If there is a thing always with us, it is the past.

Every experience, emotion, triumph, and failure we experience weaves together to create the fabric of who we are today, in the present moment. It's natural to carry pieces of it. Sometimes it feels like a well-worn coat that grows more comfortable over time. But the question that has been on my mind for some time, and the one that prompted me to write this reflection, is:

What happens when the coat becomes too heavy? When the weight of old mistakes, missed opportunities, or painful memories begins to define not just who we are or what we do today, but who we believe we're capable of becoming or doing tomorrow?

For many of us, the past resembles a shadow we can't escape. It lingers in our minds, subtly influencing our choices, our self-worth, and our actions. How often do we find ourselves replaying moments that hurt us, or wondering how different things might be if we had taken another path? I have periods when I often find myself reflecting on these things, but, thankfully, with time I realized that while the past is significant and helps shape the contours of my identity, I must not let it become the sole author of my future. This realization made me understand the truth that the past is just a chapter in my life, not the entire book. A snapshot in time, not the whole story.

Yet, many of us get stuck (I got stuck as well, for so many times...). We fall into the trap of revisiting old wounds, regretting decisions we can no longer change, and dwelling on times when we wished we had been stronger, braver, or more prepared. The past can start to feel like a prison, one where the bars are made of guilt, shame, and even nostalgia for a version of ourselves that no longer exists.

I believe that the reason why we keep falling into this cycle is because of our human desire to belong and to go to the environments where we find the most comfort. The past is such an environment as it is familiar. It is something we've already survived. The future, though, is uncertain, full of unknowns and new challenges. Thus, we cling to the past, even when it's painful because it feels safer and more comfortable than stepping into the unpredictability of what lies ahead. We convince ourselves that our past failures (not just in business, but also in our personal lives – past relationships, experiences, etc.), or even our past successes, are indicators of what our future will hold. And this is how we allow our history to define our future, our destiny.

What we must realize is that just because something has happened, doesn't mean it gets to or has to define who we are today. Our mistakes, our regrets, and even our darkest moments shouldn't be seen as chains that bind us, but rather as lessons that we can learn from, if we choose to. We have the power to step out of the old narratives we've been telling ourselves and write new ones, at any given moment. To me, freedom is about being at peace in your mind, body, and soul, and I believe that what I've said previously is part of the beginning of true freedom: a conscious choice to acknowledge the past for what it is, but a refusal to let it dictate the choices we make going forward.

I want you to take a moment and reflect on how much of your identity is wrapped up in the things that have already happened. How much do you define yourself by your past roles, past relationships, or past achievements or failures? It's my belief that when we hold too tightly to these things, we limit our ability to grow. We trap ourselves in the comfort of familiarity, even when it's no longer serving us. Did it ever, though?

Let's consider a person who once failed in their career. They've carried that failure with them for years, allowing it to color their self-image and inform every decision they make. They've convinced themselves they're not capable of success because they didn't achieve it in the past. But what did that failure represent? What was it in the present, in reality? It was just a moment – a learning opportunity – but because they let it define them, they've unknowingly become stuck, making it a present, and a future. They're afraid to take risks, to put themselves out there again, because the fear of repeating that failure outweighs their desire to grow.

Now let's look at someone who didn't fail, but experienced success early in life and now lives with the pressure to live up to that version of themselves. They feel trapped by and in the need to maintain a certain image or replicate past achievements, even if it no longer aligns with who they are or what they want.

Can you see the common thread in both situations? Both persons cling too much to the past, to the comfort which with time becomes a huge discomfort. They attach too much to what has happened before, instead of focusing on what can happen now, and tomorrow. For them, the past represents a limiting force, something that stifles their growth rather than encouraging it. It has become the author of their stories. But, just for them?

The truth is, we are not static beings. We are on a constant journey of evolving and becoming. The person you were five years ago, or even a year ago, is not the person you are today. Our past selves may have made decisions or faced situations based on limited knowledge, but each day brings new insights, new perspectives, new opportunities for growth. We add a new thread to the tapestry that we are with each day that goes by. But, more often than not, we decide to hold on to who we were, and rob ourselves of the chance to become who we're meant to be...

When you realize this, it means that the moment to rewrite your story has come. The entire idea of not allowing your past to define your story isn't about denying it or pretending it didn't happen. It's about accepting and embracing it fully, but refusing to let it have the final say in who you are and what you can do next. You can't change the events of your past, but you can change the meaning you attach to them.

I feel like so many of us look at the past not as a reference point but rather as a roadmap... Just consider how your life would look if you started seeing it the other way. A reference point helps guide you but doesn't restrict you. It informs your journey but doesn't predetermine where you'll go next. It gets you closer to the freedom that comes with acknowledging your history while embracing the truth that you are in control of your present and future. You are the author of your current and next chapter.

Small, intentional decisions – this is what has worked for me when I started rewriting my story, and what may work for you. It starts with recognizing the moments when you're letting the past influence your present and then choosing a different purpose. For example, instead of automatically assuming it won't work or it will fail because it failed before, you can remind yourself of the insights and person you've become since then. It's about shifting your perspective and reclaiming your power to shape your narrative.

We need to realize that we are always in a state of becoming. The person you are today is not the same person you'll be a year from now. Want to know what this means? It signifies that you have the capacity to grow, to evolve, and to redefine yourself in many ways you may not have imagined before. But, to do that, you must be willing to let go of the stories you've been telling yourself about who you are and what you're capable of. You must be willing to challenge the narratives that no longer serve you.

It's not easy at all. I know. It's way too easy to stay in the comfort of old habits and familiar patterns (even when they hold us back) than to let go and find the space to grow. But our true potential resides and can only be discovered when we find the courage to release what no longer serves us.

Your past will always be a part of your story; this is something that cannot be changed, but it doesn't get to write the ending. And this is something up to you. You have the power to decide what comes next. And you don't have to do it all at once. You can't change yourself completely at once. It's a gradual process, one that happens over time through small, everyday choices. It's about showing up for yourself consistently and reminding yourself that your past does not define your future.

We all have a past. We need to learn how to live with it. We can let it inform us, guide us, strengthen us as we move forward but not let it dictate who we are. We have the power to choose to acknowledge its role in shaping us while refusing to be bound by it. And you need to remember that the most exciting part of your story hasn't been written yet. And do you know what's the best part of it? You get to decide what happens next.

Thus, the next time you find yourself dwelling on your past, having it influence your present and future chapters, remember that it's just one chapter. Your story is far from over. You are more than the sum of your past mistakes or failed experiences, more than your regrets, more than your old fears. You are a living, breathing work of art in progress, capable of growth, transformation, and endless possibilities.

The past may be part of your story, but it doesn't get to define the rest of it. The choice is yours!

We need to be more than empty vessels. We need to start navigating the media landscape more consciously, engage in introspective practices, and foster more genuine connections.

These, I believe, are some of the only ways of freeing ourselves of the external influences that have taken over our souls and rediscovering our true selves. And remember, even though often overshadowed, our essence is always worth uncovering and celebrating

We need to become more than just a newspaper…

Papier-mâché.🌹

The Visual:

The Textual:

Thank you for reading!

Have a blessed day!🌹

Eduard🌹