalgia is part of healing. If you find comfort in revisiting your past, you don’t have to throw everything away. Try reframing the question:
“Can I honor this memory without needing to hold on to the object (or the story) itself?”

A photo, a letter, or a few meaningful keepsakes can carry that memory without cluttering your space or your spirit.

A Thought to Take With You

You can appreciate every past version of yourself — the one who tried, who learned, who stumbled, who grew — without needing to live in her shadow. Growth means gratitude, not guilt.

Keep Going

Want to go deeper?

Download Lighten Up! 50 Questions to Declutter Your Life and start exploring all 50 reflections to clear your space, your schedule, and your mind.

Then, take the next step and schedule your complimentary Lighten Up! Strategy Session — let’s uncover what’s keeping you stuck and create a plan to move forward with clarity and confidence.

👉Book your session here